Illegal cryptocurrency mining is on the rise in Central Asia, specifically Tajikistan and Kazakhstan. In Tajikistan, illegal miners caused $3.52 million in damages in the first half of 2025, according to Attorney General Khabibullo Vokhidzoda. The country has opened numerous criminal cases related to illegal electricity use for mining. Authorities in Kazakhstan have also cracked down on mining operations that have used illegally sourced electricity, leading to the discovery of significant electricity theft valued at approximately $16.5 million. While cryptocurrency mining is neither fully legal nor illegal in both countries, inadequate enforcement and cheap energy costs make the region attractive to miners, particularly from China and Russia. Experts highlight that the ongoing illicit mining activities are challenging to eliminate due to lax regulations and oversight, creating a market for unlicensed operations.

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