Abu Dhabi has officially prohibited cryptocurrency mining on agricultural land, with authorities announcing a fine of Dh100,000 for violators. In case of repeat offenses, the penalty will be doubled.
The announcement followed inspections that uncovered several farms involved in mining activities. The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (Adafsa) stated that all services and support for non-compliant farms will be suspended immediately.
Back in 2024, officials had warned that fines for such violations would reach up to Dh10,000. The newly introduced penalty for 2025 represents a 900% increase.
The ban applies to both farm owners and tenants, as crypto mining is considered harmful to agricultural sustainability, food security, and biosecurity standards.
For farms found in violation, authorities will cut off electricity, seize mining equipment, and halt all support programmes provided to the owner. Offenders will also be referred to relevant legal bodies for further action under existing laws.
Adafsa urged farm owners and workers in both plant and livestock sectors to strictly avoid any activity outside the approved agricultural and livestock uses defined by the authority.
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