Southeast Asian Countries Grapple with Cryptocurrency Mining-Related Electricity Theft

Electricity theft for cryptocurrency mining has become a significant problem in Southeast Asia. In Malaysia, police discovered 71 illegal mining devices operating at four sites in Johor, with three suspects detained and equipment seized.

The suspects were found to be bypassing meters to connect to the grid without paying for electricity, causing estimated damages of $16,600 in just one month. However, the farm itself could generate over $20,000 monthly.

According to Sonny Zulhuda, an associate professor at the International Islamic University Malaysia, thousands of such incidents have led to investigations into illegal cryptocurrency mining in Malaysia.

The problem is not limited to Malaysia, with Thailand and Indonesia also experiencing significant issues. In 2025, Thailand's Department of Special Investigation uncovered three major illegal cryptocurrency mining networks, seizing over 6,300 devices and causing damages of over $28 million.