Russian officials have enacted a significant expansion of restrictions on digital currency mining, targeting the nation’s capital and nearby territories in a move driven by concerns over electricity demand. Under a government resolution, activities involving the extraction of cryptocurrency, including involvement in mining pools, will be forbidden in Moscow, the broader Moscow region, and designated districts within the Kursk region beginning in mid-August 2026 and continuing through the end of 2032.
The measure, formalized as Government Resolution No. 936 and signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on July 25, 2026, was published on the official legal information portal.
It amends an earlier 2024 decree that had already established territorial limitations on mining in various energy-constrained parts of the country.
The updated rules specifically add the city of Moscow, the entire Moscow Oblast, and eight municipal districts in Kursk Oblast—Belovsky, Bolshesoldatsky, Glushkovsky, Korenevsky, Lgovsky, Rylsky, Sudzhansky, and Khomutovsky—along with the city of Lgov to the prohibited list.
The prohibition takes effect on August 15, 2026, and remains in force until December 31, 2032.
Officials have linked the decision to mounting pressure on local power infrastructure.
Regional energy authorities previously estimated that cryptocurrency mining accounts for approximately one gigawatt of electricity consumption on the Moscow-area grid.
They have also noted the presence of dozens of data centers in the capital region with combined capacity in the hundreds of megawatts, warning that continued growth in energy-intensive operations could heighten the risk of shortages if left unchecked year-round.
An explanatory note accompanying earlier draft proposals highlighted that without sustained restrictions, the affected territories faced potential shortfalls due to the connection of high-demand mining facilities.
This latest step builds on a broader pattern of geographically targeted controls.
Mining was legalized and regulated at the federal level in 2024, requiring registration for commercial operators while allowing limited household activity under electricity caps.
However, authorities quickly introduced regional prohibitions in areas experiencing supply constraints, including parts of the North Caucasus, certain Siberian districts, and other regions facing deficits.
The Moscow-area expansion reflects similar priorities: prioritizing reliable power for residential, industrial, and other essential uses over cryptocurrency production, which officials have described as offering limited local economic benefits relative to its energy footprint.
Industry participants in the affected zones will need to halt operations or relocate equipment to permitted areas, potentially accelerating a shift of mining activity toward regions with surplus capacity.
The rules apply uniformly to both direct mining and pool participation, closing off common collaborative models.
While not a nationwide ban, the inclusion of the political and economic center of the country marks a notable tightening of the regulatory environment for digital assets.
The decision follows months of discussion.
Energy ministry drafts and regional proposals earlier in 2026 had flagged the capital region for possible year-round curbs, citing projected increases in data-center loads that could claim a substantial share of peak demand by the early 2030s.
By formalizing the multi-year restriction now, authorities aim to manage grid stability proactively rather than respond to shortages after they emerge.
As Russia continues to balance the formal recognition of cryptocurrency mining with practical energy management, this decree underscores the priority given to infrastructure resilience in high-demand urban centers. Operators and investors will monitor enforcement and any further adjustments to the list of restricted territories in the coming years.
