Hidden crypto farm in Mexican mountains puts spotlight on cartel

Mexican authorities investigating a clandestine cryptocurrency operation in the Sierra Norte region of Puebla say the suspected scheme relied on stolen power and was aimed at laundering illicit funds. Police were drawn to a remote, noise-filled building in the mountains and found 300 graphics processing units (GPUs), 80 medium-voltage terminals and eight satellite antennae, enough to compete with millions of machines to mine virtual coins. It was the fourth such crypto farm uncovered in the area since early last year, highlighting the growing use of crypto by drug cartels beyond trafficking and extortion. A security analyst said the setup required technical expertise and backing from a well-financed cartel, while Mexico’s federal attorney declined to comment.