Russia Looks to Raise the Bitcoin Mining Ban in Two Regions

Key Insights

• Two Russian regions, Buryatia and Transbaikal, will have temporary mining bans lifted by March 15.
• The restrictions are only seasonal to manage energy, even as the regions face the possibility of permanent bans.
• Russian authorities are issuing conscription notices to Chinese workers in Bitcoin mining facilities, according to reports.

Authorities in two Russian regions will lift the ban on Bitcoin mining. Local news agency RIA Novosti reported the decision.

Miners in Buryatia and Zabaykalsky Krai have faced a ban since November 2025. Both regions are part of Russia’s Far Eastern federal district.

According to the report, Bitcoin miners in the region could start operating as soon as mid-March. This represents a positive development at a time when mining hashrate has been in decline.

Data from CoinWarz shows that the Bitcoin hashrate is currently at 996 EH/s after falling to 937.58 EH/s earlier today. Concerns about hashrate have increased with the current conflict in Iran, even as Bitcoin rose up to $69,000 today.

Mining Ban Set to be Lifted After Seasonal Restrictions, As Permanent Ban Remains in Other Regions

The lifting of the mining bans in the two regions follows the end of the temporary restrictions. Authorities had imposed a mining ban on November 15 to address energy shortages during the winter and fall seasons.

That ban affects 19 municipal districts in Buryatia, including its capital. 14 municipal districts and other areas in Transbaikal are also covered under the temporary restriction. It is now set to end by March 15.

While the temporary restrictions are ending in these regions, mining bans remain very active in other parts of Russia. A six-year ban has restricted mining in ten Russian regions. It runs from January 1, 2025, to March 31, 2031, to curb energy use.

However, regions with temporary restrictions, such as Buryatia and Transbaikal, could soon have permanent bans as well. According to reports, authorities in Moscow are considering a year-round ban on mining in the two regions if deemed necessary.

Russia Issues Draft Notices to Chinese Bitcoin Miners

The lifting of mining restrictions in Buryatia and Zabaykalsky Krai followed draft notices issued to individuals mining cryptocurrencies.

This sequence shows Russian authorities are adjusting their enforcement strategy. According to the report, the notices specifically targeted Chinese workers at mining facilities in Russia.

Conscription notices require recipients to fight in Russia’s ongoing war with Ukraine. This move has raised concerns about the state’s intentions. For some experts, the question is whether individuals of other nationalities can be required to fight for Russia.

Conscription notices targeting workers and entrepreneurs in crypto mining facilities raise concerns. Many worry this focus reveals deeper government intentions.

Many believe this move could disrupt operations at affected mining sites. They also see it as an indirect crackdown on crypto mining in Russia.

Despite the country’s several efforts to regulate cryptocurrencies, its policy on mining remained mixed. While it has allowed mining since 2024, it has also banned it in some regions while cracking down on illegal crypto miners.

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