Iran Continues Crackdown on Illegal Crypto Mining, Seizes Hundreds of Mining Rigs

Authorities in Iran persist with their efforts to curb unauthorized cryptocurrency mining. The state-run power distribution company has recently identified over a dozen underground crypto farms in Tehran and other regions, unplugging hundreds of mining units illegally connected to the grid. Power Utility Busts 14 Crypto Farms in Homes Across Iran The Iranian government continues … Read more

Russian Officials Back Idea of Recognizing Crypto Miners as Entrepreneurs

Cryptocurrency mining should be recognized as an entrepreneurial activity under Russian law and taxed accordingly, representatives of key ministries in Moscow and the parliament have indicated. Officials believe the regulatory move would benefit both the state and the crypto industry. Russian Government to Collect Millions of Dollars in Taxes After Legalizing Crypto Mining While the … Read more

Swedish Regulators Call for EU Ban on Crypto Mining, Power Company Defends Industry

Alarmed by the rising energy needs of cryptocurrency mining, Sweden’s financial and environmental regulators have recently proposed an EU-wide ban on proof-of-work coin minting. The Swedish officials believe this would encourage a move towards a more energy-efficient extraction of bitcoin while supporting the transition towards climate neutrality in Sweden and Europe. A state-run power company … Read more

Kazakhstan President Demands ‘Urgent’ Regulation of Crypto Mining Amid Power Shortages

Facing an electricity deficit largely blamed on cryptocurrency miners, Kazakhstan is trying to avoid an energy crisis this winter. The president of the country has insisted on the need to maintain power supply for the industry and population, calling for urgent legal regulation of the expanding coin minting sector. President Tokaev Calls for Legislative Regulation … Read more

Russia Considers Selling Power to Kazakhstan Amid Deficit Caused by Crypto Miners

State-owned Russian energy giant Inter RAO is now discussing electricity supplies for Kazakhstan where crypto miners have allegedly caused a spike in consumption this year. The country is expecting the power deficit to reach 600 megawatts as demand during the winter increases even further. Kazakhstan Likely to Buy Electricity From Russian Federation to Deal With … Read more

Single Mining Farm Needs as Much Power as 24,000 Homes, Kazakhstan Estimates

Authorities in Kazakhstan have calculated the energy used in the country’s crypto mining industry which competes for electricity with other sectors of the economy and households. The government has also estimated the additional supply necessary to meet the growing demand from mining farms and proposed a cap on the power rating of new facilities. Kazakhstan … Read more

Russian Oil Companies Propose to Mine Cryptocurrencies at Their Wells

Companies involved in oil production in Russia have come up with a project to organize the mining of cryptocurrencies right next to the oil fields they are exploiting. Data centers devoted to coin minting can be powered by the excess gas released during oil extraction which would otherwise be wasted. Ministries and Central Bank Review … Read more

Russia, Belarus Move to Introduce Special Electricity Tariffs for Crypto Miners

Authorities in Belarus and the Russian Federation are taking steps to separate cryptocurrency miners from other groups of power users and deny them access to subsidized energy. This could lead to the adoption of differentiated electricity rates for businesses involved in digital coin minting activities. Cryptocurrency Miners in Russia and Belarus May Face Higher Energy … Read more

Putin: Still Early but Crypto Can Be Used for Oil Trade Settlements, Store of Value

Accusing the U.S. of undermining the dollar through money printing and sanctions policy, President Vladimir Putin has admitted that cryptocurrency can be utilized for settlements in the future, although it’s too early to do that in oil trade. While noting that it lacks backing, the Russian leader assumed crypto could be used to store value … Read more