Georgia Targets Illegal Crypto Mining in Mestia After Power Use Hits 133 Million kWh

Deputy Prime Minister announced the June 1 crackdown in Svaneti, Georgia, where mass meter installation is aimed at curbing unregistered mining and reducing electricity losses.

Summary

Georgia has started a crackdown on illegal crypto mining in Mestia, a town in the Svaneti region of Georgia, after electricity consumption reached 133 million kilowatt-hours in 2025. Deputy Prime Minister announced the action on June 1, with enforcement centered on villages in Svaneti, Georgia, and supported by mass installation of electricity meters. The government estimates that illegal mining is causing annual losses of 20 million to 25 million lari. Crypto mining can consume large amounts of power because specialized computers run continuously to validate blockchain transactions and secure networks.

Terms & Concepts
  • Crypto mining: The process of using computing power to validate blockchain transactions and earn rewards, often requiring substantial electricity use.
  • Blockchain: A shared digital ledger that records transactions across a network of computers in a tamper-resistant way.
  • Kilowatt-hour (kWh): A standard unit of electricity consumption used to measure how much power homes, businesses, or mining operations use over time.