Russia Widens Crypto Mining Ban to Moscow and Parts of Kursk Region

Russia has expanded its crypto mining ban to include Moscow and parts of the Kursk Region, effective from August 15, 2026. The restrictions will remain in place until December 31, 2032.

The ban was signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on July 25, 2026, and published on Russia's official legal information portal on July 31, 2026. It amends Resolution No. 1869, which previously restricted crypto mining in certain territories.

The decree prohibits digital currency mining in Moscow and the Moscow Region, as well as participation in mining pools in these areas. This includes both independent mining and pooled operations.

In Kursk Region, restrictions will be applied to eight municipal districts: Belovsky, Bolshesoldatsky, Glushkovsky, Korenevsky, Lgovsky, Rylsky, Sudzhansky, and Khomutovsky. The city of Lgov will also fall under the new regulation.

The government linked the expansion of the ban to pressure on electricity infrastructure, citing concerns that unrestricted mining could cause shortage capacity risks for electricity. Regional estimates suggest that mining demand in Moscow's power system is around one gigawatt, while local data center capacity is expected to reach 3.6 gigawatts by 2032.