Russia Just Banned Bitcoin Mining in Moscow Until 2032
Aug 16, 2026
Russia has banned Bitcoin mining in Moscow and parts of Kursk through 2032, citing grid strain in one of the country's biggest mining hubs.
Russia just made a big move on Bitcoin mining. Under a new decree (No. 936), mining is now banned in Moscow and parts of the Kursk region, and the ban runs all the way through 2032.
The reason is pretty simple: the power grid. Moscow is Russia's second-biggest mining hub, and all those rigs eat up a ton of electricity. With grid strain becoming a real problem, the government decided it was easier to just cut miners off than risk blackouts.
What this means for miners
Big mining operations in the region will likely need to relocate to areas with more available power, probably in Siberia or other regions with cheaper energy. This could push even more mining activity toward already crowded hubs.
It's also a reminder that mining bans aren't just a China thing anymore. Governments everywhere are starting to treat crypto mining like any other energy-hungry industry, and rules like this could become more common as grids get tighter worldwide.