MTS Uncovers Hundreds of Illegal Mining Farms in Russia

Since the beginning of 2024, MTS specialists have identified over a hundred illegal mining farms within the customer service areas in Russia. This was reported by Pavel Fedosov, head of the corporation’s IoT center, according to TASS.

The MTS platform is capable of detecting meters that transmit understated readings and specific network segments using big data and AI. The system analyzes energy consumption and identifies characteristic signs of theft.

The North Caucasus and the Irkutsk region have emerged as leaders among Russian regions in the number of illegal cryptocurrency mining farms.

Since 2022, specialists at “Irkutskenergosbyt” have been maintaining a “grey mining map.” According to local media, energy workers have added 850 new points to it this year. The map now contains over 7,350 marks.

In September, a law regulating cryptocurrency mining in Russia came into effect.

Previously, Putin stated that stagnation in Siberia due to mining is unacceptable.