Tajikistan's parliament just dropped a hefty new law targeting bitcoin miners who steal electricity from the national grid. The updated Criminal Code hits individuals with fines ranging from 15,000 to 37,000 somoni—roughly $1,600 to $4,000. But it gets worse for larger operations.

Organizations caught mining with illegally sourced power could face penalties up to 75,000 somoni (around $8,000), and responsible parties might be looking at 2 to 8 years behind bars. This legislative move signals the government's serious stance on energy theft in the mining sector, especially as nations worldwide grapple with the electricity demands of crypto operations.

The crackdown reflects growing concerns over grid stability and resource allocation in countries where power infrastructure is already strained.