Tether has suspended its cryptocurrency mining operations in Uruguay after escalating energy costs and tariff disputes crippled the project. The company cited unpaid electricity bills nearing $5 million and persistent power cuts as the primary drivers behind the abrupt shutdown, resulting in the layoff of 30 employees. These issues have exacerbated a broader challenge facing large-scale crypto miners in Latin America, where stricter energy regulations are increasingly hindering operations. Tether’s Uruguayan project has been plagued by financial difficulties stemming from rising electricity charges and unyielding tariff disputes with the National Energy Authority (UTE). The company’s attempts to secure revised tariffs haven’t yielded success, leading to a cascade of events that culminated in the shutdown. Unpaid bills and intermittent power outages have further disrupted Tether’s operations at its Florida and Tacuarembó facilities, highlighting the critical role of stable energy prices for large-scale projects. While Tether has shifted its focus to other South American mining hubs in Paraguay and El Salvador, this case highlights the persistent impact of regulatory hurdles on cryptocurrency development in Latin America.