TechFlow reported on February 1, according to Bloomberg, Igor Kobzev, the governor of Irkutsk Oblast—a Russian bitcoin mining hotspot—called for a year-round ban on cryptocurrency mining in areas facing energy shortages. He stated that the winter ban had freed up approximately 300 megawatts of power capacity, but electricity shortages remain severe. Although the policy may impact local economies and tax revenues, Kobzev emphasized that the measure is crucial for regional sustainable development.
Currently, mining operations in northern parts of Irkutsk Oblast are still permitted, and the regional government plans to establish a committee to assess how tax policies affect the mining industry. The ban is set to last until 2031, though it could lead to increased "gray" mining activities and intensify competition among other regions for mining market share.
