Paraguay introduces compulsory registration for bitcoin miners

Bitcoin miners in Paraguay now have to register with the state after the Chamber of Deputies approved two resolutions to curb illegal Bitcoin mining.

The Chamber of Deputies approved two resolutions presented by Deputy María Constancia Benítez on Thursday, December 4. These projects are intended to consolidate the state’s control, transparency and supervision mechanisms.

Paraguay’s approach to Bitcoin mining

The first resolution directs the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to provide reports on all registered people and companies authorized to mine Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. This includes all background information in both physical and digital formats.

The second resolution targets the National Electricity Administration, known as ANDE, demanding a comprehensive list of all electrical connections authorized for crypto mining. This record must include the names of responsible parties and installation locations. Both agencies have 15 days to deliver the requested reports.

The resolutions are needed due to the widespread unauthorized mining operations that Paraguay dealt with in 2024. ANDE reported interventions at more than 30 secret mining farms in 2024 alone. Authorities seized tons of Bitcoin mining equipment and passed a law that punishes illegal mining with up to 10 years in prison.

Paraguay produces more electricity than its small population needs. It typically exports 90% of its power production to neighboring countries like Brazil and Argentina at low prices. Still, with the entrance of Bitcoin miners and the expansion of the mining industry, Paraguay can sell the excess energy to miners at a higher rate than it does other countries.

Doing this, the National Electricity Administration generates approximately $12 million monthly from cryptocurrency mining operations.

The United States ranks first on the global hashrate chart, followed by Russia and China. Paraguay comes in fourth with 3.9% of the global hashrate in its control.

Do Bitcoin miners have to register in other countries?

Aside from Paraguay, several major mining countries have introduced similar registration requirements to keep up with the industry’s rapid growth.

Kazakhstan passed its Law on Digital Assets in 2023, which requires all miners to obtain licenses and register with government authorities.

Mining companies must register their hardware and software systems in a special state registry and provide detailed information about their operations. Kazakhstan also mandates that miners sell a portion of their mined Bitcoin through licensed exchanges.

Russian legal entities and individual entrepreneurs must register with the Ministry of Digital Development to engage in mining activities. Miners are also required to provide information about obtained digital currency and wallet addresses to Russia’s Federal Financial Monitoring Service.

Only small individual miners consuming energy below government-set limits can operate without registration.

The Bitcoin mining rules vary by state in both the U.S. and Canada. Mining operations within the U.S. are required to register as businesses and comply with local energy regulations. While in Canada, they register with provincial regulators.

Some areas like New York and Quebec have imposed a temporary ban on new mining operations due to environmental concerns, while others like Texas and British Columbia actively welcome miners.

Paraguay currently has 45 licensed cryptocurrency mining operations, according to various reports, with approximately 20 additional applicants seeking approval.

HIVE Digital Technologies announced on October 21, 2025, that it signed an agreement to develop an additional 100 megawatt hydroelectric-powered data center at its Yguazú site in Paraguay. This expansion is set to begin in early 2026, to be completed in the third quarter of the year, increasing HIVE’s total capacity in Paraguay to 400 megawatts.

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