Crackdown Intensifies: Russia Hunts Down 50K Miners Amid Expanding Ban - Crypto Economy

TL;DR

• Russia targets up to 50,000 unregistered crypto miners as a new bill introduces fines and prison terms for illegal operations.
• Authorities expand a mining ban to 13 regions, including parts of Siberia, citing energy constraints.
• Despite restrictions, the country remains a top global mining hub, exposing tensions between state control and decentralized crypto activity.

Russia is tightening its grip on cryptocurrency mining, escalating enforcement against thousands of individuals and firms operating outside the legal framework. The move combines stricter criminal penalties with a broader regional ban, reshaping the country’s crypto mining landscape while raising questions about long-term competitiveness.

Russia Targets Crypto Mining With Criminal Penalties

The Russian government has submitted a draft law to the State Duma that criminalizes unregistered crypto mining. The proposal introduces fines of up to 2 million rubles (around $25,000) and prison sentences of up to 5 years for violators.

Authorities estimate that nearly 50,000 miners operate across the country, yet fewer than 1,500 are registered with the Federal Tax Service. The gap highlights the scale of informal activity in a sector that was only legalized in late 2024 under strict compliance requirements.

The bill also targets infrastructure providers enabling unauthorized mining. Penalties increase if damages exceed 13 million rubles or if organized groups are involved. While Russia allows crypto ownership, it restricts transactions to licensed intermediaries and caps retail purchases at 300,000 rubles.

From a pro-crypto perspective, the approach signals a preference for control over innovation. By limiting participation and raising compliance costs, the policy risks pushing smaller miners underground or out of the market entirely.


Expanding Ban Reshapes Russia Mining Geography

At the same time, the government is widening its mining ban. Starting April 1, full prohibitions apply in parts of Buryatia and Zabaykalsky Krai, replacing earlier seasonal limits. These measures extend until March 2031.

Mining is now banned in 13 regions, including areas in the North Caucasus and territories affected by geopolitical tensions. Officials argue that mining strains local power grids, with estimates suggesting around 1 GW of electricity is currently used for the activity, half concentrated near Moscow.

Despite these restrictions, Russia remains one of the top three global mining destinations, alongside the United States and ahead of China. Its cold climate and abundant energy resources continue to attract operators.

However, policymakers increasingly prioritize energy allocation for artificial intelligence and data infrastructure. This shift could redirect capacity away from mining, altering the country’s role in the global hashrate distribution.