Tajikistan reports $3.5M loss from illegal Bitcoin mining, prompting stricter penalties, equipment seizures, and upcoming crypto regulatory reforms.
Tajikistan has reported significant losses due to illegal Bitcoin mining. The country’s Attorney General, Khabibullo Vokhidzoda, revealed that over $3.52 million was lost in the first half of 2025. This damage stems from miners illegally using electricity. These losses have forced the state to foot the costs to the energy providers. The problem is creating anxiety in the country.
According to a local media report, Vokhidzoda addressed the press conference recently. He said that people are bringing mining machinery in the country. Such individuals are cryptocurrency mine operators. The Attorney General observed that four to five criminal cases have been launched against them. It demonstrates the extent of the issue.
In addition, the mining of cryptocurrencies is not regulated in Tajikistan. Nevertheless, the government shut down mining farms regularly. Such farms can be located in households and enterprises. Recently, the Prosecutor’s Office of Sughd region uncovered these illegal operations. Consequently, authorities have imposed penalties on those involved. Moreover, these ongoing efforts demonstrate the government’s commitment to regulating the activity.
Going forward, the theft of electricity is a great concern. This period, subscribers are in debt of 273 million TJS in unpaid electricity bills. The national debt of electricity is 4.6 billion TJS. The population owes 1.6 billion TJS out of that. The others are through enterprises and organizations. These debts increase the financial burden.
Moreover, the government has made the punishments stricter. Last several months, illegal electricity use fines have been augmented. Penalties for crime were also introduced against payment evasion. The Criminal Code of Tajikistan provides punishments of a fine in between 27,000 to 90,000 TJS to violators. The punishment could be imprisonment of 3 to 10 years. Administrative penalties stipulated in the Code of Administrative Offenses are within 1,500 and 22,500 somoni.
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Transitioning to the impact, this crackdown aims to deter illegal mining. The country’s energy grid is crippled, and illegal mining is worsening power shortages, especially in rural areas. Recently, authorities in the Sughd region confiscated 135 mining devices. This step recouped more than 30,000 dollars in damage. These measures are on the rise.
Moreover, no regulation leads to difficulties. The legal status of cryptocurrency is ambiguous, and this puzzles the citizens. Others regard mining as a means of getting money. Nevertheless, it is resource-consuming and destructive to the economy. New legislation are under consideration by the government. Analysts indicate that a regulatory regime would be the answer to strike a balance between innovation and security.
Tajik government will increase the surveillance. They are also trying to save illegal mining in future. This may include tighter border controls on the importation of equipment. People are waiting to get additional information.
To sum up, the fact that Tajikistan loses 3.5 million due to illegal Bitcoin mining is a very severe situation. The government is acting by imposing fines and jailing. In addition, the situation is complicated by the electricity debts and power shortages. The country is optimistic that this problem will be curbed with the new regulations on the horizon. The case can have effects on other countries that experience the same problems.
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