Abu Dhabi imposes prohibition of cryptocurrency mining in agricultural lands

By Hannah Pérez

The measure, imposed by the ABU Dhabi Agriculture Authority, seeks to promote responsible use of agricultural land; Especially given the intensive use of cryptocurrency mining as bitcoin.

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• The ABU Dhabi Agriculture Authority imposes a prohibition of Bitcoin mining.
• The measure seeks to promote responsible use of agricultural land.
• “The use of farm farm for crypto mining contravenes legal provisions,” said the authority.

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The ABU Dhabi Food Agriculture and Security Authority has announced the prohibition of the use of agricultural lands for cryptocurrency mining activities, reaffirming its commitment to the responsible use of land and environmental sustainability.

According to the official statement of the ADAFSA, this measure seeks to ensure that agricultural lands are used exclusively for crop production and cattle raising, in line with land use regulations in the region.

Cryptocurrency mining, a process that requires high energy consumption to validate transactions in networks Blockchainhas been indicated as incompatible with the agricultural and sustainability objectives of Abu Dhabi.

The ADAFSA stressed that these activities “They are not allowed in agricultural lands ” and represent a threat to food security and environmental balance due to its high energy consumption. “The use of farm for cryptocurrency mining contravene the legal and economic provisions established for agricultural lands ”said the authority in his official statement.

Severe sanctions for offenders

The prohibition, immediately, includes severe sanctions for those who violate the regulations.

As the local authority warned, the Infringers will face fines of up to 100,000 AED (approximately USD $ 27,229), which will double in case of recidivism.

In addition, the ADAFSA said that it will suspend all support services and programs for the owner of the farm, disconnect electricity, confiscate the mining equipment and send it to the relevant authorities to undertake additional legal actions in accordance with the applicable legislation.

The ADAFSA decision responds to recent cases detected of farms that diverted the use of their lands to establish cryptocurrency mining operations, taking advantage of the available electrical infrastructure. As Condesk points out, these activities have generated concern due to their impact on energy consumption, a critical resource in the region.

The authority seeks not only to preserve agricultural land for its original purpose, but also align this measure with the sustainability policies of the United Arab Emirates, which prioritize energy efficiency and environmental protection.

Implications for the crypto sector

This prohibition could have a significant impact on the cryptocurrency sector in Abu Dhabi, especially for those operators who sought to establish mining centers in rural areas. The measure reinforces the position of the authorities to strictly regulate high energy consumption activities, at a time when the region promotes initiatives to diversify its economy while maintaining its commitment to sustainability.

The ADAFSA has urged farm owners to comply with current regulations and report any suspicious activity related to cryptocurrency mining in agricultural land. With this action, Abu Dhabi reaffirms its leadership in the promotion of responsible practices in land use, balancing technological development with the preservation of its natural resources.

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Article written with the help of AI, edited by Diariobitcoin

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