The Ministry of Justice of Russia has prepared a bill on the introduction of criminal liability for cryptocurrency mining without inclusion in the register of the Federal Tax Service. The document was approved by the government commission on legislative activities, sources of Vedomosti reported.
According to the law "On Digital Financial Assets, Digital Currency," individuals and legal entities must register to mine digital currency. The introduction of criminal liability is necessary to suppress illegal activities in this area.
The explanatory note to the bill states that about 50 thousand entities are engaged in mining in Russia — individuals and legal entities. At the same time, only 1489 entities are included in the register.
The Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation proposed to introduce a new article in the Criminal Code — 171.6. It will provide for liability for mining without registration in the register or for the services of an operator (transfer of infrastructure for rent) without inclusion in the register. If major damage is caused or miners receive a large income (more than 3.5 million rubles), they face a fine of up to 1.5 million rubles or involvement in compulsory labor for up to 480 hours or forced labor — up to 2 years.
If illegal acts are committed by an organized group or cause major damage or bring large income (more than 13 million rubles), the fine will be up to 2.5 million rubles, involvement in compulsory labor for up to 5 years, or imprisonment — up to 5 years. The bill has not yet been submitted to the State Duma.
