Chechnya Says It Will Jail Illegal Crypto Miners ‘Like Terrorists’

CryptoNews_

Crypto Mining Russia

North Caucasus republic will ban crypto mining from January 1, 2025 Last updated:

December 30, 2025 22:00 EST

Author

Tim Alper

Author

Tim Alper

About Author

Tim Alper is a British journalist and features writer who has worked at Cryptonews.com since 2018. He has written for media outlets such as the BBC, the Guardian, and Chosun Ilbo. He has also worked...

Author Profile

Copied

Last updated:

December 30, 2025 22:00 EST

Why Trust Cryptonews Cryptonews has covered the cryptocurrency industry topics since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights to our readers. Our journalists and analysts have extensive experience in market analysis and blockchain technologies. We strive to maintain high editorial standards, focusing on factual accuracy and balanced reporting across all areas - from cryptocurrencies and blockchain projects to industry events, products, and technological developments. Our ongoing presence in the industry reflects our commitment to delivering relevant information in the evolving world of digital assets. Read more about Cryptonews

Ad DisclosureWe believe in full transparency with our readers. Some of our content includes affiliate links, and we may earn a commission through these partnerships. Read more

Chechnya’s government will treat illegal crypto miners “like terrorists,” and will jail residents found mining tokens like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH).

The claims came from the Chechnya-based State Duma lawmaker Adam Delimkhanov. The MP was speaking in the wake of a recent decision to ban crypto mining in Chechnya and nine other Moscow-controlled regions.

Delimkhanov said he was speaking on behalf of the Chechen Head of State Ramzan Kadyrov.

Chechnya ‘to Equate Illegal Crypto Mining With Terrorism’

The ban comes into force on January 1, 2025. It will give energy providers, police, and prosecutors new powers to fight illegal miners.

The Chechen Head of State Ramzan Kadyrov with Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Source: @KremlinRussia_E/X)Per Tsargrad TV, Delimkhanov said the ban would help boost the stability of electricity supplies for “ordinary residents” of Chechnya.

The lawmaker said that if illegal crypto mining “leads to problems with electricity in a district, village, or city,” the Chechen authorities will respond quickly.

“Those responsible for this will be subject to severe punishment. We will equate them with terrorists, since their actions harm the whole of society.”

State Duma Lawmaker Adam Delimkhanov

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for vowing to block Russian gas flows to avoid supporting Russia’s war against his country.

— Bloomberg (@business) December 30, 2024

Bitcoin, Ethereum Focus

Crypto industry insiders have told Russian media outlets that most industrial miners (over 90%) focus their efforts on mining Bitcoin.

However, Cryptonews.com has seen evidence that suggests many small-scale home-based miners in the Russian Federation prefer to mine ETH.

“Mr. Kadyrov pays great attention to the energy situation. He wants to ensure a stable energy supply for residents.”

State Duma Lawmaker Adam Delimkhanov

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev urged Russia to take responsibility and compensate the victims of the passenger plane crash that killed 38 onboard. He said the aircraft was damaged by accidental shooting over Russian airspace pic.twitter.com/qxzkQ9JGId

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 29, 2024

Power shortages have blighted the Nothern Caucasus region for years, particularly in the winter months.

Energy firms say illegal crypto miners are to blame for this, with many allegedly using “illegal” connections to local grids.

In the neighboring republic of Dagestan, the local government has pleaded with residents to “consider” their “fellow countryfolk” and power down their rigs.

The republic has followed up with crackdowns on illegal crypto miners. Similar crackdowns are also in place in parts of Siberia, where even public officials have been caught illegally mining crypto.

A quarter of a century ago Boris Yeltsin told Vladimir Putin to "take care of Russia."
Has he?
My piece for @BBCNews

— Steve Rosenberg (@BBCSteveR) December 29, 2024

AI-powered Solution to Mining Issue?

Earlier this year, Russian scientists claimed they had created an AI-powered solution that lets energy providers track down illegal crypto miners.

The solution works with smart meters to detect unusual power flows. These alert engineers, flagging households suspected of operating illegally connected crypto mining hardware.

In other parts of Russia, private mining is now legal if residents do not exceed a 6,000 kWh monthly power usage threshold.

Trending News Price PredictionsRecommended Articles

Trump Appoints PayPal Veteran David Sacks as ‘White House AI and Crypto Czar’
Fox Host Calls Out XRP Supporters – Massive Backlash Erupts Online
XRP to Overtake BTC and ETH Crypto Analyst Points to $1.5 Trillion Market Cap
German Ex-Finance Minister Advocates ECB to Include Bitcoin into Reserves
Hong Kong Legislator Proposes Adding Bitcoin to National Reserves for Financial Security

Bitcoin News

Michael Saylor Likely to Purchase More Bitcoin Before 2024 Ends, Teases a BTC Chart

2024-12-30 06:20:10, by Sujha Sundararajan

Features

Revealed: The Biggest Threats Facing Crypto in 2025

2024-12-28 11:27:51, by Connor Sephton

Features

2025 Crypto Predictions in Europe: Experts Reveal MiCA’s Impact

2024-12-29 12:46:47, by Connor Sephton

Bitcoin News

MicroStrategy Continues Bitcoin Buying Spree, Acquires 2,138 BTC

2024-12-30 14:57:52, by Veronika Rinecker