95% of Miners Operate Illegally in Iran — Akbar Hasan Beklou

Akbar Hasan Beklou stated that Iran ranks fourth globally in cryptocurrency mining thanks to heavily subsidized electricity, turning the country into a “paradise for illegal miners.”

Most unlicensed operators disguise their farms as industrial facilities to gain access to cheaper power. These illegal operations consume over 1,400 megawatts of electricity daily, placing huge strain on the national grid and causing blackouts for civilians.

Authorities have intensified their crackdown.

In Tehran Province alone, 104 illegal mining farms have been shut down, and 1,465 devices were confiscated — enough to power 10,000 households, Beklou said.
He listed Pakdasht, Malard, Shahre-Kord, and industrial zones in southwest Tehran as hotspots for underground mining, where equipment is hidden in tunnels or subsidized factories.

In August, Iran introduced cash rewards for citizens who report illegal mining activity.
According to Mostafa Rajabi Mashhadi, CEO of the state-owned utility Tavanir, the government offers 1 million tomans (≈ $24) for each illegal mining device discovered.

A June report by CoinLaw ranks Iran fifth in the world by Bitcoin hash rate, accounting for 4.2% of global mining power.
The leading countries are the U.S. (44%), Kazakhstan (12%), Russia (10.5%), and Canada (9%).

Meanwhile, data from TRM Labs shows that Iran’s crypto transaction volume dropped by 11% between January and July compared to last year, largely due to the hacking of the Nobitex crypto exchange.

See also: "Major U.S. Miner Reveals Bitcoin Production Costs"

#Mining

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