Tajikistan Imposes Draconian Penalties on Illegal Crypto Mining Operations
Tajikistan's parliament has enacted sweeping legislation targeting unauthorized cryptocurrency mining, imposing fines up to 37,000 somoni for individuals and 75,000 somoni for organized groups. The amended Criminal Code carries prison sentences ranging from 2-8 years for electricity theft tied to mining operations.
The crackdown comes as energy shortages plague the Central Asian nation, with illegal mining operations exacerbating grid strain. Authorities specifically cite concerns about tax evasion and money laundering through crypto assets.
While the law doesn't ban regulated mining, the punitive measures signal growing government hostility toward uncontrolled crypto operations. The legislation follows similar moves by neighboring Kazakhstan, where illegal mining accounted for 7% of total electricity consumption before regulations tightened.
