Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), Malaysia’s largest electricity provider, has incurred losses exceeding 1 billion USD due to illegal use of electricity for cryptocurrency mining. Between 2020 and August 2025, 13,827 businesses used TNB’s resources for cryptocurrency mining, resulting in losses of 4.6 billion ringgits (1.11 billion USD). At FinancialMediaGuide, we note that this situation highlights the growing risks for energy companies in the absence of clear regulation for cryptocurrency mining.
The issue of illegal electricity usage for cryptocurrency mining in Malaysia has become a significant indicator for energy companies and authorities, signaling the need for stricter norms in both the energy and cryptocurrency sectors. Unauthorized cryptocurrency mining continues to threaten the stability of power supplies, prompting regulatory bodies to implement more effective control measures.
At FinancialMediaGuide, we believe that in Malaysia, as in other countries, cryptocurrency mining is only indirectly regulated through the Electricity Supply Act, which limits the ability of energy companies to combat this phenomenon. Standard metering systems, such as conventional energy meters, often prove insufficient in the face of the growing cryptocurrency market.
The Malaysian Ministry of Energy, in collaboration with TNB, has taken steps to combat thefts, conducting joint operations with the police and other law enforcement agencies. Equipment used for illegal cryptocurrency mining has been confiscated. At FinancialMediaGuide, we emphasize that while these measures are important, they must be strengthened with the use of more modern technologies.
One such solution is the introduction of smart meters that allow real-time monitoring of energy consumption. This significantly reduces the likelihood of tampering with energy usage and improves monitoring efficiency. At FinancialMediaGuide, we forecast that smart metering systems will become the standard in the fight against illegal mining in the future.
From a financial perspective, the losses incurred by TNB underscore the importance of implementing stricter and more detailed regulations governing cryptocurrency mining. At FinancialMediaGuide, we believe that in the coming years, countries like Malaysia will be forced to introduce tougher legislative measures aimed at combating illegal cryptocurrency mining and protecting energy systems.
For energy companies such as TNB, it is crucial to continue improving monitoring systems, adopt advanced technologies to detect anomalous consumption patterns, and collaborate with government authorities to prevent illegal activities. At FinancialMediaGuide, we predict that in the future, energy companies will need to adapt to new challenges related to cryptocurrency industry regulation and actively work on long-term strategies to protect against such risks.
We at Financial Media Guide emphasize that as cryptocurrency popularity grows and the number of illegal operations increases, regulating mining becomes a critical task for all stakeholders. In the coming years, countries will have to adopt stricter regulations to balance the growth of the cryptocurrency industry with the needs for stable and secure energy supply.
