Tajikistan criminalizes illegal crypto mining
Tajikistan imposed criminal penalties for the illegal use of electricity to mine cryptocurrency, adopting new amendments to the Criminal Code
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan (MNTV) — Tajikistan has imposed criminal penalties for the illegal use of electricity to mine cryptocurrency, adopting new amendments to the Criminal Code amid chronic seasonal power shortages.
On Dec. 3, lawmakers approved Article 253(2), titled “Illegal use of electricity for the production of virtual assets.”
The law sets fines ranging from $1,650 to $8,250 and prison sentences of two to eight years, depending on the scale of the offense, The Times of Central Asia reported.
Using stolen electricity for mining now carries fines of $1,650 to $4,070. Coordinated group activity triggers penalties of $4,125 to $8,250 or two to five years in prison. Offenses involving organized groups or “particularly large-scale” theft may result in five to eight years’ imprisonment.
Attorney General Khabibullo Vokhidzoda, who introduced the bill, said unregulated mining has already contributed to outages and related criminal activity. Damages from unauthorized operations have reached $3.52 million, and several criminal cases are under investigation. Authorities have discovered smuggled mining equipment and illegal connections to the national grid.
Member of Parliament Shukhrat Ganizoda said mining farms place significant strain on the country’s power system. “A typical ASIC consumes up to 3.5 kWh, while more powerful models use 5–6 kWh. Large farms run thousands of these devices, placing an enormous load on the electrical system,” he said, adding that operators often bypass meters to cut costs.
The law also aims to curb tax evasion schemes and illicit data encryption linked to unregistered mining operations.
The measure will take effect once signed by President Emomali Rahmon and published in state media. Tajikistan had previously tightened penalties for electricity theft and non-payment, which currently carry fines of $2,970 to $9,900 or prison terms of three to ten years.
The crackdown comes during an intensified autumn-winter energy crisis, with some regions receiving only two to four hours of electricity per day. Officials hope stricter enforcement will reduce illegal consumption and ease pressure on the grid.
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