Abkhazia resumes crackdown on cryptocurrency mining

Russia has been providing commercial electricity to Abkhazia since November. Local media reports that under this background, the authorities in Sukhumi have resumed their crackdown on cryptocurrency mining. The head of the capital, Beslan, emphasized that the authorities will tighten their means of combating illegal mining of cryptocurrency assets, and not only will the equipment be confiscated, but it will also be disposed of immediately. Astamur Haghush, the head of the Sukhumi Interior Ministry, said that inspections against mining have not stopped, and a total of 1,112 apartments, 712 households, and 405 basements have been inspected. Dzhambulat Arshba, the head of the SUES Energosbyt department, pointed out that by the end of this year, the number of electricity meters will reach about 13,000, and experts say this will cover more than 50% of users. Although cryptocurrency mining is currently prohibited, the regional authorities have approved special tariffs for miners in 2022.