MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. The Russian government may increase the number of regions where cryptocurrency mining will be banned if there is a corresponding request from governors, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said in an interview with Rossiya-24 TV channel.
"If there are such requests from regions, from governors who, within the framework of the socio-economic development forecast, will see that there may be a deficit for the connection of industrial consumers, for the connection of social facilities - primarily schools, hospitals, and others. Of course, restrictions will be introduced to ensure the connection of social facilities and enterprises under construction first," Novak said.
"For regions with an energy surplus, this is generally even useful (cryptocurrency mining), because a higher level of energy consumption allows for higher gross revenues and lower costs per unit of output for energy companies," he added.
The Russian government earlier approved the list of regions and territories where mining will be banned from January 1, 2025. The restrictions will remain in force until March 15, 2031.
The Russian government introduces a "ban on mining digital currency, including participation in a mining pool (association of miners - TASS)" in Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia, North Ossetia, Chechnya, the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, as well as the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, the document said.
In addition, mining will be banned in some areas of the Irkutsk Region, Buryatia, and the Zabaikalsky region, but only temporarily - during peak energy consumption. In 2025 they will fall on the period from January 1 to March 15, and in the following years - from November 15 to March 15.
As the government explained to TASS, the list of regions and territories is not final: it can be adjusted based on the decisions of the government commission on the development of the electric power industry. The purpose of such restrictions is to maintain the balance of energy consumption taking into account the needs of industry.
Since November, mining has been legalized in Russia, provided that information on the assets received and addresses of crypto wallets are given to the Federal Tax Service. On November 1, the Federal Tax Service launched a service for entering data into the register of miners - this is mandatory for individual entrepreneurs and legal entities. Individuals can receive digital currency within 6,000 kWh per month.