Moscow Bitcoin Mining Ban Hits Data Centers Until 2032
The government of Russia has expanded its 2024 decree banning cryptocurrency mining activities to include the city of Moscow and the Moscow region, effective from August 15 to December 31, 2032. The amendment also covers several municipal districts in the Kursk region.
The ban addresses significant strain on the local power grid caused by mining operations. Over 65 data centers operate in Moscow and the Moscow region, with a combined capacity of 734 MW.
This move follows similar restrictions enacted in December 2024 for Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia, North Ossetia, Chechnya, the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, Zaporizhzhia, and the Kherson region. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak previously stated that further restrictions would be issued to prioritize connecting social facilities and new enterprises.
The Ministry of Energy reported positive results from previous bans in Siberia, where the load on the power grid was reduced by over 300 MW, preventing restrictions for residents.