Russian Caught Mining Crypto in Covid-19 Clinic

An IT specialist working for a medical institution in Russia’s Altai Republic has been detained for illegally mining cryptocurrency at the premises of a Covid-19 hospital. The man minted digital currencies using stolen electricity for almost a year before law enforcement busted his crypto farm. Altai Resident Apprehended for Running Underground Crypto Mining Operation An … Read more

Leading Japanese Online Broker SBI to Pull Out of Russia’s Crypto Mining Sector

SBI Holdings, the largest online brokerage in Japan, is shutting down its crypto mining business in the Russian Federation. Amid mounting uncertainty over the future of such investments due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as well as decreased mining profits, the financial firm said it plans to sell its equipment and withdraw. Japan’s SBI … Read more

Electricity Consumption of Russian Crypto Miners Spikes 20 Times in 5 Years, Research Finds

Power needs of cryptocurrency miners in Russia have grown significantly since 2017, with consumption of electrical energy seeing a 20-fold increase over the five-year period. In 2021, the minting of the coin with the largest market cap, bitcoin, required 1.25 gigawatts in the country. Experts say, however, that Russia has the spare capacities to satisfy … Read more

Police in Kazakhstan Arrest Gang Forcing IT Specialists to Run Crypto Farms

Law enforcement in Kazakhstan detained members of a crime group suspected of forcing IT experts into operating underground facilities for cryptocurrency mining with threats and blackmail. The racketeers allegedly made up to half a million U.S. dollars a month from their business. Kazakhstan Busts Illegal Crypto Mining Organization, Detains Dozens Authorities in Kazakhstan have arrested … Read more

Kosovo Renews Crypto Mining Ban Amid Rising Energy Prices

The government of Kosovo has adopted measures tailored to maintain energy supply in the coming months, including a ban on cryptocurrency mining. The move comes amid a sharp increase in import prices and the restrictions can be extended for up to six months. Authorities in Kosovo Reinstate Ban on Cryptocurrency Mining The executive power in … Read more

Iran Amends Regulations to Ease Crypto Miners’ Access to Renewable Energy

Authorities in Iran have revised some rules for the crypto mining industry in order to facilitate its access to green power. Licensed miners will now be able to purchase electricity produced from renewable sources from across the country at lower rates. Cryptocurrency Miners in Iran Allowed to Source Green Energy From Across Country Iran’s Ministry … Read more

Moscow, Karelia, Irkutsk — Study Lists Most Popular Crypto Mining Destinations in Russia

Russia could be a large player in the crypto mining space, experts in the field have established in research naming the most attractive regions for coin minting operations in the country. The capital Moscow is among the popular mining destinations alongside the places offering the cheapest power. Cost of Electricity, Logistics Determine Russian Miners’ Choice … Read more

Sweden Needs Power for More Useful Things Than Bitcoin Mining, Energy Minister Says

Concerned about projected increase in electricity demand, the government in Sweden may turn its back on crypto mining, the country’s energy minister has indicated. Swedish bitcoin minting industry, a leader in Europe, is likely to soon lose the preferential treatment it has been taking advantage of for some time, a media report revealed. Crypto Miners … Read more

Kazakhstan President Signs Law Increasing Tax Burden for Crypto Miners

President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed into law a bill amending the country’s Tax Code to impose higher tax rates on crypto miners. The levy will depend on the amount and average price of electricity utilized in the extraction of digital currencies like bitcoin. Cryptocurrency Miners in Kazakhstan to Pay Higher Taxes President Tokayev … Read more

Iranian Power Utility Tavanir Vows Severe Measures Against Unlicensed Crypto Miners

Iran’s state-owned power distribution company, Tavanir, has threatened harsher measures to discourage unauthorized crypto mining. These include much higher fines for those minting digital currencies with subsidized electricity and penalties for government officials involved in mining. Tavanir Raises Fines for Illegal Cryptocurrency Mining The Iran Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution Company (Tavanir) has adopted new, … Read more