Bitcoin News Today: Illegal Bitcoin Miners in Ingushetia Steal $4.3M in Electricity in H1 2025

Illegal miners operating in the Russian Bitcoin mining hotspot of Ingushetia have stolen electricity valued at approximately $4.3 million in the first half of 2025, according to Rosseti, a state-controlled power company. The firm reported that over 94% of the electricity stolen in the region during this period was attributed to unlicensed cryptocurrency mining operations. The total unaccounted electricity consumption in Ingushetia was recorded at 37.5 million kWh, equivalent to more than $4.4 million [1].

Rosseti stated that the majority of the stolen electricity—35.4 million kWh—was siphoned off by illegal mining farms. According to the report, four large illicit mining operations were identified and reportedly shut down, with 450 mining rigs seized by authorities. The power company also noted that its specialists had identified 177 cases of illegal electricity usage in the first half of the year [1].

To combat the growing problem, energy providers in the region have deployed advanced technologies such as drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras to detect hidden mining operations. In Dagestan, power firms have introduced bonus incentives for staff who uncover underground mining sites. These efforts reflect a broader strategy to enforce existing laws and reduce the economic and infrastructural impact of unregulated mining [1].

Crypto mining remains illegal in Ingushetia during the winter months, with restrictions set to last until March 15, 2031. Despite these regulations, Bitcoin mining continues to thrive in the region, drawing significant criticism for contributing to frequent power outages. In neighboring areas, such as Abkhazia, the proliferation of crypto mining hardware has become so widespread that entire villages are reportedly filled with the sound of whirring machines [1].

Russian legislation allows small-scale crypto mining—under 6,000 kWh per month—without mandatory tax reporting. However, large-scale operations that fail to register with the Federal Tax Service may face criminal penalties under new regulatory proposals. Industry insiders estimate that nearly 90% of industrial crypto miners in Russia focus on Bitcoin [1].

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Source: [1] [Illegal Miners in Russian Bitcoin Mining Hotspot Stole $4.3M of Electricity in H1 2025](https://cryptonews.com/news/illegal-miners-in-russian-bitcoin-mining-hotspot-have-stolen-4-3m-worth-of-electricity-in-2025/)