Iran Shuts Down 100+ Illegal Crypto Farms Amid Nationwide Crackdown

Iran's cryptocurrency mining sector has spiraled into a large-scale illegal operation, with authorities estimating that over 95% of active mining devices operate without authorization. Akbar Hasan Beklou, head of the Tehran Province Electricity Distribution Company, revealed that Iran has become the world's fourth-largest crypto mining hub, driven by extremely low electricity costs. These subsidies have created a haven for illegal miners, who exploit cheap power and disguise operations behind industrial fronts.

Illicit miners collectively draw more than 1,400 megawatts of power continuously, straining the national grid and threatening electricity supplies. Many operations masquerade as legitimate factories to tap into discounted energy rates. In response, the government has launched nationwide raids, dismantling 104 illegal facilities in Tehran Province alone and seizing over 1,400 machines—equipment consuming enough power to supply nearly 10,000 households.

Investigators uncovered mining rigs hidden in basements, tunnels, and factory lines connected to subsidized electricity. The crackdown highlights the tension between Iran's cheap energy resources and the unregulated growth of crypto mining.