Kuwait cracks down on illegal cryptocurrency mining to protect its energy grid
The government is cutting off power to mining-related facilities and conducting repeated inspections.
Francisco Rodriguez | Edited by Parikshit Mishra May 1, 2025 12:20 PM
Important points:
- Kuwaiti authorities are taking strict measures against illegal cryptocurrency mining.
- The government is seeking to curb unauthorised electricity consumption, which puts additional strain on the national grid and causes blackouts.
- More than 60 people are under investigation, and mining facilities have been cut off from power.
Kuwaiti authorities are tightening their crackdown on illegal cryptocurrency mining, with more than 60 people under investigation as part of a major crackdown on unlicensed activity.
The country's prosecutors confirmed that the investigation was ongoing and warned that more suspects could be identified in the coming weeks. The “security operation” carried out last Friday targeted residential properties across the country suspected of hosting mining equipment, local media reported.
The operation was coordinated by senior officials including Acting Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef and Electricity Minister Dr Subaih Al-Muhaizem. The government said it aimed to curb unauthorized use of electricity that was overloading the national grid and causing blackouts in some regions.
The Ministry of Energy has begun shutting off power to mining facilities. Reconnection is only possible with permission from the Ministry of the Interior. Officials are also conducting follow-up inspections in various areas.
Kuwait has imposed a “complete ban on any virtual asset/cryptocurrency mining activity,” according to a directive from its anti-money laundering committee backed by regulators including the National Bank of Kuwait.
