Kuwait intensifies crackdown on illegal crypto mining, 60 suspects under investigation
Prosecution orders continued detention of several defendants, including homeowners who had leased their properties and were during raids conducted by MOI, while others have been released on 500 dinars bail.
As the Public Prosecution continues its investigation into the ongoing “cryptocurrency mining” case—now involving around 60 individuals, with the number expected to rise—the Council of Ministers has praised the outcomes of a wide-reaching security campaign conducted last Friday.
The campaign supervised on the ground by Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef, Minister of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy Dr. Subaih Al-Mukhaizeem, Minister of State for Communications Affairs Omar Al-Omar, and Minister of State for Municipal and Housing Affairs Abdullatif Al-Mishari, according to Al-Rai daily, targeted several residential properties found to be in violation of unauthorized cryptocurrency mining.
The Cabinet emphasized that the campaign forms part of a broader governmental effort to confront illegal activities that violate national regulations and threaten public infrastructure. It noted that unauthorized cryptocurrency mining operations constitute illegal exploitation of electrical power, leading to excessive loads on the grid, power outages, and disruptions to residential, commercial, and service sectors.
Meanwhile, the Public Prosecution, through the Commercial Affairs Division, has ordered the continued detention of several defendants, including homeowners who had leased their properties and were subsequently arrested during raids conducted by the Ministry of Interior, while others were released on 500 Kuwaiti dinars bail.
Prosecutors have confronted a number of suspects with financial records showing suspiciously inflated bank accounts linked to unidentified sources. Some individuals reportedly earned daily profits ranging from 3,000 to 4,000 dinars from mining operations.
The accused face charges related to endangering national interests and operating unlicensed businesses. Although they denied the charges, they were confronted with criminal investigation reports linking them to the seized mining equipment and activities.
Informed sources told Al-Rai that coordinated efforts to uncover illegal cryptocurrency mining sites are ongoing, with search operations expanding to additional areas such as Wafra, Sabah Al-Ahmad, and Mutla’a. The sources affirmed that no area will be exempt from inspection.
The Ministry of Electricity has begun disconnecting power from homes found to be involved in mining, and any restoration of power now requires approval from the Ministry of Interior.
Authorities are also enforcing penalties in line with the government’s strict stance against virtual currency mining. The Ministry of Electricity, in coordination with the Ministry of Interior, is applying regulations issued by the National Committee for Combating Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing, in cooperation with the Central Bank of Kuwait, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Capital Markets Authority. These regulations include a blanket ban on all virtual asset and currency mining activities.
