Malaysia Cracks Down on Illegal Crypto Mining as $1.1B Power Losses Trigger Nationwide Action
Written by Ohris M. Greyoon, Blockchain & Crypto Expert
Source: Coinmarketcap
Updated: Jan 11 2026- Severe Power Losses: Since 2020, Tenaga Nasional Berhad has reported over $1.1 billion in electricity losses, prompting the Malaysian government to treat illegal cryptocurrency mining as a national infrastructure and criminal issue.
- Enhanced Enforcement Technology: Enforcement agencies are deploying drones equipped with thermal cameras to scan rooftops for abnormal heat signatures linked to mining rigs, while ground teams use handheld sensors to detect irregular power consumption and pinpoint tampered connections.
- Increased Crackdown Efforts: From late 2025 to early 2026, nearly 14,000 illicit mining sites were raided nationwide, demonstrating the government's tough stance against what it views as organized criminal activity, highlighted by a January operation that seized 41 mining machines suspected of illegal power usage.
- Policy Review and Task Force Formation: In November 2025, the government formed a multi-agency task force to coordinate investigations and enforcement, establishing a database of suspected electricity thieves, indicating a serious commitment to tackling power theft, despite some lawmakers suggesting an outright ban on crypto mining.
About the author
Ohris M. Greyoon
Ohris M. Greyoon holds a Master’s in Computer Science from MIT and has 10 years of experience in blockchain technology and cryptocurrency markets. A pioneer in decentralized finance (DeFi) analysis, he leads Intellectia’s Crypto News, offering cutting-edge insights into digital assets.
