Bitcoin Mining Crackdown in Malaysia: A 300% Surge in Power Theft Cases

Malaysian authorities have reported a staggering 300% increase in electricity theft cases linked to illegal cryptocurrency mining operations. Joint raids conducted by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), the Energy Commission, and the police have uncovered 2,397 incidents in 2024 alone, a sharp rise from the 610 cases recorded in 2018. The energy-intensive nature of proof-of-work mining, particularly for Bitcoin, has created strong incentives for illegal operations to bypass legal electricity channels. This surge highlights the growing challenges regulators face in curbing unauthorized crypto mining activities and their impact on national energy infrastructure.

Malaysia Sees 300% Surge in Power Theft Linked to Illegal Crypto Mining

Malaysian authorities report a dramatic increase in electricity theft cases tied to unauthorized cryptocurrency mining operations. Joint raids by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), the Energy Commission, and police have uncovered 2,397 incidents in 2024 - a fourfold jump from 610 cases recorded in 2018.

The energy-intensive nature of proof-of-work mining, particularly for Bitcoin, creates strong incentives for illegal power connections. Utility officials note these operations often bypass metering systems, causing significant revenue losses and grid instability.

While the report doesn’t specify affected cryptocurrencies, the findings highlight ongoing challenges in regulating power consumption across proof-of-work networks. The crackdown reflects growing global scrutiny of crypto mining’s energy demands amid tightening electricity supplies.

Trump-Linked Bitcoin Miner American BTC to Go Public via Gryphon Merger

American Bitcoin, a Hut 8 majority-owned subsidiary with ties to the Trump family, is poised to enter public markets through a stock-for-stock merger with Gryphon Digital Mining. The combined entity will trade on Nasdaq under the ticker "ABTC" as early as Q3 2025, with American Bitcoin shareholders retaining 98% ownership post-transaction.

Hut 8 maintains strategic positioning through continued beneficial ownership while pivoting toward infrastructure service provision. The deal underscores growing institutional interest in bitcoin mining consolidation, particularly among politically connected ventures.

Crypto Bull Run Gains Momentum as Bitcoin Nears All-Time High

Bitcoin’s surge past $104,000 signals the start of a broader crypto rally, with analysts projecting unprecedented price targets. BlackRock forecasts a long-term valuation of $700,000, while Ark Invest’s bullish scenario suggests $2.4 million. The emergence of a cup-and-handle pattern—a 32% depth formation implying a $142,000 technical target—adds fuel to the optimism.

Altcoins are poised to mirror Bitcoin’s upward trajectory. Market participants anticipate a domino effect across major tokens as institutional confidence grows. The current rally follows a prolonged accumulation phase, with on-chain metrics now reflecting robust network activity and whale accumulation.

MicroStrategy Adds $1.34 Billion in Bitcoin to Its Treasury Holdings

Michael Saylor’s Strategy—formerly MicroStrategy—has bolstered its Bitcoin treasury with another significant purchase. The company acquired 13,390 BTC between May 5 and May 11, spending approximately $1.34 billion at an average price of $99,856 per Bitcoin. This brings its total holdings to 568,840 BTC, valued at roughly $59 billion.

The MOVE underscores MicroStrategy’s unwavering commitment to Bitcoin as a core treasury asset. With a year-to-date yield of 15.5% on its Bitcoin investments, the company continues to lead corporate adoption of cryptocurrency. No other public company holds more Bitcoin on its balance sheet.

How to Use Bitcoin ETF Inflows to Make Money Automatically

Bitcoin ETF inflows are reshaping market dynamics, offering sharp opportunities for those who can interpret institutional signals. On April 29, 2025, a $590 million surge from giants like BlackRock triggered an immediate BTC price reaction—proof that capital moves markets faster than retail anticipation.

The key lies in decoding order book imbalances. ETF flows create asymmetric liquidity events, where algorithmic strategies can front-run gradual price adjustments. This isn’t passive investing; it’s about leveraging infrastructure that converts raw inflow data into executable trades.