In Malaysia, electricity thefts by illegal cryptocurrency miners have increased by 300% since 2018
Author: Camomile Shumba | Edited by: Sheldon Reback May 12, 2025, 1:40 PM
The number of detected electricity thefts in Malaysia has increased by 300% from 2018 to the end of 2024, largely due to the rise in illegal cryptocurrency mining, The Star reported on Monday.
The incidents were detected during joint operations involving the country’s leading electricity company Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), the Energy Commission and the police.
“Joint operations and nationwide raids have effectively stopped the activities of illegal miners, resulting in an increase in detected cases from 610 in 2018 to 2,397 in 2024,” the utility company said in a statement to The Star.
Crypto mining is the process of finding new blocks, verifying transactions, and adding them to the blockchain, which is the basis of digital assets. This process, especially for proof-of-work blockchains like Bitcoin, requires significant energy resources, which encourages unscrupulous miners to steal electricity instead of paying for it, and receive a reward in new tokens for completing the process.
The largest increase in cases occurred after 2020. Between 2020 and 2024, the average number of cryptocurrency-related electricity theft cases per year was 2,303, TNB told The Star. The number of complaints from citizens has also increased due to increased awareness of how to report illegal cryptocurrency mining, TNB added.
In Malaysia, cryptocurrency mining is not prohibited, but any interference with electrical installations can result in a fine of RM1 million (US$232,720.50) and up to 10 years in prison.
CoinDesk has reached out to Tenaga Nasional Berhad for comment.
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