TechFlow reported on September 10, according to Bitcoin.com News, that Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered an important speech at the plenary session of the eighth Eastern Economic Forum, officially confirming for the first time that Russia has become one of the world's leading bitcoin mining nations. Citing data from Sergey Besyedlov, chairman of the Industrial Mining Association, in 2023 Russia produced 54,000 bitcoins, contributing over $550 million in tax revenue to the state.
In his speech, Putin explicitly stated: "Russia is currently one of the global leaders in mining, thanks to surplus energy capacity in Siberia." He further elaborated on the complexities of energy distribution, emphasizing: "While mining is important, constructing housing, industry, and social infrastructure, as well as powering planned production facilities, are equally or even more important." Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev noted that surplus energy could be allocated to licensed bitcoin miners, but stressed that social development programs and national industrial growth remain top priorities.
