Russia Blocks Crypto Mining in Moscow Until 2032
Russia has tightened its rules for cryptocurrency mining in Moscow, imposing a ban on the activity and participation in mining pools until 2032. The restriction begins on August 15 and affects eight municipal districts in the Kursk region and the city of Lgov.
The main justification for this decision is linked to electricity consumption, with authorities assessing that mining operations strain the capacity of local grids, especially during periods of higher demand. Sergei Voropanov, Energy Minister of the Moscow region, estimated that miners may consume about 1 gigawatt (GW) from the capital's power grid.
The growth of data centers also concerns the authorities, with Voropanov stating that the combined capacity of these facilities in Moscow and the region could reach 3.6 GW by 2032, representing approximately 17% of the projected peak load for the grid.