Central bank deputy details Iran Wallet activation: dial #98* USSD code, no bank visit required

A deputy governor of the Central Bank of Iran detailed on Thursday, August 6, 2026, how citizens can activate the new Iran Wallet service, speaking on state television. He said users do not need to visit a bank branch in person: dialing the USSD code #98* from a mobile number registered in their own name is enough to activate the wallet. He added that the service's main use is quick, simple money transfers between individuals using only the recipient's phone number, with both sender and receiver notified once a transfer succeeds. The official said user profiles have already been created for about 90 million citizens, covering nearly all holders of a bank account in Iran, and the only remaining step is linking each person's registered mobile number to their national ID to unlock full access to the wallet.