Russia Extends Crypto Mining Ban to Moscow and Kursk Regions

The government mandate, issued as Resolution No. 936, expands existing territorial restrictions to address mounting concerns over power capacity. Energy officials report that mining operations currently consume one gigawatt of power within the Moscow system, and projections suggest data-center demand could reach 3.6 gigawatts by 2032. Without this intervention, authorities warned of potential electricity shortages as energy-intensive facilities continue to integrate into local networks.

In the Kursk Region, the restriction applies to the Belovsky, Bolshesoldatsky, Glushkovsky, Korenevsky, Lgovsky, Rylsky, Sudzhansky, and Khomutovsky districts, alongside the city of Lgov. Businesses operating in these areas have until mid-August to cease activities or relocate their hardware. This policy builds on a broader regulatory framework established in 2024, which allows for registered mining while granting the government power to restrict operations in regions facing infrastructure deficits. Similar prohibitions remain active in parts of Buryatia, Zabaykalsky Krai, and several North Caucasus republics.