Starting March 15, in Buryatia and Zabaykalsky Krai, cryptocurrency mining is again permitted, as reported by RIA “Novosti” based on new regulatory legal acts. The ban that was in effect from November 15, 2025, to March 15, 2026, covered most of the Republic of Buryatia, including the capital—Ulan-Ude—and also 18 districts: Bichursky, Dzhidinsky, Eravninsky, Zabaykalsky, Zabaykalsky, Zakamensky, Ivolginsky, Kabansky, Kizhinginsky, Kyakhtinsky, Mukhorshibirsky, Okinsky, Pribaykalsky, Selenginsky, Targabataysky, Tunkinsky, and Khorinsky.
In Zabaykalsky Krai, restrictive measures were in effect in Chita, the closed administrative-territorial formation of Gorny, the settlement of Aginskoye, as well as in 14 municipal districts and okrugs (including Aginsky, Akshinsky, and others).
The reason for such measures is concern about a shortage of electricity in the fall and winter, when the load on the power system increases. Starting January 1, 2025, a complete ban on mining will apply in a number of regions, including Dagestan and Chechnya. Unlike them, in Buryatia and Zabaykalsky Krai, restrictions are in effect only during the autumn-winter period.
If we go by the documents, such measures will be in effect until 2031. The issue of a complete ban was discussed in June at a meeting of the government commission, but the decision was postponed then. In October, the chairman of the State Duma Committee on Energy, Nikolay Shulginov, said that he supports permanent restrictions on cryptocurrency mining in Southern Siberia.
What is your attitude toward such restrictions? Do you think they are justified, or is this a blow to the free market? Share your opinion in the comments!