CoinVoice recently learned that, according to a report by Decrypt, the Malaysian national energy company (Tenaga Nasional Berhad) stated on May 12, 2025, that from 2018 to 2024, cases of electricity theft related to illegal cryptocurrency mining in the country surged from 610 to 2,397, an increase of 300%. These actions, which involve tampering with meters to steal subsidized electricity, have severely impacted the stability of the power grid and resulted in losses of hundreds of millions of dollars for the company.
Recently, Malaysian authorities launched a nationwide law enforcement operation, uncovering multiple illegal mining cases, including a site in Bandar Alam where 45 Bitcoin mining machines were seized. To address this issue, the national energy company has deployed a smart meter network to monitor abnormal electricity usage in real-time, and under the Electricity Supply Act, violators can face up to 10 years in prison or fines of up to $212,000.
Data shows that some owners received electricity bills as high as $278,400 because tenants set up mining rigs without permission. Similar situations have occurred in countries like Kuwait, where over 1,000 illegal mining sites were investigated last month, and this week 116 individuals are under investigation. These activities have significantly increased pressure on the local power grid and caused widespread blackouts. [Original link]
