Tajikistan is moving to crack down on illegal cryptocurrency mining by introducing new criminal penalties for the unauthorized use of electricity in virtual asset production.
Amendments to the country’s Criminal Code were reviewed and adopted by members of parliament on December 3, marking one of the strongest legal measures the nation has taken against illicit mining activity.
New Legislation Targets Illegal Electricity Use
The new amendment introduces Article 253(2): “Illegal Use of Electricity for the Production of a Virtual Asset.” The provision outlines a tiered system of fines and prison sentences, depending on the scale and organization of the offense.
Under the first tier, individuals found illegally consuming electricity for mining face fines ranging from 200 to 500 calculation indicators, equivalent to 15,000 to 37,500 somoni, based on the 2025 indicator value of 75 somoni.
More serious offenses involving groups acting in prior conspiracy are punishable by 500 to 1,000 indicators (37,500 to 75,000 somoni) or two to five years of imprisonment.
The harshest penalties, five to eight years in prison, apply to organized groups involved in illegal electricity use on an “especially large scale,” signaling the government’s intention to target large mining operations that place heavy strain on the national grid.
Concerns Over Damages and Illegal Imports
Prosecutor General Khabibullo Vohidzoda previously raised alarms over the rapid rise of electricity theft tied to underground mining farms.
According to him, illegal mining operations have caused 32 million somoni in damages to the state, prompting authorities to open four to five criminal cases in recent months. He also noted that individuals continue to import mining equipment illegally in an effort to circumvent regulations.
Broader Context and Regulatory Aims
Tajikistan’s energy-intensive mining sector has long been a concern for regulators, especially as electricity consumption patterns reveal unlicensed operations tapping into subsidized or stolen power.
The revised criminal code positions the country among a growing number of jurisdictions imposing strict punitive measures on unauthorized mining, with the aim of protecting national infrastructure and curbing illicit financial activity.