[Russian State Duma Committee Recommends First Reading of Criminal Liability Bill for Illegal Crypto Mining] According to Bits.media, the Russian State Duma Committee on State Building and Legislation has recommended the first reading of the government-submitted bill on criminal liability for illegal cryptocurrency mining. The bill proposes adding Article 171.6 to the Criminal Code, titled 'Illegal Mining of Digital Assets and Activities of Mining Infrastructure Operators,' which applies to mining activities not included in the national registry and unauthorized provision of mining infrastructure services. Penalties will depend on the severity of the crime: - For income or damages exceeding 3.5 million rubles, the maximum penalty is a fine of 1.5 million rubles or two years' income, or up to two years of compulsory labor. - For crimes committed by organized groups or income exceeding 13 million rubles, the maximum penalty is a fine of 2.5 million rubles or three years' income, up to five years of compulsory labor or imprisonment, and an additional fine of up to 400,000 rubles or six months' income. In all cases, confiscation of the mined cryptocurrency is stipulated.