Malaysia seizes 45 Bitcoin mining machines

Malaysian authorities dismantled a Bitcoin mining syndicate in Terengganu, seizing 45 mining machines worth approximately RM225,000 (about $48,000 USD) during coordinated raids in Hulu Terengganu and Marang.

The operation, conducted under Op Letrik with Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), targeted illegal electricity theft causing monthly losses of RM36,000 (~$7,700 USD).

Equipment seized consisted of 45 Bitcoin mining rigs and related tools, indicating a medium-scale operation.

Cases investigated under Section 379 (theft) and 427 (mischief causing loss) of the Penal Code, plus Section 37 of the Electricity Supply Act 1990.

Convictions could lead to 5 years’ imprisonment, RM100,000 fines, or both.

The discrepancy in reported losses (RM36,000 vs. $8,000) likely stems from currency conversion or reporting variations, with local sources consistently citing RM36,000. No arrests were made during the raids, but investigations are ongoing.

This follows a pattern of similar crackdowns in Malaysia, including a 2021 seizure of 1,069 machines in Sarawak and a 2025 explosion-linked discovery of rigs in Purnama.

Electricity theft for Bitcoin mining is widespread and systemic in Malaysia, with authorities reporting hundreds of millions in annual losses and recurring enforcement actions.

Malaysian authorities treat this as a top priority, combining equipment seizures, legislative reforms (e.g., proposed amendments to the Electricity Supply Act 1990), and public awareness campaigns to combat the issue. Despite these efforts, the persistence of multi-million-dollar thefts underscores its entrenched nature.

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