Russia cracks down on 'illegal' cryptomining with prison terms up to five years — Kremlin will begin prosecuting in 2027

Russia is planning to crack down on illegal cryptocurrency mining by introducing prison terms of up to five years starting in 2027. The Ministry of Justice is proposing amendments to the Russian Criminal Code to establish liability for unlawful mining of digital currency and illegal operation of mining IT infrastructure. Penalties for offenses could range from fines to forced labor or imprisonment, with harsher punishments for organized group mining or activities resulting in significant damage or income. The proposed legislation aims to regulate the cryptocurrency economy, generate tax revenue, and control access to cryptocurrencies for investors.