Libyan authorities have escalated their efforts against cryptocurrency mining, with recent legal actions highlighting the crackdown. In November 2025, nine individuals were sentenced to three years in prison for operating Bitcoin mining equipment at a steel plant in Zlitan. Their equipment was confiscated, and they were ordered to return illicit profits. Despite a 2018 ban by the Central Bank of Libya on cryptocurrency transactions due to money laundering and terrorism financing concerns, mining activities persist. Legal expert Nadia Mohammed noted that while Libyan law does not explicitly criminalize mining, related illegal activities such as unauthorized electricity use and equipment importation often lead to prosecutions. Mohammed suggests that regulatory measures, including licensing, could better manage the industry.