UAE: Abu Dhabi imposes strict ban and steep fines on crypto mining on agricultural lands

Abu Dhabi has officially banned cryptocurrency mining on agricultural land , enforcing strict penalties to protect the sustainability and security of its farms. Violators now face a Dh100,000 fine, which doubles for repeat offenses, along with service suspensions, electricity disconnections, and confiscation of mining equipment. This move reflects the authorities’ intensified efforts to preserve agricultural land for its intended purpose and prevent misuse.

The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority ( ADAFSA ) confirmed the ban following the detection of multiple farms misusing agricultural land for crypto mining—an activity strictly prohibited as it contradicts the designated use of farmland. In 2024, penalties for such violations were capped at Dh10,000; the current increase represents a sharp 900% rise, signaling zero tolerance moving forward.

Both farm owners and tenants found conducting cryptocurrency mining face these consequences. Beyond hefty fines, ADAFSA will suspend all services and support programs provided to offending farms. This includes disconnecting electricity to the site and confiscating the mining equipment involved. Subsequently, violators will be referred to relevant authorities for further legal proceedings under applicable laws.

ADAFSA emphasized that cryptocurrency mining on farms undermines agricultural sustainability and biosecurity, key concerns for the emirate’s food safety and environmental policies. The authority called on all farm owners and workers in both plant and animal sectors to strictly adhere to approved agricultural and livestock economic activities as defined by law.

Protecting Abu Dhabi’s agriculture and sustainability
This ban underscores Abu Dhabi’s dedication to protecting its agricultural sector from the environmental and operational impacts of cryptocurrency mining. Mining consumes large amounts of electricity, which can strain power supplies essential for farming operations. Additionally, mining equipment generates intense heat as it runs nonstop to solve complex calculations, requiring constant cooling to keep systems from overheating. To manage this, large-scale operations often rely heavily on water-based cooling systems, putting added pressure on local water resources that are already limited. The noise, heat, and environmental demands of such setups can disrupt farm environments and threaten biosecurity measures critical to plant and animal health. By enforcing stricter regulations and higher fines, ADAFSA aims to prevent misuse of farmland, safeguard food production capacity, and promote sustainable farming aligned with the emirate’s long-term goals for food security and environmental stewardship.

Through these measures, Abu Dhabi is reinforcing its commitment to ensuring that farmland remains dedicated exclusively to legitimate agricultural and livestock purposes, preventing activities that could jeopardize farm productivity and environmental balance.