Russia Slaps Ban on Crypto Mining in Moscow and Parts of Kursk Region

Russia has announced plans to ban cryptocurrency mining in Moscow and parts of the Kursk region, effective from August 15, 2031, until December 31, 2031. The decree was signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and aims to curb excessive power consumption by mining operations.

The decision follows a request from the Moscow region's energy ministry in April, which reported that electricity usage by mining operations exceeded 1 GW, straining the local grid and contributing to energy shortages.

This new measure is part of a broader pattern of regional mining restrictions across Russia. Since January 1, 2025, the government has banned mining in several regions due to energy security concerns and subsidized tariffs making large-scale mining burdensome.