Russia Strikes Again: More Regions Could Ban Bitcoin Mining!

Once again, Russia is preparing to throw a wrench into the Bitcoin mining industry, as three more regions have applied to join the growing list of areas that want to restrict these high-energy-consuming operations. The Ministry of Finance is still pondering whether these regions will completely ban mining or just restrict it during the colder months. What a cliffhanger!

The Cold War with Bitcoin Heats Up: More Mining Restrictions on the Horizon!

Ah, Russia. Just when you think it’s done cracking down on Bitcoin miners, it comes back for round two (or three, or ten). Three more regions—Karelia (that frigid northern part), Penza, and Khakassia—are reportedly considering limiting mining activities. All thanks to, you guessed it, the always-charming energy scarcity and some delightful power outages. What’s next? A nationwide ban on using light bulbs just to make a point?

The Ministry of Finance, ever so vague, shared that these three regions are particularly vulnerable to winter storms and, let’s not forget, the not-so-legal mining operations that have been cozying up to the already aging infrastructure. Can you imagine? People mining Bitcoin in their kitchens, while grandma’s heater struggles to keep the house warm. A real modern-day tragedy, I suppose.

Take Penza for example. Authorities have already noticed that some households there increased their power usage by 70%. “Oops, looks like you’ve got a few extra mining rigs in the basement!” said no one ever. But hey, at least officials are working on improving grid monitoring—because nothing says ‘I’ve got this under control’ quite like adding more surveillance to a town that’s already dealing with power issues.

The big question still looms: will these new regions opt for a full-on ban? Or, like some others, will they just slap restrictions on miners during the heating season? You know, because prioritizing heat over virtual gold makes total sense, right?

And if that wasn’t enough, it turns out a lot of other regions have already jumped on the ban bandwagon. Dagestan, Chechnya, and the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics—what a lovely club to be in! It’s like the VIP section of Bitcoin mining bans. I bet they all share tips on how to turn off the lights and pretend nothing’s happening. Ah, bureaucracy at its finest!

Critics, of course, are having a field day with this. They argue that these bans will only push miners underground—literally and figuratively—making it even harder for the authorities to get a grip on the situation. But hey, at least they’ll have fewer miners to chase down. Less work, right?

On the flip side, some areas, like Siberia (because, why not?), have seen positive results. In February, the Ministry of Energy bragged that the region’s load decreased by more than 300 MW. A victory! No need for power restrictions that might upset the average citizen’s daily life. Let’s call it a win for common sense—something that’s hard to find in these energy-stricken regions.

2025-04-24 11:00

The Cold War with Bitcoin Heats Up: More Mining Restrictions on the Horizon!

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