Malaysia destroyed 985 bitcoin mining rigs worth $452,500 as part of a power theft crackdown, using a steamroller to crush them.
As part of its ongoing efforts to combat power theft associated with bitcoin mining activities, Malaysian authorities have incinerated 985 bitcoin mining machines, which were valued at approximately 1.98 million Malaysian ringgits ($452,500), according to local media.
According to the Malaysia Gazette, the Perak Tengah district police utilised a steamroller to destroy the devices on Monday following directives from a court.
The devices were confiscated during enforcement operations that took place from 2022 to April of this year.
The authorities’ most recent warning and enforcement actions were implemented in conjunction with a more extensive campaign to address power theft concerns related to bitcoin miners.
According to the Sepang district police, seven individuals were apprehended last week for allegedly engaging in bitcoin mining operations that involved the larceny of electricity.
Last month, Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, the deputy minister of energy transition and water transformation, disclosed that crypto miners in Malaysia misappropriated a minimum of RM3.4 billion ($777 million) in power between 2018 and 2023.
Crypto mining operations have been increasingly relocated from China, which prohibited all crypto mining activities in 2021, to the United States and other countries, such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos, and Thailand.
Miners are attracted to Southeast Asian nations by their competitive electricity prices, expert labour, and established infrastructure.
