Crypto Miner Convicted in Russia for Allegedly Stealing Power to Mint Digital Coins

A regional court has sentenced a man accused of illegally connecting his crypto farm to the grid to two years in prison. The decision comes as authorities in Moscow prepare to address the lack of proper regulations for cryptocurrency mining, which has become a popular source of income in Russia. Illegal Crypto Farm Burns 1.3 … Read more

Georgia Goes After Crypto Miners Using Subsidized Electricity in Historic Town

A record high consumption of electricity blamed on illegal crypto farms in northwestern Georgia has caught the attention of authorities in the capital Tbilisi. The central government and the local utility are taking on the issue of dealing with power shortages in the mountainous region of Svaneti. With Tourism Hit by Pandemic, People in Georgia … Read more

Bitcoin Mining Firm Luxor Launches ASIC Trading Desk

On January 11, 2022, the Washington-based bitcoin mining operation Luxor announced the launch of a new application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) trading desk. According to the company, Luxor’s new trading desk will give miners and investors access to bitcoin ASIC mining rigs “at a fair market price.” NYDIG-Backed Mining Operation Luxor Reveals ASIC Trading Desk Service … Read more

Kazakhstan Is Stabilizing, Government Claims as Crypto Miners Look to Future in Country

The situation across Kazakhstan, hit by anti-government protests in the first week of the year, is normalizing, central authorities claim. The country’s massive crypto mining industry, which faced an internet blackout during civil unrest on top of power shortages, now hopes that the country will nevertheless remain an attractive location for miners. President Tokayev Has … Read more

Kosovo Seizes Hundreds of Crypto Mining Machines in Crackdown

Police in Kosovo seized another batch of over 200 mining devices as part of raids that started on Thursday. The offensive against underground crypto farms was launched after authorities in Pristina banned the power-hungry minting of digital currencies amid an energy crisis in the country. Authorities in Kosovo Confiscate Mining Hardware in Serb Majority North … Read more

Kazakhstan Shuts Down Banks, Internet Amid Unrest That Threatens Bitcoin Mining, Hashrate

Measures imposed by authorities to quell mass protests in mining hotspot Kazakhstan are affecting cryptocurrency markets and the Bitcoin network hashrate. To deal with the civil unrest caused by rising fuel prices and a worsening economy, the government restricted access to the internet and closed down local banks. Fears are rising that the turmoil may … Read more

Canaan Expands Mining Operations in Kazakhstan Amid Power Deficit, Protests

Hardware manufacturer Canaan is expanding its crypto mining operations in Kazakhstan. The company is now cooperating with a number of mining firms there and has already deployed over 10,000 pieces of hardware despite the country’s challenges with electricity supply. Increased energy prices have also provoked protests that could potentially affect the industry. Canaan Secures Mining … Read more

Kosovo Halts Cryptocurrency Mining Amid Energy Crisis

The government of Kosovo has decided to suspend crypto mining activities in the country as part of measures to deal with power shortages this winter. The move has been proposed by a special parliamentary committee tasked with bridging the gap between electricity demand and supply. Kosovo Authorities Ban Crypto Mining to Save Needed Energy The … Read more

Power Outages in Russia’s Irkutsk Region Blamed on Home Miners

Russians mining cryptocurrency in their homes have been blamed for the problems with the electricity supply in Irkutsk. Power outages have become a frequent occurrence in the region which maintains the lowest electricity rates in Russia. Subsidized household energy has turned mining into a source of income for many locals. Electricity Consumption Spikes Amid Spread … Read more