The operator of a cryptocurrency mining farm will face penalties for not being listed in the registry of Russian miners., 2026/02/16 17:15:00

A 39-year-old resident of the village of Zelenets in the Syktyvdin district of the Republic of Komi has set up a mining farm in a shed on his property. The Russian Federal Security Service has stated that the farmer was engaged in cryptocurrency mining illegally.

The individual began mining cryptocurrency in August of last year without registering, according to law enforcement, in the miners’ registry. He secretly connected his equipment to the village’s power grid “to reduce electricity costs.”

Energy specialists estimated the damage caused to the energy supply organization by the miner at approximately 6 million rubles. Police officers confiscated the equipment used for cryptocurrency mining from the farmer. A criminal case has been initiated against the man under part 2 of Article 165 of the Criminal Code (“Causing property damage through deception or abuse of trust”).

In Russia, the registry of miners and operators of mining infrastructure began operating on November 1, 2024. Legal entities and individual entrepreneurs engaged in cryptocurrency mining, as well as those providing services to miners, are required to register. Individuals can mine cryptocurrency without registration, provided they consume no more than 6,000 kWh per month. Energy and law enforcement officials from Komi did not specify the capacity of the farm that was dismantled in Zelenets.

Previously, specialists from the company “Rosseti” reported that a mining farm was hidden in the overgrowth of hogweed in the village of Podvyaznovo in the Yaroslavl region, with total damage to the energy sector amounting to 8.2 million rubles.