RUSSIA BANS BITCOIN MINING IN MOSCOW REGION THROUGH 2032

In brief: 

₿- Government Decree No. 936 introduces restrictions on Bitcoin mining and mining pool participation until the end of 2032, with authorities citing projected electricity demand concerns.

₿- The move comes as Russia develops a broader cryptocurrency framework, combining regional mining limitations with nationwide rules for registered mining operators, equipment monitoring, and digital asset market oversight.

Russia has introduced a long-term ban on Bitcoin mining across Moscow, the surrounding Moscow region, and parts of Kursk Oblast, marking one of the country’s largest regional restrictions on cryptocurrency mining to date. The measure is based on concerns over electricity demand and comes as Russia continues expanding its broader regulatory framework for the digital asset industry.

Russia expands regional Bitcoin mining restrictions

Russia’s government has approved a ban on Bitcoin mining and participation in cryptocurrency mining pools across Moscow, Moscow Oblast, eight municipal districts in Kursk Oblast, and the city of Lgov. Government Decree No. 936 was signed on July 25, published on the country’s official legal information portal on August 1, and will take effect on August 15. The restrictions are scheduled to remain in force through the end of 2032.

The decree formalizes a proposal previously introduced by Russia’s Ministry of Energy, which cited concerns that unrestricted mining activity could increase electricity demand in the affected regions. According to the ministry, the restrictions are intended to address potential pressure on local power infrastructure as energy consumption continues to grow.

Regional officials have estimated that cryptocurrency mining currently accounts for approximately one gigawatt of electricity consumption across the Moscow region, making it a notable contributor to overall energy demand.

Energy demand remains a key consideration

Officials project that the combined data centre capacity of Moscow and Moscow Oblast could reach 3.6 gigawatts by 2032, representing around 17% of the region’s projected peak electricity load. That estimate covers all data centre operations rather than cryptocurrency mining alone, although mining remains part of the broader discussion surrounding future electricity usage.

Russia first introduced targeted mining restrictions in late 2024, focusing on regions with limited energy capacity. Some of those measures apply throughout the year, while others are activated during periods of increased electricity demand. The newly announced Moscow-region restrictions represent the country’s most extensive regional mining ban in terms of geographic coverage and economic significance.

Russia continues developing its crypto framework

The regional mining restrictions coincide with Russia’s ongoing efforts to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for cryptocurrency mining. In 2024, President Vladimir Putin signed legislation permitting registered companies and entrepreneurs to conduct commercial mining operations, while individuals remain subject to electricity consumption limits.

Authorities also launched a national registry for cryptocurrency mining equipment in 2025, aiming to monitor mining operations, track electricity usage, and improve tax oversight.

Separately, Russia’s State Duma recently approved legislation that could allow regulated retail cryptocurrency trading while maintaining the country’s existing prohibition on using digital assets for domestic payments. Meanwhile, authorities continue to oversee compliance within the mining sector, with recent legal proceedings involving executives from mining infrastructure company BitRiver drawing additional attention to the industry.