Russia prepares to amend laws to penalize unauthorized cryptocurrency miners

2026-01-02 01:24:58

Source: PortaldoBitcoin Original Title: Russia Prepares Legal Changes to Punish Unauthorized Cryptocurrency Miners Original Link: https://portaldobitcoin.uol.com.br/russia-prepara-mudanca-na-lei-para-punir-mineradores-de-criptomoedas-nao-autorizados/ The Russian Ministry of Justice has proposed introducing criminal penalties—including imprisonment—to combat the country’s illegal cryptocurrency mining activities. The measure is included in the draft amendments to the country’s Criminal Code.

According to the proposal, the goal is to establish criminal liability for cryptocurrency mining conducted outside the legal framework that will take effect in 2024. These changes will affect the Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation, creating new specific provisions on this subject.

The project introduces Article 171.6, titled “Illegal Digital Currency Mining and Mining Infrastructure Operator Activities.” Mining conducted by individuals or entities not registered in the official miner registry will be defined as illegal. If the activity causes significant harm to citizens, businesses, or the state, or generates income exceeding 3.5 million rubles (approximately 240,000 BRL), liability should be imposed.

The prescribed penalties include fines of up to 1.5 million rubles, forced labor for up to two years, or up to 480 hours of community service. In aggravating circumstances—such as operations conducted by organized groups or generating particularly high income—penalties can reach five years of imprisonment, along with additional fines.

The second part of the bill states that crimes with income exceeding 13.5 million rubles may result in fines ranging from 500,000 to 2.5 million rubles, or fines equivalent to one to three years of the offender’s income, combined with forced labor or imprisonment.

Russia’s Mining

The proposal was made after the legalization of cryptocurrency mining in Russia in November 2024. Since then, the Federal Tax Service has required miners to register and report mining assets monthly. By May 2025, over 1,000 participants had registered.

Reports indicate that Russia’s crackdown is also related to energy theft. State-owned company Rosseti stated that due to illegal mining, losses exceeded 1.3 billion rubles in 2024, which has already triggered dozens of criminal investigations.

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