Mining Farm Worker Pleads Guilty to Diverting 100 PCs to Own Bitcoin Pool

Christopher Rankin admitted guilt in a US case involving unauthorized mining at his employer’s facility. According to the plea, Rankin diverted around 100 computers to his own mining pool in 2021, instead of using them for company operations. That side mining produced 1.067 BTC, worth about $53,315 at the time.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 17. Rankin could receive up to one year in prison and a fine as high as $100,000.

The case highlights insider misuse risk at industrial mining operations. No additional details on the employer or how the activity was detected were included in the statement.