Russia plans to impose criminal penalties on unregistered cryptocurrency miners, with a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

The Russian Ministry of Justice has proposed amendments to the criminal code, suggesting that illegal cryptocurrency mining could be punished with a fine of up to 2.5 million rubles (approximately US$19,000) or imprisonment for up to five years. The penalties would be even harsher if high profits are involved or if the activity is carried out by an "organized group."