Russia Proposes Criminal Penalties for Unlicensed Crypto Mining
Russia's Ministry of Justice has drafted amendments to impose harsh penalties for unauthorized cryptocurrency mining. The proposed legislation introduces fines up to 1.5 million rubles ($16,300) or compulsory labor for individuals operating unregistered mining rigs. Infrastructure operators face additional sanctions under new Article 171.6.
Escalated penalties target organized mining operations, with prison sentences up to five years for cases involving significant damages. The move signals Moscow's tightening grip on digital asset production as global regulators increase scrutiny of energy-intensive crypto operations.
The draft amendment, now open for public comment on Russia's legal portal, reflects growing governmental intervention in previously grey-market crypto activities. Mining operations—particularly those leveraging subsidized energy—have drawn increasing attention from authorities worldwide.
