🔌 Scale & Scope
30,000 sqm = Nearly four soccer fields in size.
Generating ~$58,000/month in Bitcoin — possibly even more if altcoins were involved.
Using industrial-grade power, cooling, and security — yet entirely illegal.
⚠️ Why It Matters
Energy theft on this level strains power grids, especially in colder regions like Siberia where heating is critical.
Fire and safety risks due to unregulated wiring and equipment.
Legal defiance: Even with prior notices, operators continued mining — highlighting either arrogance or a belief they were protected.
🧯 What Triggered the Raid
Utility company noticed grid instability.
The site's fake registration and state land abuse led to deeper scrutiny.
Past corruption (bribed energy staff) made this a high-priority investigation.
🔍 Why Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, and Tatarstan?
These regions are crypto mining magnets due to:
Cold climates (reduces cooling costs).
Cheap electricity (especially subsidized in Siberia).
Industrial zones with less oversight.
But authorities are now cracking down, fearing infrastructure collapse and growing criminal links.
📉 Wider Implications
Regulators globally are watching these cases as examples of what can go wrong with unlicensed mining.
Legitimate miners may face tighter restrictions, inspections, and reporting requirements.
Illegal operations are increasingly being linked to fraud, bribery, and organized crime.
🧠 Bottom Line for Crypto Enthusiasts & Investors
Legitimize or perish: Operating without licenses and on stolen resources is no longer flying under the radar.
If you're in the mining space: compliance, transparency, and energy ethics are now non-negotiables.
For investors: Regulatory crackdowns could affect hashrate distribution, network security, and regional mining dominance — potentially impacting BTC's decentralization.