Russia Closes Moscow Mines, Boosting Global Hash Rate

Russia has expanded its cryptocurrency mining restrictions to Moscow and surrounding areas, reducing one of the world's major Bitcoin centers' mining capacity.

The ban takes effect on August 15 and will remain in force until the end of 2032. It covers Moscow, the Moscow Region, and several districts in the Kursk Region.

Russia's Ministry of Energy claims that high demand from energy-consuming mining facilities can adversely impact the power grid and create problems for other consumers.

The total Bitcoin network hash rate has decreased for two quarters in a row and is almost 12% lower than its December 2025 high. Russia's share of the global Bitcoin hash rate is approximately 17.2%, surpassed only by that of the United States.

Russia legalized crypto mining in August 2024, but it seems that energy limitations rather than financial policy are now dominating the debate about which locations will be able to continue Bitcoin mining operations.