The government of Abu Dhabi has issued a strict ban on all cryptocurrency mining activities on agricultural land, implementing a substantial fine of AED 100,000 for violators. The move, enforced by the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (Adafsa), aims to curb practices that threaten the emirate’s food security and agricultural sustainability goals.
A 900% Increase in Penalties
The new regulation represents a significant escalation in the government’s stance against unauthorized land use. The AED 100,000 fine is a 900% increase from the previous year’s penalty of AED 10,000. Furthermore, authorities have stated that the fine will be doubled for repeat violations, signaling a zero-tolerance policy for offenders, which applies to both farm owners and tenants.
Strict Enforcement Measures
Adafsa has outlined a series of stringent enforcement actions for farms found to be non-compliant. Following inspections that uncovered several farms engaged in crypto mining, the authority confirmed it will immediately suspend all services and support to the violating properties. Additional measures include cutting electricity supplies, seizing all mining equipment, and referring the cases to the appropriate legal bodies for further action.
Prioritizing Food Security Over Unregulated Tech
The ban stems from growing concerns about the environmental and economic impact of energy-intensive crypto mining operations. Adafsa has classified crypto mining as an activity incompatible with approved agricultural and livestock purposes. The authority emphasized that such unauthorized activities pose a direct threat to agricultural sustainability, biosecurity standards, and the UAE’s broader food security objectives, urging all farm operators to adhere strictly to land use regulations.
About The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority
The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (Adafsa) is the government entity responsible for agriculture, food safety, food security, and biosecurity in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Its mandate includes developing sustainable agricultural and food sectors and ensuring the safety of food throughout the supply chain to protect public health.
Source: MEA Tech Watch
