- Russia has approved a ban on cryptocurrency mining and mining pool participation in Moscow, the surrounding Moscow region, and parts of the Kursk region from 15 August through the end of 2032.
- The government said the ban is needed to protect the electricity grid, warning that energy-intensive mining could worsen power shortages in affected regions.
- The move expands Russia’s regional mining restrictions introduced in late 2024, while the country continues to regulate cryptocurrency mining nationally rather than imposing a nationwide ban.
Russia has approved a long-term prohibition on cryptocurrency mining and mining pool participation covering Moscow, the surrounding Moscow region and parts of the Kursk region from 15 August until the end of 2032, citing concerns over electricity supply.
The measures cover the whole of Moscow and Moscow Oblast, together with eight municipal districts in Kursk Oblast and the city of Lgov, after the Energy Ministry concluded the affected regions could face electricity shortages without a permanent ban on mining activities.
Officials said connecting electricity-intensive mining facilities to the power grid could create energy capacity shortfalls, prompting the introduction of the new restrictions.
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Grid Pressure Explained
Moscow Oblast Energy Minister Sergei Voropanov previously estimated cryptocurrency mining consumes roughly 1GW of electricity across the Moscow grid. He also projected combined data centre capacity in Moscow and the surrounding region could increase to 3.6GW by 2032, or around 17% of the grid’s expected maximum load, although this estimate covers all data centres rather than mining alone.
The latest decree builds on a broader regional strategy introduced in late 2024, when Russia imposed mining restrictions in several energy-constrained regions. While some of those limits continue until 2031, others are enforced only during periods of heightened electricity demand.
Russia has nevertheless continued regulating the cryptocurrency mining industry at a national level instead of imposing a blanket nationwide ban, while broader work on the country’s cryptocurrency framework also continues.
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