The State Duma has adopted in the first reading a bill on criminal liability for illegal cryptocurrency mining. The document concerns miners and operators of mining infrastructure who operate without being included in official registers.

The punishment will depend on the amount of income or damage. If the amount exceeds 3.5 million rubles, offenders may be fined up to 1.5 million rubles, sentenced to compulsory labor for up to 480 hours, or forced labor for up to two years.

If illegal mining was organized by a group of persons or the damage exceeded 13 million rubles, the sanctions will become stricter: the fine can reach 2.5 million rubles, and forced labor or imprisonment – five years.

The bill also provides for the confiscation of property used for illegal cryptocurrency mining. At the same time, the defendant may be released from liability if he fully compensates for the damage caused.

According to the FNS, about 50 thousand entities may be engaged in mining in Russia, but less than 1.5 thousand participants are registered in the official register. The Investigative Committee previously estimated the number of illegal miners at about 190 thousand, and the possible damage to the economy – up to 280 million dollars.

The document was submitted by the government at the end of March. In early May, the relevant State Duma committee recommended adopting it in the first reading.