Paraguay Cracks Down on Illegal Crypto Mining Operations

Paraguayan authorities have been cracking down on illegal cryptocurrency mining operations. On September 17, they discovered a site in Minga Guazu that was drawing electricity directly without passing through a meter.

The authorities seized 10 ASIC miners and imposed penalties of about 176.16 million guaranies, which is roughly $30,000. This included unpaid electricity bills and fines.

Earlier on September 12, they had already seized 25 digital-asset mining machines from a house in Ciudad del Este.

The discovery of these illegal sites has prompted action in Paraguay's Congress. The Chamber of Deputies approved a resolution requiring ANDE to submit data on the actual electricity consumption by the digital-asset mining industry, applicable tariffs, related revenue and enforcement activity.