Yevgeny Masharov, a member of the Russian Public Chamber and policy maker, said that authorities should be given the power to confiscate cryptocurrencies mined illegally or with quasi-legal status. Masharov believes that this proposal will prevent "gray" miners by making illegal mining unprofitable. Masharov stated that many regions are under huge pressure from illegal miners on their power grids, and if this proposal is accepted, regions in Russia, "especially those with energy shortages, will breathe a sigh of relief."