Venezuela has intensified its crackdown on cryptocurrency mining, disconnecting all mining farms from the national power grid due to their high energy consumption.

The latest move follows the seizure of 2,304 Bitcoin mining ASICs in Maracay, with Governor Lacava leading efforts to confiscate 11,000 Bitcoin machines and potentially more in the future.

This crackdown aims to stabilize the electricity supply and address power outages, as officials blame mining activities for energy issues.

The ban on crypto mining is also linked to a corruption scandal involving the state oil company PDVSA and SUNACRIP.

Despite economic challenges, Venezuela's interest in using crypto remains strong, with the state-run oil company looking to utilize USDT for exports.

The shutdown has left many Venezuelan miners without support programs, sparking debates over the permanency of the ban and miners' right to contribute to the country's energy infrastructure.

Additionally, the emergence of a meme coin named Smog has garnered attention, offering rewards on platforms like Cointelegraph.