From financemagnates by Tareq Sikder

Russian authorities approved a list of regions where cryptocurrency mining will be banned starting January 1, 2025. The ban will last for six years, ending on March 15, 2031. This decision was made today (Tuesday).

These measures align with cryptocurrency mining laws signed by the Russian president Vladimir Putin in August and October 2024, aimed at managing energy consumption.

Russia Bans Mining, Enforces Seasonal Restrictions

It will apply to 10 regions, including Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia, North Ossetia, Chechnya, Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.

The ban will affect both mining pools and individual miners. Seasonal restrictions will also be enforced in three Siberian regions—Irkutsk, Buryatia, and Zabaikalsky—during energy consumption peaks. These restrictions will run from January 1 to March 15, 2025, and extend from November 15 to March 15 in subsequent years.

Initially, the government proposed a broader ban on 13 regions, including Irkutsk, a key mining hub. The final version of the restrictions is a revision of this initial proposal.

Russia has officially legalized cryptocurrency mining, introducing a legal framework that regulates the sector, according to RT. The law, signed by President Vladimir Putin, defines the rights and obligations of those involved in cryptocurrency mining.

New Law Regulates Cryptocurrency Mining in Russia

The law, published on Russia's official legal portal, brings clarity to the previously unregulated sector, as reported by Finance Magnates. By recognizing cryptocurrency mining as a legitimate activity, the government integrates it into the broader economy rather than treating it solely as a method for issuing digital currency.

Under the new legislation, only registered Russian legal entities and individual entrepreneurs are allowed to engage in cryptocurrency mining. Individual miners can operate without registration as long as their energy consumption remains within government-set limits. Larger mining operations will face stricter controls.

Russia Embraces Cryptocurrencies to Counter Sanctions

Putin acknowledged the potential of Bitcoin, describing its rise as an inevitable development in technology. For Russia, cryptocurrencies are viewed as an innovation and as a strategy to mitigate sanctions and reduce reliance on the dollar.

“Who can ban Bitcoin? Nobody,” Putin stated at the VTB Investment Forum, according to the local news agency TASS. His comments emphasized his belief that digital currencies are a natural progression in global finance, asserting that these instruments will continue to evolve regardless of the dollar.

Putin also noted that the need to reduce costs and improve reliability ensures the ongoing growth of Bitcoin and other digital payment methods. This position reflects a broader shift in Russia's financial policy, with the country adopting cryptocurrencies as a means to circumvent Western-imposed restrictions.