Moscow Crypto Mining: Ban or Not? Power Plays Unfold

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Key Highlights

  • The Energy Ministry says crypto mining in Moscow won’t be banned without a formal nod from regional authorities. Yes, apparently the bureaucratic plot twist is that simple.
  • Officials peg official consumption at 734 megawatts, though some dare to whisper estimates near 1 gigawatt. It’s the kind of number that makes your calculator cry.
  • Other Russian regions have already slapped bans on mining thanks to energy constraints. Because nothing says “calm economy” like turning off the lights for a while.

Apparently the Energy Ministry isn’t planning a crackdown on cryptocurrency mining in Moscow-at least not until someone in a regional chair signs the right form in triplicate and blushes at the stamp collection.

According to a local report, Andrey Maksimov, head of the ministry’s electrical power development department, said a mining ban can only be imposed if a regional governor submits an official request. Since Moscow hasn’t filed the paperwork, the ministry can’t press the big red button-otherwise known as restrictions.

Mining puts pressure on the power network

Just as we were all pretending this wasn’t a soap opera, Sergei Voropanov, Energy Minister of Moscow Oblast, proposed banning crypto mining to ease the region’s electricity network. He called it an “extreme measure,” like a dramatic plot twist you see coming from a mile away but still pretend you didn’t see coming.

Moscow authorities reckon miners are wadding through around 1 gigawatt of electricity, though the ministry’s official tally counts 65 mining centers using 734 megawatts, including 20 large facilities with about 233 megawatts. It’s a numbers game that could make anyone’s head spin, especially when the lights refuse to stay on.

The process-using computers to solve complex math problems to mint coins and verify blockchain transactions-consumes a lot of electricity and has caused trouble in places where power is already tight.

Locals have even toyed with ideas like limiting the concentration of large data centers or cutting miners’ direct access to energy infrastructure. It’s all very practical, if your idea of “practical” is turning a high-wire act into a housekeeping chore.

Mining developments and regional bans

Mining has been growing in Russia, but several regions have already said “enough” due to energy shortages. Regions cited include Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia, North Ossetia, Chechnya, parts of Southern Siberia, Buryatia, and Zabaykalsky Krai. Mining also halted in Russia-controlled areas of Ukraine, which adds a whole extra layer of geopolitical spice to the situation.

Maksimov reiterated that for a regional ban to happen, an official governor’s request is required-something Moscow Oblast hasn’t filed. In other words, without the paperwork, the central government can’t press the ominous “ban” button. Bureaucracy: the true villain of every dystopian power drama.

Meanwhile, Voropanov says mining has no positive effect on the region. Yet authorities keep monitoring the number of mining operations, because apparently the figures are more slippery than your average plot twist, with some centers possibly existing beyond what’s officially recorded.

Ongoing scrutiny

Despite the back-and-forth, mining remains a significant occupation in Moscow. Officials argue its economic impact is limited, but the energy bill keeps turning heads and headlines alike.

And in a final plot twist from December 2025, the Russian Ministry of Justice proposed a law to punish unregistered cryptocurrency mining. The draft suggests fines up to 1.5 million rubles (about $15,000) and up to five years’ imprisonment in aggravated cases. Because nothing says “crime drama” like a regulated hobby turning into an international incident with a fine attached.

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2026-04-09 23:16