Key Highlights
- Tajikistan is pushing for criminal penalties for individuals mining Bitcoin using stolen electricity.
- Large-scale illegal mining can result in prison terms of 5 to 8 years.
- Officials said illegal mining has caused power outages and $3.5–4.26 million in damages.
Tajikistan’s parliament has introduced new rules to punish individuals who mine cryptocurrencies using electricity stolen from the national grid. The changes introduce Article 253(2) to the Criminal Code, setting fines between $1,650 and $8,250 or prison sentences of two to five years for violators.
Those caught using power for crypto mining on an “especially large scale” could face five to eight years in prison, according to a report by Asia-Plus.
Electricity theft causing major problems
The amendments were reviewed and adopted on December 3 and presented by Attorney General Khabibullo Vokhidzoda. He warned that electricity theft by crypto miners in several cities has already caused regional power outages.
“The illegal circulation of virtual assets facilitates a number of crimes, such as the theft of electricity, material damage to the state, money laundering, and other offenses,” said Vokhidzoda.
Authorities estimate that illegal crypto mining has caused financial damage of 32 million somoni (about $3.52 million), leading to four to five criminal cases. Some miners have reportedly imported equipment from abroad, which breaks national laws. By August 2025, there were 190 criminal cases involving 3,988 people, linked to roughly $4.26 million in damages.
Thousands of devices connected without permission
Lawmaker Shukhrat Ganizoda said miners often connect thousands of ASIC devices to the electricity grid illegally. “Those committing such crimes seek to use electricity without meters or through other illegal means to produce such assets,” he said. The amendments also aim to stop miners from avoiding taxes and using crypto in ways that bypass state rules.
Tajikistan gets almost 95% of its electricity from hydropower, but winter months bring low water levels, which makes power shortages worse. After China banned crypto mining in 2021, some miners from Russia and other countries moved to Central Asia. They were attracted by cheap electricity and relaxed rules, which made illegal mining more common.
The law will take effect once President Emomali Rahmon signs it and it is published in the official gazette. Officials say the rules will protect the electricity system, stop large losses, and make sure crypto mining follows the law. They also hope it will prevent illegal profits and crimes connected to digital assets.
Also Read: Russia’s Top Economist Calls Bitcoin Mining an Underrated Export
