Moscow targets crypto miners to protect AI infrastructure
Putin shifts focus to computing power for AI by restricting crypto activity
Russia is preparing to ban cryptocurrency mining in data centres as it shifts national focus towards digitalisation and AI development. The draft law aims to prevent miners from accessing discounted power and infrastructure support reserved for AI-related operations.
Amendments to the bill, introduced at the request of President Vladimir Putin, will prohibit mining activity in facilities registered as official data centres. These centres will instead benefit from lower electricity rates and faster grid access to help scale computing power for big data and AI.
The legislation redefines data centres as communications infrastructure and places them under stricter classification and control. If passed, it could blow to companies like BitRiver, which operate large-scale mining hubs in regions like Irkutsk.
Putin defended the move by citing the strain on regional electricity grids and a need to use surplus energy wisely. While crypto mining was legalised in 2024, many Russian territories have imposed bans, raising questions about the industry’s long-term viability in the country.
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