Russia expands crypto mining ban to Moscow and Kursk

The Russian government has expanded its regional restrictions on cryptocurrency mining, adding Moscow, the entire Moscow Region, and several districts in the Kursk Region to a list of prohibited areas. The ban, enacted through Government Resolution No. 936, will take effect on August 15, 2026, and remain in force through December 31, 2032.

Officials cited electricity capacity concerns as the primary motivation for the measure. The Energy Ministry has warned that the high, continuous power demand from energy-intensive mining operations could strain the grid and create shortages for other consumers. According to ministry data, Moscow and the surrounding region already host 65 data centers with a combined capacity of 734 megawatts, with 19 facilities in the Moscow Region alone accounting for 233 megawatts. The ministry has previously estimated that mining consumes approximately one gigawatt across the Moscow power system.

The new rule extends an existing policy of geographically targeted restrictions rather than imposing a nationwide ban. Earlier prohibitions were introduced in parts of Siberia, including Buryatia and Zabaykalsky Krai, where a ban runs from April 1, 2026, through...