Bitcoin Network Experiences Slight Dip in Difficulty After Record High

Bitcoin’s difficulty decreased 0.49% on Feb. 12, 2023, following a sustained all-time high of 39.35 trillion over the previous two weeks (2,016 blocks). The decrease in difficulty offers a brief respite for bitcoin miners, after the network recorded a 14.94% increase in the last month. Bitcoin Difficulty Drops 0.49% Lower; Top Five Mining Pools Continue … Read more

Daily Raids on Crypto Farms as Abkhazia Intensifies Mining Crackdown

Authorities in Abkhazia are stepping up efforts to clamp down on cryptocurrency mining amid electricity shortages in the winter months. The government of the breakaway Georgian region announced it’s also taking measures to prevent imports of mining equipment. Abkhazia Creates Headquarters to Combat Illegal Crypto Mining Operations Police in Abkhazia are conducting daily raids to … Read more

State-backed Crypto Mining Farm under Construction in Russia’s Buryatia

A new crypto mining facility is being built in the Russian Republic of Buryatia with support from a government-affiliated company. Construction of the infrastructure for the large-scale project is already underway, carried out by a subsidiary of Russia’s largest mining operator, Bitriver. Bitriver Building Large Data Center for Cryptocurrency Mining in Buryatia, Siberia A 100-megawatt … Read more

Kazakhstan Law Limiting Crypto Miners’ Consumption of Electricity Enters Into Force

A new law expanding the regulatory framework for cryptocurrency miners while restricting their access to low-cost electricity has entered into force in Kazakhstan. The legislation introduces a licensing regime for mining with two different categories of licenses that companies will have to renew periodically. President Tokayev Sings Law Regulating Crypto Assets Mining and Exchange in … Read more

Russia Expands Its Crypto Mining Capacity, Report Reveals

The total capacity of crypto mining facilities in Russia has been increasing in the past year, despite the market downturn and sanctions, according to a survey of leading operators. Depressed prices of mining equipment and stronger interest from domestic customers have been identified as major factors for the trend. Miners Prepare for Growth as Total … Read more

Kazakhstan Launches Consultation on Proposals to Improve Crypto Trading

Financial authorities in Kazakhstan are starting a public consultation on draft changes to the country’s framework for digital-asset trading. The proposals include measures to reduce risks in the crypto market and improvements to the structure of exchange platforms. Kazakhstan’s Financial Hub Seeks to Amend Its Concept for Trading Digital Assets The Astana Financial Services Authority, … Read more

Kazakhstan Parliament Adopts Law Regulating Crypto Mining and Exchange

Lawmakers in Nur-Sultan have approved the final version of the law “On Digital Assets in the Republic of Kazakhstan.” The new legislation, including several other bills, regulates the circulation of cryptocurrencies in the country and introduces a licensing regime for crypto miners and exchanges. Senate Votes on Crypto Law, Sends It to President of Kazakhstan … Read more

Market Strategist Warns of ‘Blood’ on February 1 Ahead of Fed Meeting

Stocks, precious metals, and cryptocurrencies rallied during the first month of the year, and market strategists are saying that markets could retract in the near future if the U.S. Federal Reserve keeps hiking rates and maintaining a broader tightening policy. In three days, on Feb. 1, 2023, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is set … Read more

Crypto Miners in Kazakhstan Start Paying Higher Electricity Fees

Since the beginning of 2023, cryptocurrency miners operating in Kazakhstan are obliged to pay new fees for the power they need to mint digital coins. A surcharge introduced in 2021 now depends on the price of electricity consumed by bitcoin farms and can be much higher than the original levy. New Year Brings Higher Costs … Read more