The Russian Ministry of Justice has proposed criminal penalties for illegal cryptocurrency mining, with a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

[Russian Justice Ministry Proposes Penalties for Illegal Cryptocurrency Mining, Up to 5 Years Imprisonment] According to Mars Finance, the Russian Ministry of Justice recently submitted a draft amendment to the Criminal Code aimed at combating unregistered illegal cryptocurrency mining activities in the country. The draft proposes that illegal mining activities could face fines of up to 1.5 million rubles (approximately $19,000) or up to two years of forced labor. If illegal mining activities involve substantial profits, the maximum penalty could be five years imprisonment, along with a fine of up to 2.5 million rubles (approximately $31,800) or 480 hours of forced labor. The amendment also sets a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment or forced labor for the substantial profits achieved by illegal "organizational groups." Russian Deputy Finance Minister Ivan Chebeskov stated that as of June 19, 2025, only about 30% of cryptocurrency miners have completed registration and legalized their operations, with most practitioners still operating in a "gray area." Under current regulations, individual miners with monthly electricity consumption below 6,000 kilowatt-hours do not need to register but are still required to pay personal income tax.