Russia ends winter crypto mining ban in Far East regions while mulling permanent Siberia restrictions

Cryptocurrency mining will resume in Russia’s Buryatia and Zabaykalsky Krai from March 15 after authorities lift seasonal restrictions imposed last November — even as federal officials weigh a five-year blanket ban on mining across Siberia.

The decision, confirmed through official government documents cited by RIA Novosti, marks a temporary reprieve for miners in the Far Eastern Federal District under evolving Russia crypto mining regulation policies aimed at managing energy shortages and grid stability.

The seasonal ban, imposed on November 15 to address electricity deficits during the fall-winter period, covered most of Buryatia including 19 municipal districts and the Ulan-Ude urban district and 14 districts in Transbaikal, as well as the urban district of Chita, Aginskoye village and the closed administrative-territorial entity of Gorny.

Under current Russia crypto mining regulation, these restrictions expire on March 15, allowing operations to resume unless further measures are introduced.

Seasonal limits highlight Russia crypto mining regulation tensions

The restart in Buryatia and Transbaikal comes amid a broader recalibration of Russia crypto mining regulation across multiple regions.

Authorities have cited power shortages as justification for both seasonal and permanent restrictions, particularly in areas sharing energy distribution networks.

In southern parts of Irkutsk Oblast which shares infrastructure links with Buryatia and Transbaikal cryptocurrency mining has been fully banned due to persistent energy deficits.

Similar prohibitions have been enacted in several North Caucasus republics, including Dagestan, Chechnya and Ingushetia, where authorities argue illegal mining has strained subsidized power systems.

Mining is also permanently prohibited in the occupied Ukrainian regions of Donetsk Oblast and Luhansk Oblast, among others, with restrictions slated to remain until March 15, 2031.

Russian officials have repeatedly linked Russia crypto mining regulation to energy security.

While no single federal spokesperson framed the March 15 restart as a policy reversal, official decrees emphasize the temporary nature of the initial suspension, designed to stabilize winter electricity supply.

Siberian regions face possible year-round ban

Despite the upcoming restart, Russia crypto mining regulation may tighten further. Media reports indicate that federal authorities are considering a five-year blanket ban on mining in parts of Siberia, including Buryatia and Transbaikal.

The proposal was first discussed at a meeting of the government commission on electric power industry development in June, though a final decision was postponed.

In October, Nikolai Shulginov, head of the Energy Committee at the State Duma, publicly supported stricter measures.

“I support the introduction of a ban where there is a shortage of capacity,” — Nikolai Shulginov, Head of the Energy Committee, State Duma, in comments to RIA Novosti.

In December, business daily Kommersant reported that a draft protocol suggested a comprehensive ban could take effect in 2026, reflecting continued uncertainty in Russia crypto mining regulation planning.

Industry strain amid enforcement and tax scrutiny

Russia became a significant global mining hub due to abundant energy resources and cold climate conditions.

Mining was legalized and formally regulated in 2024, becoming the first recognized crypto-related activity under Russian law.

However, fewer than one-third of operators have reportedly registered officially.

Under tightening Russia crypto mining regulation, both registered and “gray” miners have faced increased scrutiny.

Authorities have pursued illegal facilities accused of siphoning subsidized electricity, contributing to local power shortages.

The regulatory volatility coincides with financial troubles at BitRiver, widely regarded as Russia’s largest mining operator by revenue and capacity.

Last month, the Federal Tax Service of Russia filed a bankruptcy petition against a BitRiver subsidiary involved in a 100-megawatt data center project in Buryatia that was completed but never launched.

Igor Runets, founder of BitRiver, was detained in January on tax evasion charges and placed under house arrest, according to Russian media reports.

The company has faced mounting lawsuits from contractors and energy suppliers amid reports of unpaid salaries.

The confluence of enforcement actions and evolving Russia crypto mining regulation has created planning challenges for operators.

Expanding and frequently changing restrictions complicate long-term investment decisions, particularly in capital-intensive projects such as data centers.

For crypto investors and policymakers, the partial lifting of seasonal bans in Buryatia and Transbaikal underscores the balancing act at the heart of Russia crypto mining regulation: leveraging economic benefits from mining while managing energy constraints and regulatory compliance.

Whether the March restart signals stabilization or precedes broader prohibitions may depend on upcoming federal decisions regarding Siberian capacity and national energy strategy.