Unlicensed Mining in Iran: Risks, Laws, and What You Need to Know

When people talk about unlicensed mining in Iran, the illegal operation of cryptocurrency mining hardware without government approval. Also known as shadow mining, it’s become a flashpoint between individual miners and national energy policy. In 2024, Iran’s government seized over 12,000 mining rigs, shut down hundreds of underground farms, and jailed operators after power outages hit hospitals and schools. This isn’t just about crypto—it’s about survival.

Why does this matter? Because Iran’s electricity grid is stretched thin. With 60% of urban areas facing daily blackouts, the state can’t afford to let private miners drain power meant for homes. Even solar-powered rigs aren’t exempt. The ban is total, no exceptions. This is different from countries like the U.S. or Kazakhstan, where mining is regulated but allowed. In Iran, running a miner without a license is a criminal offense, not a gray-area activity. Energy crisis in Iran, the severe shortage of electricity caused by mismanagement, sanctions, and rising demand. It’s what turned mining from a side hustle into a high-risk gamble.

And it’s not just about power. Iran cryptocurrency regulations, a strict legal framework that bans all unapproved crypto mining and restricts foreign exchange access. The government doesn’t just shut down rigs—it seizes them. Miners who try to cash out their Bitcoin face blocked bank accounts, frozen assets, and sometimes prison. This connects directly to global trends like asset forfeiture, when governments legally take digital assets linked to illegal activity. The U.S. seized $17 billion in Bitcoin. Iran is seizing rigs and jail time. Both are responses to the same problem: crypto’s energy hunger colliding with public needs.

What you’ll find in the posts below are real stories from the edge of this war. You’ll read about how Angola banned mining for the same reason. How Russian traders got caught using unlicensed platforms. How privacy coins and yield farming are used to hide income from regulators. These aren’t theoretical risks—they’re happening now, in real homes, in real cities, under real blackouts. Whether you’re a miner, a trader, or just trying to understand crypto’s hidden costs, this collection shows you what happens when governments draw a line in the sand—and what comes after it.