Citing Power Shortage, Parliament Fast-Tracks Bill Against Illegal Crypto Miners

Iran's parliament voted in an open session on Wednesday, September 2, 2026 (11 Shahrivar 1405), to fast-track a bill adding Article 687 (repeated) to the Islamic Penal Code, targeting illegal use of electricity for cryptocurrency mining. Abbas Goudarzi, spokesman for parliament's presiding board, told Donya-e-Eqtesad the bill is necessary given the country's energy shortage, noting experts estimate one mining rig consumes as much power as 10 households. He said roughly 13,000 illegal mining farms have been identified nationwide, along with thousands of unauthorized mining rigs.