Sharp Rise in Cryptocurrency-Related Criminal Cases
The number of court cases involving cryptocurrency, crypto exchanges, and mining surged by 50% in a year, reaching 1,531 cases in 2021. Of these, the majority—954 cases—were criminal proceedings. Another quarter (365 cases) were civil cases, 9% (141 cases) were bankruptcy cases, and 5% (71 cases) were administrative cases.
Most of the crimes were related to drug trafficking, money laundering, and illegal gambling operations. Additionally, during this period, courts ordered individuals to pay 61 million rubles in damages for using electricity for mining, according to Izvestia.
Legal and Regulatory Challenges
The Ministry of Energy stated that business owners must pay different electricity rates than residential customers. According to legal experts, as long as digital currencies are not fully integrated into the legal framework, transactions involving them carry high risks.
Details of Criminal and Civil Cases
Cryptocurrency most frequently appears in criminal cases related to drug trafficking, as people use it to maintain anonymity. In 2021, 738 such cases were initiated. Other criminal cases involved the legalization and laundering of money, mainly proceeds from drug sales. Another major category of criminal proceedings was the illegal organization and operation of gambling activities.
Among civil disputes, the most common claims were for the recovery of unjust enrichment in cryptocurrency purchases (42 cases). For example, if someone transferred money to a third party to buy crypto but received less than expected, they could file a claim.
Bankruptcy and Mining Issues
The number of bankruptcy cases involving cryptocurrency ownership doubled in 2021. In these cases, crypto assets are considered property, so proof of ownership—such as account statements—must be provided. Unauthorized use of electricity for mining without a contract is considered a civil offense and results in debt recovery.
Research and Data Sources
To prepare this report, RTM Group analyzed data from published rulings of general jurisdiction and arbitration courts, as well as information from official agency letters and draft laws.