Interpol Cracks Down on Illegal Bitcoin Mining in Angola

Interpol arrested over 1,200 people in Angola for illegal crypto mining. $37M worth of rigs seized as the African nation enforces its mining ban.

Global crackdown on illegal crypto operations

Interpol has announced the arrest of 1,209 individuals and the seizure of nearly $100 million in assets during a continent-wide cybercrime crackdown. The operation targeted both crypto fraudsters and illegal mining operators.

In Angola, authorities shut down 25 underground crypto mining farms operated by 60 Chinese nationals. Equipment worth more than $37 million was confiscated, with officials planning to repurpose it for regions suffering from energy shortages.

Angola’s mining ban and China’s warning

Angola banned cryptocurrency mining in April 2024 due to energy shortages caused by crypto farms. The Chinese embassy in Angola warned its citizens that mining activities are punishable by up to five years in prison, with mandatory confiscation of all equipment.

The ban does not criminalize the use of digital assets, but strictly prohibits their mining. Officials argue that energy distribution must prioritize households and essential infrastructure, not unregulated mining centers.

Energy concerns drive global restrictions

Angola is not alone. In Russia’s Buryatia, 95 ASIC rigs and a mobile transformer hidden in a truck were seized for stealing electricity. Meanwhile, in the U.S., states like Texas continue to attract large-scale miners such as Riot Platforms, CleanSpark, and MARA Holdings with favorable policies.

This growing global divide highlights how countries are responding differently: some restrict mining to protect power grids, while others embrace it as an economic opportunity.