GeniusOfficial

#RussiaRequiresCryptoMinersToSeekFourthCategoryGridConnections ⚡ Russia Moves to Put Crypto Miners in New “Fourth Category” of Power Consumers 🔌 Russia is preparing tougher rules for cryptocurrency miners. Under the proposal, miners would be placed in a new “fourth” consumer category, meaning their power supply reliability would not be guaranteed. 🚨 The new category would let authorities remotely restrict consumption during peak loads or when energy and capacity shortages threaten the grid. ⛏️ Russia legalized crypto mining in 2024 to take advantage of cheap, abundant energy. However, miners have turned energy surpluses into shortages faster than the government expected. 🗺️ Officials have floated trialing the fourth category in a few regions, including Irkutsk, with approval from local authorities. 📉 Grid operator Rosseti reported about 1.3 billion rubles (around $14.2 million) in losses from illegal mining in 2024, with 130 unauthorized connections uncovered. 🙋 Small-scale hobby miners using under 6,000 kWh per month would not need to register. 🔍 Authorities are also stepping up efforts to catch “gray” miners, including cooperation with telecom companies to track illegal activity.