![EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on their ability to report, film or take pictures in Tehran.
A general view of housing complexes in northwestern Tehran on a clear day February 12, 2011. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl (IRAN - Tags: CITYSCAPE ENVIRONMENT) - GM1E72C1NY001](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/07/RTR2IHNH.jpg/RTR2IHNH.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=Ul9UMCYX)
Maziar Motamedi is an Iranian financial journalist based in Tehran. He covers Iran's banks, the foreign exchange market, insurance, financial tech and housing.
![EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on their ability to report, film or take pictures in Tehran.
A general view of housing complexes in northwestern Tehran on a clear day February 12, 2011. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl (IRAN - Tags: CITYSCAPE ENVIRONMENT) - GM1E72C1NY001](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/07/RTR2IHNH.jpg/RTR2IHNH.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=Ul9UMCYX)
![EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on leaving the office to report, film or take pictures in Tehran.
A money changer holds Iranian rial banknotes as he waits for customers in Tehran's business district January 7, 2012. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi (IRAN - Tags: BUSINESS) - GM1E8171GCD01](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/06/RTR2VZCL.jpg/RTR2VZCL.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=jlHWV044)
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Maziar Motamedi
![Iranian musicians perform during a concert at the Interior Ministry building in Tehran April 24, 2008. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl (IRAN) - GM1E44P0EH701](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/06/RTR1ZUUW.jpg/RTR1ZUUW.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=Hups5Iew)
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Maziar Motamedi
![A general view of the Central Bank of Iran building in Tehran January 23, 2006. Iran's central bank has not implemented any measures in preparation for U.N. action over its atomic programme because it does not believe sanctions will be imposed, the bank said on Monday. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl - RP3DSFDOPYAA](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/05/RTR18RHP.jpg/RTR18RHP.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=83-PSimd)
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Maziar Motamedi
![RTR18RHP.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/04/RTR18RHP.jpg/RTR18RHP.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=oxA0-Vbc)
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Maziar Motamedi
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Maziar Motamedi
![Representations of the Ripple, Bitcoin, Etherum and Litecoin virtual currencies are seen on a PC motherboard in this illustration picture, February 13, 2018. Picture is taken February 13, 2018. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration - RC1993E31370](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/03/RTX4WSKN.jpg/RTX4WSKN.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=XsHbFXF1)
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Maziar Motamedi
![Representations of the Ripple, Bitcoin, Etherum and Litecoin virtual currencies are seen on a PC motherboard in this illustration picture, February 13, 2018. Picture is taken February 13, 2018. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration - RC1993E31370](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/02/RTX4WSKN.jpg/RTX4WSKN.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=y3ByG0tW)
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Maziar Motamedi
![A money changer displays U.S. and Iranian banknotes at the Grand Bazaar in central Tehran October 7, 2015. To match Insight IRAN-BANKING/ REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi/TIMA/File Photo ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. - S1BETSJMVNAC](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/02/RTSK9MM.jpg/RTSK9MM.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=e43O7hw3)
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Maziar Motamedi
![A bitcoin logo is seen at a facility of the Youth and Sports Ministry in Caracas, Venezuela February 23, 2018. REUTERS/Marco Bello - RC1F45F104A0](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/01/RTX4YON4.jpg/RTX4YON4.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=6O73Yg2V)
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Maziar Motamedi
![RTSQMK8.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2019/01/RTSQMK8.jpg/RTSQMK8.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=JeKTsK4G)
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Maziar Motamedi
![Esteghlal and Persepolis fans sit separately during their Iran Serie A soccer match at the Azadi (freedom) stadium in Tehran October 14, 2007. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl (IRAN) - GM1DWJHVHFAA](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2018/12/RTR1UX8B.jpg/RTR1UX8B.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=tfeMizBu)
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Maziar Motamedi