Malaysia Cracks Down on Illegal Bitcoin Miners, Losses Reach $1 Billion in Electricity

ChainCatcher reports that Malaysian authorities are actively cracking down on illegal Bitcoin mining activities, which have reportedly caused up to $1 billion in electricity theft losses. Law enforcement agencies are employing a combination of high-tech and traditional methods, including using drones to detect abnormal heat sources, handheld sensors to identify irregular electricity usage, and responding to residents’ reports of strange noises. It is reported that some illegal miners even use natural bird sounds to mask the noise of mining equipment. The crackdown has turned into a “cat-and-mouse game,” involving raids on shops and abandoned houses. The Malaysian government will continue to strengthen regulations to curb this increasingly serious issue.