Zanjani Launches Private Gold Market Despite Central Bank Warnings
August 24, 2026
By Arezoo Karimi
Almost one year after Babak Zanjani’s gold shipment was taken, he now starts a private sales site for gold bars. The Central Bank of Iran warned him against this. His new plan has made many people worry about legal, rule, and money matters in Iran’s strict gold and money markets.
Background: A Controversial Figure in Iran’s Gold Market
Babak Zanjani is a well-known figure with a troubled past. He has faced strong government checks because he was linked to breaking sanctions, large debts, and other money crimes. Last year, Iranian officials took away a shipment of gold bars marked with his "DotOne" brand. Soon after, the Central Bank said that only it can control Iran’s money and gold markets.
After that move, the bank said clearly that Zanjani and his companies do not have any permit to work with money exchange or gold sales. The bank said that any claims of legal work by Zanjani’s groups have no basis in Iranian law.
The Launch of DotOne Gold
On July 22, 2025, Babak Zanjani showed off the "DotOne Gold" site. On this site, one can buy gold bars that range in size from 1 gram to 1 troy ounce. The gold has a purity of 24 karats (999.9 fine). Prices change in real time according to world prices.
The launch came with a strong push in ads all over Tehran. People order online at dotone.gold. A company called "PostEx" handles the transport of the gold. It promises insured delivery of the gold right to customers.
Zanjani openly mocks officials at the Central Bank, including its governor, Mohammad Reza Farzin. He says that older managers stop new ideas in the economy. His bold move competes directly with gold auctions held by the bank.
Legal and Regulatory Challenges
The DotOne Gold site raises many rule questions. The site does not have the Electronic Trust Mark (Enamad). Enamad is a needed approval from Iran’s E-Commerce Development Center. This mark helps secure online payments and protect buyers.
Without Enamad, payments on DotOne Gold are not supported by standard payment systems or Iran’s online rules. Buyers must use mobile banking or go to a bank in person. This situation is odd for a site with many transactions.
This gap shows a difference in rule checks. Small websites may lose their payment rights quickly, but DotOne Gold keeps handling large money deals without the needed checks.
Central Bank Monopoly Over Gold
Iranian law lets the Central Bank control gold coin issues and gold bar supply. Even though private companies can import or make gold bars, only approved channels can set prices and sell them. These channels include the Iran Currency and Gold Exchange Center and the Iran Mercantile Exchange.
Any gold sale outside these channels is illegal. Buyers may face risks in such cases. Also, sales are meant for groups like jewelry makers, industrial users, wholesalers, and licensed banks.
The bank’s control helps keep the gold market steady and guard the public from fraud or dangerous money moves. Zanjani’s entry into this market, given his past and legal issues, upsets the order set by the bank.
Official Responses and Public Concerns
The head of the Iran Currency and Gold Exchange Center said that the Central Bank is the only group in charge of money and gold markets. Officials from the bank have called Zanjani a "fraudster and mega-debtor." They urge him to clear his debts instead of trying to shape money policy.
Public fundraising and money moves like paying out profits need direct bank permission or must go through licensed banks. DotOne Gold says it sells a physical product—gold—but its lack of clear rule approval and honesty causes worry. Many fear that any market shake-up or business loss will hurt buyers and the overall economy.
Conclusion
Babak Zanjani has joined the private gold market with strong backing from his own business network. His DotOne Gold works in a gray area without basic approvals or permits. It uses complex company setups to keep its work going even after clear bank warnings.
The move brings up many questions about fair rule checks, buyer protection, and the effects of letting a troubled figure work in an important money sector. As the gold market shifts with these pressures, Iranian rules may soon need sharper checks to protect the public.
