Malaysia deploys drones, sensors in hunt against illegal Bitcoin miners

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is intensifying its fight against illegal cryptocurrency mining, which has cost Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) an estimated US$1.1 billion (RM5.2 billion) in stolen electricity over five years.

Drones equipped with thermal imaging now patrol towns, scanning for abnormal heat from hidden rigs, while handheld sensors detect irregular power spikes. Residents sometimes tip off police about suspicious “bird sounds” masking fan noise. Miners counter with heat shields, CCTV and broken-glass barriers, turning abandoned shops and homes into fortified mining dens.

illegal Bitcoin miners

With Bitcoin’s recent surge driving a spike to 3,000 cases in 2025 alone, the government launched a special taskforce on Nov 19 led by Deputy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir. Comprising the Finance Ministry, Bank Negara and TNB, the committee aims to dismantle the networks threatening Malaysia’s power grid stability. “It’s no longer just theft — they can break our entire system,” Akmal warned.