Malaysia Cracks Down on Crypto Mining Power Theft with Massive Equipment Seizure

The Malaysian government has launched a massive crackdown on cryptocurrency mining operations that have been stealing electricity from the grid. In a series of raids across the country, authorities seized over 75,000 machines used for crypto mining, with losses estimated at around $1.1 billion over the last five years.

The operation involved joint efforts between the Royal Malaysia Police and Tenaga Nasional Berhad, the state utility company. According to Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Shamsul Anuar, law enforcement forces conducted 3,049 raids between 2022 and May 2026, resulting in the detention of 629 individuals directly linked to the illegal infrastructure.

The Malaysian government has clarified that the possession and commercial trading of virtual assets are permitted under the country's current legal framework. However, mining activity becomes illegal when it is based on unauthorized electrical connections, tampering with consumption meters, or technical operations without valid business licenses.