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Abu Dhabi Prohibits Crypto Mining on Agricultural Land with Heavy Fines

Abu Dhabi Prohibits Crypto Mining on Agricultural Land with Heavy Fines

Abu Dhabi’s Agriculture and Food Safety Authority warns farms that cryptocurrency mining violates agricultural regulations, imposing fines of Dh100,000, doubled for repeat offenses, along with equipment confiscations and service suspensions.

Fact Check
The statement is strongly supported by the evidence. Multiple sources, including an official statement from the Abu Dhabi Media Office (Source 2), confirm a ban on cryptocurrency mining on agricultural land. Several sources also corroborate that significant fines are imposed for violations, with amounts cited ranging from AED 10,000 to AED 100,000.
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Summary

The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority reaffirmed its ban on cryptocurrency mining on farmland, citing conflicts with agricultural use and high energy demands. Farms caught mining will be fined 100,000 dirhams ($27,000), with penalties doubling for repeat violations. Enforcement measures include cutting electricity, confiscating mining equipment, suspending agricultural support services, and referring offenders to other authorities. ADAFSA stressed that farmland must be used solely for crops and livestock, and the action follows reports of farms repurposing land for digital asset mining. The ban aligns with global moves to regulate energy consumption from crypto mining, with Russia also recently imposing regional restrictions.

Terms & Concepts
  • Cryptocurrency Mining: The process of validating blockchain transactions and generating new digital currency units through computational power, often consuming significant amounts of electricity.