ANDE Engineers Suspected of Setting Up Illegal Bitcoin Mines

Engineers from the National Power Administration (ANDE) are suspected of setting up illegal Bitcoin mines. Over 70 illegal mines stealing electricity have been shut down since December 2023.

Paraguayan engineers linked to illegal Bitcoin mines

Seven engineers from Paraguay's National Power Administration (ANDE) are being investigated for their alleged involvement in setting up illegal Bitcoin mining farms across the country, according to local newspaper reports.

ANDE has been cracking down on illegal crypto mining operations, which are said to be siphoning off millions of dollars' worth of electricity.

The national prosecutor's office is working closely with ANDE on this matter.

The engineers are accused of orchestrating unauthorized electrical connections to power Bitcoin mining activities, and ANDE President Felix Sosa said the institution's internal audit unit is examining these allegations.

Sosa also clarified that ANDE employees have not been involved in installing electrical connections for some time, as this task is now handled by external contractors.

"ANDE officials or third-party personnel could be involved in the installation of these connections," Sosa added.

However, he noted that the engineers are responsible for approving these installations and ensuring they comply with technical specifications.

Illegal mining ventures continue to pose a major threat to ANDE's operations, and the organization has been carrying out a campaign against unauthorized Bitcoin mining activities since December of last year.

To date, more than 70 illegal mining sites have been shut down for stealing unmetered power directly from the national grid, according to ANDE.

The Paraguayan government sees Bitcoin mining as a potential driver for industrial development, given the country's vast surplus energy reserves and high unemployment rates.

It is viewed as an opportunity to utilize these excess resources and create a labor-intensive industry, with Bitcoin mining serving as a model for expanding other sectors of the economy.