After the great China crackdown of 2021, Southeast Asia became a hotspot for Bitcoin miners. Now, various regions are experiencing a significant rise in electricity theft used to fuel these mining activities.
Arrests in Malaysia
This week, Malaysian authorities arrested seven individuals suspected of illegally mining Bitcoin using stolen electricity, according to the state media outlet Bernama. The police seized 52 mining rigs, along with electronic devices and a couple of vehicles, valued at approximately 250,000 ringgit ($57,000).
Issues in Thailand and Indonesia
In Thailand, an investigation into electricity theft in April led to the confiscation of mining rigs valued at more than $5.8 million, according to local media. In Indonesia, in December 2023, police shut down 10 mining sites accused of stealing over $1 million worth of electricity.
Shutdown in Laos
Laos' state energy distributor suspended electricity supply to crypto miners earlier this year. The suspension was attributed to insufficient local energy generation, exacerbated by a drought in the first half of 2023. However, an employee disclosed that another reason for the suspension was the miners' inability to pay their bills.
The surge in electricity theft for Bitcoin mining is causing concern among authorities in Southeast Asia. Arrests and equipment confiscations continue, while energy companies are taking measures to combat the violations.
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