Catenaa, Thursday, May 06, 2025-Russia top anti-money laundering agency is pushing to impose criminal penalties on illegal cryptocurrency mining, aiming to curb its use in laundering illicit funds, officials said last week.
The Federal Financial Monitoring Service, known as Rosfinmonitoring, has drafted a proposal with backing from the Finance Ministry and the Central Bank.
The plan would expand current laws to include both administrative and criminal liability for unauthorized mining operations.
Deputy Director German Neglyad told the Federation Council earlier this month that the measures would strengthen law enforcement’s ability to prosecute offenders.
Currently, illegal mining in Russia is punishable only under charges such as electricity theft, particularly in regions where mining is banned.
Jail sentences and significant fines are rarely imposed, with most offenders required only to repay stolen electricity costs.
Crypto mining is fully banned year-round in parts of Irkutsk Oblast and prohibited during winter in nine other Russian or Russian-controlled territories.
Across the rest of the country, individuals are permitted to mine crypto at home, provided they do not exceed 6,000 kWh of monthly energy usage. Larger operations must register with the Federal Tax Service.
Rosfinmonitoring said the proposed changes would apply to anyone who violates crypto asset circulation laws, with penalties based on the severity of the offense.
The Energy Ministry is also weighing new regional bans in Karelia, Penza Oblast and parts of Khakassia, with a decision expected in May.
Demand for crypto mining in Russia continues to rise, fueled by recent gains in Bitcoin and other digital assets.
