Sanctions, Disagreements Hamper Regulation of Crypto Mining in Russia, Experts Say

The changing geopolitical and economic environment, as well as persisting differences between responsible government institutions, are hindering the advance of legislation tailored to regulate cryptocurrency mining in Russia. According to a report quoting industry watchers, these factors are halting the advance of the necessary legislation. Two Draft Laws on Mining Await Approval by the Russian … Read more

Crypto Miners in Russia’s Irkutsk Region Fined Almost $1.7 Million This Year

Authorities in the energy-rich Russian region of Irkutsk have imposed hefty fines on crypto miners this year for illegal use of electricity to produce digital currencies. Power utilities have also filed hundreds of lawsuits, a report reveals, quoting prosecutors. Irkutsk Crypto Miners Pay 100 Million Rubles in Fines in 2022 Cryptocurrency mining has become a … Read more

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

Bitcoin Miners Take in Bear Rally Profits by Selling More Than 6,000 BTC Since August 1

Bitcoin’s value against the U.S. dollar lost 7.3% during the last 24 hours after more than $600 million in value was removed from the $1.07 trillion crypto economy. Statistics show that a number of bitcoin miners capitulated over the last two weeks, selling 5,925 bitcoin worth millions, according to cryptoquant.com data. More Than 6,100 Bitcoin … 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

Binance Obtains In-principle Approval to Operate With Cryptocurrencies in Kazakhstan

Crypto exchange Binance has been granted preliminary approval to offer trading and custody services for digital assets in Kazakhstan. The exchange is yet to complete the full application process but the development has already been hailed as a landmark achievement for the company in the Central Asian nation which only recently took steps to regulate … Read more

Crypto Trading, Investing Illegal in Iran, Central Bank Governor Reiterates

It is illegal to buy or sell cryptocurrency in Iran, the head of the country’s monetary authority has recently reminded citizens and businesses. The governor noted, however, that mining cryptocurrencies and using them in payments for imports is not against the law in the Islamic Republic. Top Banker Confirms Crypto Trading Still Illegal in Iran … Read more

Kazakhstan Investigates Crypto Mining Hotel Allegedly Operating as Ponzi Scheme

Authorities in Kazakhstan have launched an investigation into a mining hotel business suspected of being a crypto pyramid as part of an ongoing crackdown on illegal activities linked to cryptocurrencies. The platform, called Bincloud, lured investors through popular messaging apps. Bincloud Operators Kept 16% of Investors’ Funds for Themselves Amid intensified efforts to fight crypto-related … Read more

Cleanspark Acquires Plug-in-Ready Bitcoin Mining Facility With up to 86 MW of Capacity

On Tuesday, the bitcoin mining company Cleanspark announced it acquired a plug-in-ready bitcoin mining facility that is scalable to 86 megawatts (MW) of capacity. Presently, the newly opened site in Washington, Georgia, has 36 megawatts, which is expected to give Cleanspark’s hashrate a 38% boost this quarter. Publicly-Listed Bitcoin Miner Cleanspark Expands Operations in Georgia … Read more