The Russian government has approved a comprehensive set of restrictions on cryptocurrency mining, with blanket bans in 10 regions and seasonal limitations in three Siberian territories. The measures, announced on December 24 by the local news agency TASS, will take effect on January 1, 2025, and extend until March 15, 2031.
The blanket bans will prohibit all cryptocurrency mining activities, including mining pool operations and individual efforts, in 10 regions. These include Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia, North Ossetia, Chechnya, the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, as well as the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. The move aligns with Russia’s cryptocurrency mining laws signed by the president in August and October 2024.
To prevent energy blackouts during peak consumption periods, Russia will impose seasonal restrictions in the Siberian regions of Irkutsk, Buryatia, and Zabaikalsky. These measures will initially apply from January 1 to March 15, 2025, and will later extend to a longer period from November 15 to March 15 in subsequent years.
The restrictions reflect a refined version of earlier proposals, which initially included a ban in 13 regions. Notably, the key mining region of Irkutsk—home to major data centers like BitRiver’s flagship facility in Bratsk—has avoided a full ban. BitRiver, a leading player in Russia’s mining industry, has leveraged the region’s low-cost electricity since launching operations in 2019. While BitRiver has not commented on the potential impact of the new restrictions, the seasonal limitations signal a compromise to balance energy demand with mining activities.
Russia’s targeted approach highlights its intention to regulate the crypto mining sector while preserving operations in key regions. By implementing regional bans and seasonal restrictions, the government aims to address energy consumption concerns without fully dismantling its mining industry.