The Iranian police force in the nation's capitol of Tehran have taken nearly 10,000 illegally running Bitcoin mining devices since March of this year.

The police action comes after Iranian officials ordered they crack down on Bitcoin miners due to the country's electrical infrastructure failing. Leaders there have blamed cryptocurrency mining leading to an increase in the demand for electricity as one of the causes for recent blackouts.

The most current Iranian government ruling on mining, which is still in effect, says that mining farms may only be powered by renewable energy sources, and not connected to the public grid.

The most recent amended version of the `law is more lenient than earlier versions, since it permits hiring power providers from other parts of Iran.

"Majority" Located in Schools and Mosques...

According to the director of the Tehran Electricity Distribution Company, majority of the seizures occurred in mosques and schools.

This is because most Mosques and Schools in the country are enrolled in incentive programs that give them free, or extremely discounted electricity.  Once you own the mining rigs the only expense miners  have to deal with are power costs, so taking advantage of locations like these makes mining an "all profit" venture.

Iran's mining industry has been on a wild ride full of ups and downs.  It's been allowed, it's been banned, and currently the rule is 'allowed, but with permission' which has miners needing to obtain the government's approval, and operate within government provided limitations.

We do not know if those who were found to be illegally mining will face any punishment beyond the loss of their hardware.

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Author: Adam Lee 
Asia News Desk / Breaking Crypto News

In an unexpected move from a country that makes most of it's money from oil exports, Iran, which has a love-hate relationship with Bitcoin mining, once again allows mining farms to function normally - provided that it is supplied from renewable sources.

Since December of last year, Bitcoin mining has been prohibited in the country. Due to its seasons of extreme heat or cold, they needed to increase the amount of available power on energy grid, forcing crypto miners to shut down was among their first moves to do so.

Midway through the previous year, mining farms were granted permits on the condition that they utilize on-site generators to at least lower the energy taken from public power system. But a few weeks later, access to public electricity was again prohibited.

Now, the Iranian government has lifted the ban, with the stipulation that electricity must be provided only from renewable sources.

 Typically, miners love the chance to switch to renewables, as electricity generated from renewable sources is less expensive than electricity generated from traditional fuels. As a result, Bitcoin mining farms can reduce their production costs and boost their profitability by utilizing renewable energy.

This is not limited to renewable energy that miners produce themselves through technologies like solar; they can can also buy from power companies as long as they're purchasing energy generated renewably.

We expect an increase in hashpower coming from the country whose government is still on a list of countries with which most western governments don't do business with, because of ties to terrorist groups.

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Author: Adam Lee 
Asia News Desk / Breaking Crypto News