Russia Expands Bitcoin Mining Ban to Moscow on Power Strain
Russia has become the world’s second-largest Bitcoin mining hub after the United States, helped by low-cost power, a cold climate and surplus hydroelectric capacity. Moscow brought mining into a regulated framework in 2024 while retaining its ban on domestic cryptocurrency payments. It nevertheless created an experimental regime for cross-border settlements, allowing Russian-mined Bitcoin and other digital assets to be used in foreign trade as Western sanctions made bank payments with partners including China and Turkey more difficult.
Under government Resolution No. 936, published July 31, mining and participation in mining pools are prohibited in Moscow, the Moscow Region, eight districts of the Kursk Region and the city of Lgov from Aug. 15, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2032. Authorities estimate mining draws about 1 gigawatt from Moscow’s power system. The area already has 65 grid-connected data centers with 734 megawatts of capacity, while total data-center capacity could reach 3.6 gigawatts, or 17% of peak load, by 2032.
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The history behind this eventRussia Expands Crypto Mining Ban to Moscow Through 2032
Russia has tightened oversight of cryptocurrency mining as energy-intensive computing and the rapid growth of data centers put additional strain on regional power systems. Extending restrictions to Moscow and surrounding areas is significant because the capital region is the country’s main population and business hub, signaling that electricity security has become a central consideration in the government’s regulation of the digital-asset industry.
The Russian government has amended its existing restrictions to prohibit cryptocurrency mining in Moscow and several surrounding areas. The expanded ban is scheduled to take effect on Aug. 15, 2026, and remain in force through Dec. 31, 2032, covering more than six years. The decree broadens the geographic reach of Russia’s mining controls as authorities seek to curb pressure on electricity supplies from mining operations and data-center expansion.
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