PANews reported on February 4th that Butuo County in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, recently issued a "Notice on Prohibiting Virtual Currency 'Mining' Activities," stating that virtual currency "mining" activities are explicitly prohibited by the state. The province and prefecture attach great importance to rectifying virtual currency "mining" activities and have made a series of arrangements and deployments. In order to maintain social stability and regulate market order, the county hereby issues the following notice prohibiting virtual currency "mining" activities:

• (i) All forms of virtual currency “mining” activities are prohibited, including but not limited to “mining” of virtual currencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.
• (II) Township governments and relevant industry authorities such as telecommunications and electricity shall strengthen the investigation and supervision of virtual currency mining activities in accordance with the principles of local and industry management, and resolutely crack down on illegal mining activities.
• (III) If any illegal mining activities are discovered, please report them to the Butuo County People's Government and the Development and Reform Bureau as soon as possible.