Malaysia Begins Aggressive Crackdown After Bitcoin Miners Steal $1.1 Billion in Electricity

Source: ETHNews Original Title: Malaysia Begins Aggressive Crackdown After Bitcoin Miners Steal $1.1 Billion in Electricity Original Link: Malaysian authorities have launched one of their most aggressive crackdowns to date after uncovering that Bitcoin miners have stolen an estimated $1.1 billion in electricity from the national grid since 2020.

The revelations show that nearly 14,000 illegal mining sites siphoned power from state-owned utility Tenaga Nasional (TNB) over the past five years, creating widespread strain on infrastructure and raising major public safety concerns.

How Authorities Are Tracking Down Illegal Mining Sites

The scale and sophistication of the illicit operations have forced Malaysian authorities to deploy advanced detection methods. Enforcement teams are now using thermal-imaging drones to identify abnormal heat signatures from hidden mining farms, while handheld sensors help trace irregular power loads in residential and commercial areas.

Some miners have taken extreme steps to evade detection, including installing rigs in abandoned buildings, covering windows with heat shields, and even playing looping nature recordings to mask the constant whir of mining equipment. Several sites were also found equipped with CCTV cameras and improvised security systems, underscoring the level of planning behind these operations.

A Multi-Agency Hunt Backed by New Technology

TNB is coordinating with national police, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Communications and Multimedia Commission in a joint effort to dismantle the networks. To strengthen enforcement, the utility has built a database of properties suspected of electricity theft and is now testing smart meters and analytical tools capable of detecting abnormal consumption spikes in real time.

Authorities believe the mobile, well-organized setup of the mining farms suggests possible involvement of criminal syndicates, not just small-scale operators looking for cheap power.

Why the Crackdown Is Escalating Now

Officials warn that the theft poses a direct threat to the national grid, risking power instability, infrastructure overload, and financial losses that ultimately fall on taxpayers. The government also argues that the drain undermines the country’s economic stability at a time when Malaysia is investing heavily in digital infrastructure.

While cryptocurrency mining remains legal, tampering with electricity meters is a criminal offense, and the ongoing surge of illegal operations has reignited debate among policymakers. Some officials are now openly considering a full ban on Bitcoin mining, citing concerns about volatility, safety risks, and the growing connection to organized crime.