Russia’s Crypto Crackdown: When Miners Go Rogue 🤷‍♀️

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So, Russia is getting all up in the grill of illegal cryptocurrency miners by launching a national registry of mining equipment. Because, you know, when you can’t find the bad guys, you make a list. 📝

According to local media, Russian authorities have already compiled this registry and distributed it to regions with high mining activity. Like, who knew there were so many crypto cowboys out there? 🤠

The initiative is a joint effort by the Ministry of Energy, the Federal Tax Service, and the Ministry of Digital Development. It’s like a superhero team-up, but for bureaucrats. 🦸‍♂️🦸‍♀️

Deputy Energy Minister Petr Konyushenko says this registry will help the government accurately identify consumers using electricity for mining. Because, apparently, it’s not enough to just look at the power bill and go, “Hmm, that’s a lot of watts.” 🤔

Konyushenko confirmed that the list has already been sent to regions with elevated mining activity. Plans for this registry were already underway since early 2025, because, you know, bureaucracy moves at the speed of a sloth. 🦥

The Ministry of Energy initially proposed the plan in February, which later received formal backing from the Ministry of Industry and Trade. It’s like a bureaucratic love story, but with more paperwork. 📄

Authorities say the registry will also support enforcement in areas where mining is banned due to power constraints. Since November, Russia has prohibited mining in ten regions until March 2031 to prevent blackouts. Because, apparently, the lights need to stay on for more important things, like watching cat videos. 🐱

The formation of the registry ties into Russia’s broader legal framework for cryptocurrency mining, which was adopted in 2023. Under the law, crypto mining has been permitted for Russian citizens, registered individual entrepreneurs, and legal entities. But, you know, only if you follow the rules. 📜

While individuals can mine without registration if they stay within government-set energy limits, businesses and sole proprietors are required to register with the Federal Tax Service. Because, you know, the government loves a good tax. 💸

To encourage transparency and support adoption, Russia removed VAT on crypto purchases. Then, in a move to formalize the sector, the government also introduced a 15% tax on crypto mining profits. Because, why not? 🤷‍♀️

Despite the legal framework, many miners continue to operate outside official oversight, often tapping into residential power lines to avoid commercial tariffs. As of June 2025, only 30% of miners had registered with the FNS. Deputy Finance Minister Ivan Chebeskov disclosed in a report from the ministry last month. Because, apparently, some people just love playing hide-and-seek with the government. 🕵️‍♂️🕵️‍♀️

At the time, he said that the government was working to bring the remaining 70% into compliance, though no further details were provided on enforcement measures or timelines. Because, you know, sometimes the best plan is no plan at all. 🤷‍♂️

Russia cracks down on illegal mining

Over the past year, Russia has tried to keep illegal operations in check via targeted inspections and court-ordered shutdowns of unauthorized mining sites. Because, you know, when you can’t find the bad guys, you just make more lists. 📝

As previously reported by crypto.news, in one of the largest cases to date, prosecutors shut down an open-air mining site in Krasnoyarsk Krai that operated on state-owned land under false documentation. The site spanned 30,000 square metres and generated roughly 4.6 million rubles ($58,000) in revenue per month. Because, apparently, some people just can’t resist a good scam. 🤑

Officials have also reported instances of utility workers accepting bribes to overlook illegal connections and hackers exploiting smart home devices to build covert mining networks. Because, you know, when you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. 🤝

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2025-07-07 12:05