Kosovo Crackdown on Cryptocurrency Miners

Law enforcement agencies in Kosovo has enhanced attempts to punish cryptocurrency miners in the country, Kosovo police has already confiscated 300 mining machines.

The southeastern European country, officially known as the republic of Kosovo earlier in the year (11 January 2021) ban crypto mining to curb electricity consumption.

Due to cheap power prices in Kosovo in recent years, many young people in Kosovo have got involved in crypto mining. However, Kosovo declared a state of emergency for 60 days resulting from energy crisis and electricity shortages. Ever since, the Minister of Economy introduced a ban on crypto mining.

Furthermore, Bitcoin mining uses 101 TWh per year and occasionally more energy than some countries. Kosovo currently imports over 40% of its energy, making electricity a scare commodity to the economy.

The Kosovo police on Saturday, 8th January 2021, revealed that it had seized 272 “Antminer” Bitcoin mining machines in the municipality of Leposavic, and another 39 mining machines near Prishtina.

Meanwhile, the police also stopped a driver carrying six crypto mining machines with 42 graphics cards (GPUs) near Druar, in Vushtrri. The driver has since been interviewed and released.