Paraguayan authorities disrupted an attempted theft at a cryptocurrency mining site near the Itaipu hydroelectric dam, arresting one suspect and deporting three foreign nationals. On May 15, prosecutor Irene Rolón confirmed that four individuals had broken into a restricted area of Teratech SA’s mining facility in Coronel Bogado.
The suspects were caught shortly after breaching the secured section. Police apprehended three Chinese nationals — Jinping Duan, Tian Jianyun, and Zheng Guanglong — who were deported due to a lack of official entry documentation. Investigators suspect the trio may have entered the country illegally through neighboring Brazil or Bolivia.
The fourth suspect, Paraguayan resident Nahun María Velázquez Garcete, was arrested and charged with aggravated theft. He is currently in pretrial detention after being hospitalized in critical condition, though authorities have not disclosed the nature of his injuries.
Officials believe the suspects may have previously been associated with Teratech as independent contractors, but this has yet to be confirmed by the company’s CEO. Prosecutor Rolón stated that the undocumented suspects claimed to be programmers, potentially working in the region for several months.
The incident underscores heightened security concerns in Paraguay’s energy-rich areas, particularly around the Itaipu dam, a major hydroelectric power source that has become a hotspot for crypto mining operations.
Bitcoin Mining’s Sustainable Energy Usage Surges to 52%, New Study Shows
Meanwhile, a study by Cambridge University has revealed that Bitcoin mining’s reliance on sustainable energy has risen to 52.4%, up from 37.6% in 2022. According to the report, renewable sources like wind and hydropower account for 42.6% of the sustainable energy used, while nuclear power contributes 9.8%.
The study also found that natural gas has overtaken coal as the dominant energy source for Bitcoin mining, with its share rising to 38.2% from 25% last year. Conversely, coal’s share has declined sharply from 36.6% to just 8.9%.
The United States remains a global leader in Bitcoin mining, bolstered by cheap electricity and strong capital markets. While President Donald Trump’s early pro-crypto stance initially encouraged mining expansion, regulatory uncertainty continues to loom over the sector.
