The Russian government has officially cut off cryptocurrency miners from the capital and surrounding areas. Under Resolution No. 936, signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on July 25, 2026, the government expanded the mining ban zone. The new regulation covers Moscow, Moscow Oblast, and several areas in the Kursk Region.
The rollout gives industry players little time to prepare. The ban is scheduled to take effect on August 15, 2026, halting mining hardware operations through December 31, 2032. The decision, binding for over six years, stems from a fundamental issue: power supply concerns.
Russia took this decisive step in response to threats against local power grid stability. Surging electricity demand from crypto mining facilities in these areas forced the central government to intervene and cut allocations to secure regional power supplies.
734 Megawatt Electricity Consumption
The scale of energy consumption by the crypto industry in these areas was detailed in a report by the Moscow Oblast Ministry of Energy. The ministry revealed that 65 mining data centers are currently connected to the local power grid. The presence of dozens of these facilities draws a total power capacity of up to 734 megawatts (MW).
Of the total system load, Moscow Oblast itself accounts for a significant portion of consumption. The ministry noted that 19 data centers operate within Moscow Oblast with a combined capacity of 233 MW. Pressure from this energy consumption prompted authorities to prioritize electricity supply so the grid does not collapse under load spikes.
Following Buryatia and Zabaykalsky Krai
The operational shutdown in Moscow and Kursk reinforces Russia’s energy control measures targeting crypto miners. This is not the first time local authorities have enforced similar bans in specific regions. Previously, the Russian government also barred mining activities in Buryatia and Zabaykalsky Krai.
The ban across those two regions began even earlier, taking effect on April 1, 2026. According to the timeline set by authorities, restrictions in Buryatia and Zabaykalsky Krai will remain in place until March 15, 2031.
This policy trend makes it clear that miners can no longer rely on regions with fragile electrical infrastructure prone to overloading. When local power capacity nears safe limits, mining rigs consistently prove to be the first to be disconnected from the local grid.
Reported by Cointelegraph.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only, not financial advice. Cryptocurrency assets are highly volatile and carry significant risk. Always do your own research (DYOR) and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
