Lawmaker warns crypto miners in Chechnya will be treated like terrorists in 2025

State Duma lawmaker Adam Delimkhanov says crypto miners in Chechnya will be equated with terrorists, following the ban on cryptocurrency mining in several regions in Russia starting in January 2025.

According to Russian news outlet Tsargrad TV, Delimkhanov stated that starting from Jan. 1, 2025 cryptocurrency mining will be deemed illegal in the Chechen Republic. Therefore, anyone found mining crypto in the region will be punished severely.

“We will equate them with terrorists, since their actions harm the whole society,” the deputy said, adding that he was relaying the words of Chechen Head of State Ramzan Kadyrov.

Delimkhanov explained that crypto mining could lead to problems with the stability of electricity in certain region, affecting the daily lives of citizens. This is due to the large demand of electricity needed to power crypto mining systems, he said, which could disrupt the flow of electricity.

He warned that if crypto mining activities are found to result in electricity problems in Russian districts, villages or cities, then the authorities will respond quickly and put crypto miners behind bars.

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As previously reported by crypto.news last October, Russian Deputy Energy Minister Evgeny Grabcha said that Bitcoin (BTC) mining will be banned in several key regions due to energy shortages.

The ban applies to individual crypto miners and mining companies based in areas such as Dagestan, Chechnya, as well as the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics. It also extends to areas in the Irkutsk Region, Buryatia, and Zabaikalsky during peak hours.

Lawmakers claim crypto mining has caused significant electricity deficits, making it impossible to provide large power capacities until at least 2030. The ban is said to take effect in November and will remain effective until March 15, 2031.

The crypto mining ban follows Russian President Vladimir Putin’s signing of a crypto circulation bill that gives Russian lawmakers the power to ban cryptocurrency mining in specific regions. Not only that, the law also prohibits ads for companies that provide crypto services among other restrictions.

Read more: Russia to ban Bitcoin mining in key regions due to electricity deficit