Russia prepares legal changes to punish unauthorized cryptocurrency miners

Source: PortaldoBitcoin Original Title: Russia prepares legal changes to punish unauthorized cryptocurrency miners Original Link: Russia’s Ministry of Justice has proposed introducing criminal sanctions — including imprisonment — to combat illegal cryptocurrency mining in the country. The measure is part of a bill amending the country’s penal code.

According to the proposal, the goal is to formalize criminal responsibility for cryptocurrency mining conducted outside the legal framework that came into effect in 2024. The changes would affect the Criminal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation, creating a new specific article on the subject.

The bill introduces Article 171.6, titled “Illegal digital currency mining and activities of a mining infrastructure operator.” The text defines as illegal mining carried out by individuals or entities not registered in the official state registry of miners. Responsibility would be assigned if the activity causes large-scale damage to citizens, companies, or the state, or generates income of 3.5 million rubles (approximately R$ 240,000).

The penalties include fines of up to 1.5 million rubles, forced labor for up to two years, or up to 480 hours of compulsory work. In aggravating cases — such as operations conducted by organized groups or with particularly high earnings —punishments can reach up to five years in prison, in addition to fines.

The second part of the bill states that crimes with gains exceeding 13.5 million rubles could result in fines between 500,000 and 2.5 million rubles, or amounts equivalent to one to three years of the offender’s income, along with forced labor or imprisonment.

Mining in Russia

The proposal comes after the legalization of cryptocurrency mining in Russia in November 2024. Since then, the Federal Tax Service has required miners to register and declare their mined assets monthly. By May 2025, more than a thousand participants had already registered.

Repression in Russia is also linked to energy theft. The state energy company reported losses exceeding 1.3 billion rubles in 2024 due to clandestine mining, which has already led to dozens of criminal investigations.