Russia is expanding its cryptocurrency mining ban to Moscow and surrounding regions, effective August 15, 2026, citing concerns that high demand from data centers is straining the electrical grid. The move impacts a country holding about 17.2% of the global Bitcoin hash rate, second only to the U.S. This follows earlier 2026 bans in ten other regions and is expected to push mining operations to Central Asia and the United States.
Moscow cryptocurrency mining ban
- ▪The new restrictions in Moscow will take effect on August 15, 2026, and are set to remain in place until December 31, 2032
- ▪Russia has expanded its cryptocurrency mining restrictions to include Moscow, the Moscow Region, and parts of the Kursk Region
- ▪Moscow and the surrounding region have 65 data centers connected to the power grid with a combined capacity of 734 megawatts
- ▪Russia’s Ministry of Energy stated the ban is necessary due to high electricity demand from mining facilities straining the power grid
Russia's global mining share
- ▪The United States holds the largest share of the global Bitcoin hash rate at approximately 36.7%
- ▪According to the Hashrate Index, Russia accounts for about 17.2% of the global Bitcoin hash rate, second only to the United States
Network hash rate decline
- ▪A significant drop in Russia's hash rate could temporarily reduce global mining difficulty, boosting profitability for other miners until the network adjusts
- ▪The total Bitcoin network hash rate has decreased for two consecutive quarters and is almost 12% lower than its peak in December 2025
Mining relocation patterns
- ▪Displaced Russian mining capacity is projected to shift to the United States, Kazakhstan, and other Central Asian countries
- ▪Previous Russian mining bans have impacted an estimated 50,000 operators across 13 regions
Russia's evolving crypto policy
- ▪The January 1, 2026, bans affected ten regions, including Dagestan, Chechnya, and Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine
- ▪Russia legalized cryptocurrency mining in August 2024 but began imposing regional bans on January 1, 2026
- ▪A separate mining ban in parts of Buryatia and the Zabaykalsky Krai is scheduled to run from April 1, 2026, to March 15, 2031
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