Russia Proposes Prison Terms for Unregistered Crypto Miners
Russia's Ministry of Justice has drafted amendments to impose criminal penalties on cryptocurrency miners operating without registration. The proposal introduces Article 171.6 to the Criminal Code, targeting illegal mining activities and infrastructure operations.
Penalties escalate based on operational scale and revenue. Unregistered miners face fines up to 1.5 million rubles, compulsory labor, or two years' forced labor. Operations generating over 3.5 million rubles trigger heightened liability, while organized groups or operations exceeding 13.5 million rubles risk five-year prison terms alongside substantial fines.
The MOVE follows Russia's November 2024 legalization of mining under strict regulatory frameworks. Authorities now push for comprehensive registries and monthly reporting to monitor the sector.
