Russia to Ban Mining Activity in 10 Regions From Jan 2025: Report

The Russian government has approved a decree banning cryptocurrency mining in 10 regions from January 1, 2025, until March 15, 2031, according to a report by TASS.

The decision aims to address energy concerns and includes seasonal restrictions in key mining areas to prevent power outages.

The ban targets regions with limited energy resources or those heavily reliant on seasonal energy supplies. The new rules reflect growing efforts by Russian lawmakers to regulate the energy-intensive cryptocurrency sector.

Mining Ban To Be Implemented in Some Regions

The Russian government is introducing a ban on digital currency mining, including participation in mining pools, in the following regions: Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia, North Ossetia, Chechnya, the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, as well as the Zaporizhia and Kherson regions, as stated in the resolution.

Crypto mining will be banned in some areas of the Irkutsk Region, Buryatia and the Zabaikalsky Krai, but temporarily. Only during peak energy consumption.

According to the report, the list of regions and territories is not final. It can be adjusted based on the decisions of the government commission on issues of electric power development.

The objective of such restrictions is to maintain the balance of energy consumption taking into account the demands of industry.

Legal Status of Crypto Mining in Russia

Crypto mining has been legalized in the Russian Federation, provided that information about the assets received and the addresses of crypto wallets is provided to the Federal Tax Service (FTS).

On November 1, the FTS launched a service for entering data into the register of miners – this is mandatory for individual entrepreneurs and legal entities. Individuals can receive digital currency within 6 thousand kWh per month.

AI Tech To Fight Illegal Crypto Mining

Earlier this month it emerged a group of Russian academics have developed an AI solution that can track down illegal crypto mining operations. The solution is a groundbreaking “world’s first” and will let power companies “combat illegal mining.”

The solution was reportedly developed by St. Petersburg State University. Its masterminds called illegal crypto mining “one of the most pressing problems” now facing “Russia’s energy system.”