Economic Research and Perspectives

Economic Research and Perspectives

Mapping Income Generation through Digital Currencies in Iran Using the Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA) Approach

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
Hasan Arabameri 1
Mansour Momeni 2
Mahmoud Dehghan Nayeri 3
1 Ph.D. Student in Industrial Management, Faculty of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2 Professor, Department of Industrial Management, Faculty of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran,Iran
3 Associate Professor, Department of Industrial Management, Faculty of Management and Economics, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran. Iran
10.48311/ecor.2025.27935
Abstract
Abstract
Iran is a vast country endowed with abundant natural and God-given resources—including oil, gas, minerals, seas, and forests—that create substantial potential for economic development. However, a new global phenomenon, namely digital currencies, particularly the cryptocurrency mining industry, has emerged as an area that, given Iran’s economic conditions, should be considered by the government as a major source of national income. In recent years, the issue of digital currencies, owing to their decentralized nature, has become one of the country’s important strategies for revenue generation. The purpose of this study is to map out strategies for generating income from digital currencies using the Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA) approach. During the implementation of SODA’s six main stages, the researchers collected qualitative data through expert interviews and developed and analyzed the final map using Explorer Decision software. Accordingly, six key strategic options for income generation were identified: 1) Large-scale investment in the construction and procurement of equipment required for digital currencies, 2) Formulation of new policies and guidelines for digital currencies, 3) Establishment of support and investment funds, 4) Implementation of an appropriate taxation and insurance system, 5) Development of infrastructure and technological platforms, and 6) Promotion of international discourse to expand global trade exchanges. By focusing on these options, specific strategies were developed for each to strengthen the key themes of the final map and, at a higher level, to achieve the intended goals.
Aim and Introduction:
Iran is a vast country rich in natural and God-given resources such as oil, gas, mines, sea and forest, which always creates potential for the economic development of the country, but a new phenomenon called digital currencies and especially the cryptocurrency mining industry in It has been suggested to the world that according to Iran's economic conditions, it is necessary to be considered as a main source of income for the country under consideration. In recent years, the topic of digital currencies, due to its decentralized nature, can be one of the country's important strategies for earning money. Therefore, considering the current conditions of the country, earning money through digital currencies is introduced as the main goal of this research. Achieving this goal is realized by mapping a complete map of the current state of the country and digital currencies, and by using the strategic options analysis and development (SODA) approach. During the implementation of the six main stages of SODA, researchers collected research data through interviews with experts and drew and analyzed the final map using Explorer Decision software. Based on this: the goals, important issues and key options affecting earning money through digital currencies were identified and finally six key options were determined that would enable the realization of the goals and important issues. Also, focusing on these options, strategies were developed and presented for each one.
Methodology:
In terms of research philosophy, the current research is a qualitative research with an inductive approach, and in terms of orientation, because the research is done with the aim of enjoying the results of the findings to solve the existing problems in a specific field, it is applied. In this research, due to the intertwined nature of the problem and the emphasis on framing the problem and providing an agreed solution and commitment, the strategic options analysis and development.
Results and Discussion:
Considering the agreed plan; 1- Big investment in the construction and purchase of devices and equipment needed for digital currencies 2- New policies and guidelines for digital currencies 3- Formation of support and investment funds 4- Applying appropriate tax and insurance system 5- Development of infrastructures and technological platforms 6- Development of international discourse in order to expand commercial exchanges with other countries, have the greatest impact on the most key issue identified in the previous stage, i.e. "Development of exchanges, Iranian platforms and the formation of a national cryptocurrency". and are considered as important options. In the strategic options analysis and development approach, as the name suggests, our focus should be on strengthening these key options that have a significant impact on important issues, and important issues also lead to achieving the goal at a higher level.
Conclusion:
From the point of view of researchers, the government should seriously support blockchain and cryptocurrency technology, because blockchain and cryptocurrency technology, due to the use of a distributed database and lack of control by a central system, can open the way for governments under sanctions to deal with financial sanctions and be a bank, although this effect is not comprehensive. This issue will create a new opportunity in the field of internet businesses, fintech and the use of various types of distributed application software. Therefore, legislation is the first priority. Currently, due to the growing nature of this technology and the lack of complete and clear laws and policies in the countries of the world, a cautious and at the same time supportive policy should be provided for the use of cryptocurrencies and to create the basis for the growth and development of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies in the country.
Keywords
Digital Currencies
Iran&‌‌rsquo
s Economic Conditions
Mapping
Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA)

Subjects

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