Paraguayan authorities have successfully thwarted a theft attempt at a cryptocurrency mining facility located near the Itaipu hydroelectric dam. This operation led to the arrest of one individual and the deportation of three foreign nationals.
On May 15, prosecutor Irene Rolón announced that four suspects were apprehended after they illegally entered a restricted area at Teratech SA’s mining operation in Coronel Bogado.
The suspects were captured shortly after breaching the security perimeter, prompting a swift response from local law enforcement.
Three Chinese Nationals Detained and Deported
Among those apprehended, three were identified as Chinese nationals: Jinping Duan, Tian Jianyun, and Zheng Guanglong. They were deported after authorities determined they lacked official entry documentation into Paraguay.
Investigators suspect that these individuals may have crossed into Paraguay without authorization, likely entering through Brazil or Bolivia.
The fourth suspect, Nahun María Velázquez Garcete, is a local resident and is now facing serious charges of aggravated theft.
Currently in pretrial detention, Velázquez Garcete remains hospitalized in critical condition, with details regarding his injuries not yet disclosed.
Officials believe the suspects may have previously engaged with Teratech as independent contractors, though this has yet to be confirmed pending a statement from the company’s CEO.
Prosecutors express concern that additional individuals might have participated in the attempted theft, and investigations are underway to track down further suspects.
Rolón remarked that the undocumented suspects claimed to be programmers, potentially working within the region for several months, although their direct connection to Teratech is still unclear.
This incident has reignited worries about security issues in Paraguay’s energy-rich regions.
The Itaipu dam, renowned as one of the largest hydroelectric installations globally, has attracted cryptocurrency miners due to its abundant energy supply and low operational costs, positioning it as a significant hub for crypto mining activities in Latin America.
The ongoing investigation aims to uncover the full scope of this attempted operation.
Sustainable Energy Usage in Bitcoin Mining Reaches 52%
Meanwhile, a recent study from Cambridge University reveals that sustainable energy now accounts for 52.4% of Bitcoin mining operations, marking a notable rise from the 37.6% reported in 2022.
According to the findings, 42.6% of the sustainable energy used in Bitcoin mining comes from renewable sources such as wind and hydropower, while nuclear energy contributes 9.8%.
Natural gas has surpassed coal as the predominant energy source for Bitcoin mining, with its usage increasing to 38.2%, compared to 25% the previous year.
Conversely, coal’s contribution has significantly decreased to 8.9%, down from 36.6%.
Following China’s crackdown on the crypto sector in 2021, the United States emerged as a global leader in Bitcoin mining.
With access to inexpensive electricity and robust capital markets, American mining companies quickly established dominance, propelled initially by the optimism surrounding the pro-crypto policies of former President Donald Trump.
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