Russia Proposes Six-Year Ban on Crypto Mining in Key Regions

Russia has proposed a draft decree that would ban cryptocurrency mining in Moscow and Kursk Oblast until 2032. The ban would take effect on July 1, 2026, and would apply to at least 65 data centers with a cumulative capacity of 734 MW.

The regions' energy footprint is a major concern for Russian officials. According to the Ministry of Energy, Moscow-area mining alone consumes an estimated 1 GW of electricity. Nationally, data centers in Russia are projected to reach a total capacity of 15.3 GW within five years.

Government officials have stated that cryptocurrency mining's economic contribution does not justify its energy footprint. The ban is part of a broader pattern that accelerated since Russia legalized mining through Law No. 221-FZ in 2024. Mining bans have already been instituted across more than 13 regions of Russia.