Russian Farmer Arrested for Illegal Crypto Mining

Authorities in Russia’s Komi Republic have dismantled an illegal cryptocurrency mining operation run by a 39-year-old farmer. The individual allegedly operated over 80 ASIC miners in a converted barn, illicitly connecting to the power grid and causing approximately $80,000 in electricity losses. Police reported that the farmer bypassed the meter to draw power directly from a substation and failed to register the mining activities with the federal tax authorities. Meanwhile, the Komi Republic is advancing plans to establish 15 cryptocurrency mining data centers by 2026, with two projects already underway.