Russia's Mining Ban
Russia expands cryptocurrency mining ban in Moscow and Kursk regions through 2032, citing energy grid strain
Anonymous
Key Points
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The Kursk Oblast restrictions extend to eight specific districts—Belovsky, Bolshesoldatsky, Glushkovsky, Korenevsky, Lgovsky, Rylsky, Sudzhansky, and Khomutovsky—and the town of Lgov, in addition to Moscow and its region.
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The decree also tightens the rules on local residents by banning participation in mining pools and similar activities, not just standalone mining operations.
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Enforcement actions disclosed in reports include about 20 million rubles in losses tied to illegal grid access, plus details of the first hidden farm found in a garage near a railway station and eight more farms located in a car wash, residential basements, and buried containers; the suspect is under criminal investigation.
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Analysts note the ban could influence global hashrate flows and mining margins before Bitcoin price responds; Russia accounted for roughly 16.9% to 17.2% of global hashrate in 2026, and recent data show the network experiencing consecutive quarterly hashrate declines (about 6.3% QoQ) and a 5% drop in difficulty as of July.
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The order is Government Decree No. 936, signed July 25, 2026, amending an earlier decree from December 23, 2024; it was published July 31, 2026, and the ban runs from August 15, 2026 through December 31, 2032.
Russia has banned cryptocurrency mining in Moscow, Moscow Oblast, and parts of Kursk Oblast under Government Decree No. 936, signed July 25, 2026, by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. The ban runs from August 15, 2026 through December 31, 2032, according to The Block.
The move targets energy-deficit zones where grid strain is already severe. Moscow's broader area alone hosts about 65 mining-related data centers with roughly 734 megawatts of total capacity, says Coindoo. About 19 of those centers sit in the Moscow region, accounting for 233 MW — enough load to push the local grid to its limits.
Eight Kursk Districts and Moscow Now Off-Limits
The decree does not just cover Moscow and its surrounding region. It also restricts mining in eight specific Kursk Oblast districts: Belovsky, Bolshesoldatsky, Glushkovsky, Korenevsky, Lgovsky, Rylsky, Sudzhansky, and Khomutovsky, plus the town of Lgov. Coin Tribune notes that Prime Minister Mishustin signed the order targeting these strategic areas directly.
The rules go further than just shutting down solo mining rigs. The decree also bans residents from joining mining pools — shared networks where miners combine computing power. That broader scope closes a loophole that could have let operators keep earning rewards through pooled participation, according to The Block.
Moscow's Grid Cannot Handle 734 Megawatts of Mining Load
Russian authorities say the numbers speak for themselves. The Moscow area's 65 mining data centers draw roughly 734 MW of power combined. Officials argue the region simply cannot sustain that load without putting the broader grid at risk, according to Coindoo.
The decree amends an earlier order from December 23, 2024, which already imposed restrictions on other Russian regions. It was published July 31, 2026. The government is steadily expanding a patchwork ban across energy-stressed zones, treating mining as a drain rather than an asset in areas where electricity supply is already tight, says HokaNews.
Hidden Farms in Garages, Car Washes, and Buried Containers
Enforcement actions have uncovered creative attempts to hide mining operations. Authorities found the first hidden farm in a garage near a railway station. Eight more farms turned up in a car wash, residential basements, and even buried containers. The suspect in that case is now under criminal investigation, according to Coin Tribune.
Losses tied to illegal grid access total about 20 million rubles. That figure covers electricity stolen to run operations off the books. The cases show that demand for mining in the region remains strong even as the government moves to stamp it out.
Russia Holds 17% of Global Hashrate — Ban Could Shift Mining Flows
Russia accounted for roughly 16.9% to 17.2% of global Bitcoin hashrate in 2026, making it a top-tier mining nation. Losing Moscow-area capacity is not trivial. Analysts warn the ban could shift mining flows internationally and squeeze margins for operators before Bitcoin's price has a chance to respond, according to The Block.
The timing adds pressure. The Bitcoin network already saw consecutive quarterly hashrate declines of about 6.3% quarter-over-quarter, plus a 5% drop in mining difficulty as of July. Operators forced to relocate will face higher costs during an already tough period. Russia's Kremlin is now firmly asserting control over where mining can — and cannot — happen inside its borders, says Coindoo.
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