russiacrypto

More than 5,500 new crypto miners have officially registered with Federal Tax Service of Russia following the legalization of digital asset mining on November 1, 2024.

Key Takeaways
Over 5,500 miners have officially registered since legalization in November 2024.Mining is now fully taxable, with cryptocurrency treated as property.Individuals can mine without registration only under strict electricity limits.Regional bans aim to protect energy supplies in vulnerable areas.Draft 2026 laws could introduce criminal penalties for large-scale illegal mining.
The surge marks a decisive move by Moscow to bring what was long considered a multi-billion dollar shadow sector under formal state supervision.
The legalization framework is part of a broader strategy to regulate energy usage, collect tax revenue, and tighten control over large-scale mining operations that had previously operated in a grey zone.
Mandatory Registration and Reporting Rules
Under the new system, all legal entities and individual entrepreneurs engaged in mining must enroll in the official tax registry. Registered operators are required to submit monthly production reports through their tax accounts, detailing the amount of digital currency mined.
Private individuals can still mine without formal registration - but only if their electricity consumption stays below 6,000 kWh per month. Once that threshold is exceeded, registration becomes compulsory.
Infrastructure providers are also subject to oversight. Data center operators must register and disclose which individuals or companies are using their facilities, closing a major loophole in previous enforcement efforts.
New Tax Structure Takes Effect in 2025
Legislation signed by President Vladimir Putin classifies cryptocurrency as property for taxation purposes starting in 2025.
Mining and crypto sales are exempt from VAT. However, income generated from mining is taxable:
Individuals pay 13% on annual income up to 2.4 million rubles and 15% on earnings above that threshold.Companies face a 25% corporate profit tax rate, reflecting Russia’s increased corporate tax level in 2025.Operational expenses such as electricity costs can be deducted from taxable income.
This structure is designed to formalize the sector without making it immediately uncompetitive compared to offshore jurisdictions.
Regional Bans and Tougher Penalties
The federal government has retained the authority to prohibit mining in energy-deficient regions. As of early 2025, restrictions have been imposed in parts of Siberia, the North Caucasus, and certain occupied territories to prevent strain on local power grids.
Non-compliance carries financial consequences. Unregistered mining or failure to submit required reports can result in fines of up to 40,000 rubles.
Looking ahead, draft legislation proposed for 2026 could significantly raise the stakes. Large-scale or organized “illegal” mining operations may face fines up to 2.5 million rubles and potential prison sentences of up to five years.
Pressure on Major Industry Players
The tighter regulatory climate is already affecting large operators. In early 2026, the Federal Tax Service initiated bankruptcy proceedings against a subsidiary of BitRiver, widely considered Russia’s largest mining firm. The move followed failed data center projects and allegations of tax evasion linked to its founder.
Russia’s latest push signals that crypto mining is no longer tolerated as an informal industry. Instead, it is being reshaped into a tightly supervised, revenue-generating sector aligned with national energy and fiscal priorities.
#RussiaCrypto #Bitcoinmining

On Feb 6, the European Commission unveiled a sweeping 20th sanctions package on Russia that goes well beyond oil: it specifically sanctions crypto services used by Russia’s shadow economy. The proposal bans any ship services aiding Russian oil exports and “takes measures against cryptocurrency companies that enable Russia to circumvent Western sanctions”. In effect, the EU is preparing to crack down on crypto-based sanctions evasion (in line with recent actions against Russian-linked crypto firms). This development feeds into a broader risk-off narrative. Global uncertainty is at historic highs – the World Uncertainty Index hit a record 106,862 in Feb 2026, above the peaks of COVID and 2008 – driven by trade wars and conflicts. In such a climate, investors may flock to traditional havens ($XAU gold is surging above $5,500) but also grow wary of crypto’s regulatory risks. Analysts note that in past fiat crises (e.g. Iran, Argentina), people talk more about Bitcoin as an “exit option”, yet heavy-handed sanctions can slow actual crypto adoption. For now, markets are bracing for volatility: $BTC and $XRP might see short-term lifts on safe-haven searches, but also face headwinds if regulators clamp down. This mix of geopolitical pressure on energy, trade, and now crypto underscores how quickly “crypto as global money” can become “crypto under the microscope.”
#RussiaCrypto #Europe #CryptoNewss #Politics

Russia is taking a major step forward by institutionalizing and regulating large-scale Bitcoin mining, reflecting a deliberate strategic evolution in its cryptocurrency approach.

**Main highlights of this development**:

- **First regulated mining investment fund launched** — Leading Russian brokerage Finam has successfully registered the nation's inaugural cryptocurrency mining investment fund with the Bank of Russia (announced February 16, 2026). Shares are expected to begin trading shortly on the Moscow Exchange, primarily for qualified investors. The fund channels capital into industrial-scale operations—especially gas-powered setups in areas like Mordovia—to minimize energy expenses and deliver strong returns (with projections of up to **40%** in dollar terms starting next year). This lets investors tap into mining profits without handling equipment or directly owning crypto.

- **Shift from informal to fully regulated sector** — Mining was officially legalized in August 2024 (taking effect November 2024), moving it from a largely unregulated space to a registered, taxable industry supervised by bodies such as the Ministry of Digital Development and tax authorities. Compliant operations can now function transparently, while unregistered or excessive energy-consuming activities face tighter restrictions and potential penalties.

- **Growing financial sector support** — Banks are getting involved too: Sovcombank rolled out Bitcoin-backed loans for miners and businesses in early February 2026 (claiming to be the first major lender to do so publicly), enabling liquidity access without liquidating BTC holdings. Sberbank had earlier piloted similar crypto-secured lending in late 2025. These initiatives integrate miners more deeply into mainstream banking.

- **Viewed as a national industrial advantage** — Policymakers see mining as a smart way to transform Russia's plentiful low-cost energy (natural gas, hydro, etc.) into Bitcoin, creating a sanctions-resistant export mechanism and alternative revenue stream. With Russia already commanding a notable portion of global hashrate (recent estimates 11–16%), scaling institutional participation could further cement its influence in the Bitcoin ecosystem.

- **Part of a wider crypto liberalization in 2026** — This fits into broader reforms: upcoming rules for trading, custody, simplified exchange licensing, tax alignment for digital assets, and tiered access (limited for ordinary investors, broader for qualified ones). Domestic payments in crypto remain off-limits, but the emphasis is on institutional, export-focused, and infrastructure-building activities.

**In summary**: By channeling institutional money into regulated mining, Russia is accelerating state-level engagement with Bitcoin's core infrastructure. In a sanctions-heavy context, this pragmatic strategy leverages energy surpluses to build economic and geopolitical resilience—potentially shifting global mining power balances over time.

Turning excess power into digital gold: a calculated move for the long haul.

$BTC $ETH $BNB #BitcoinMining #RussiaCrypto #CryptoPolicy

Russia has formally approved a nationwide concept for tokenizing real-sector assets, marking one of the most comprehensive state-led digital asset initiatives to date.

Key Takeaways
Russia approved a national framework to tokenize real-sector assets.Pilots will cover property rights, IP rights, securities, and LLC shares.The goal is higher liquidity, lower costs, and broader investor access.
The move supports modernization of domestic capital markets.
The framework was developed by the Ministry of Finance in coordination with federal executive authorities and the Bank of Russia, and has now received government backing. Implementation work is already underway.
The initiative aims to embed distributed ledger technology into the country’s financial architecture, with a focus on boosting the investment appeal and liquidity of traditional assets. By lowering transaction costs and reducing entry barriers, officials expect to attract a broader base of private investors while improving the quality of secured lending portfolios across financial institutions.
Pilot Phase to Target Property and Intellectual Rights
In the first stage, authorities plan to test tokenization mechanisms for property rights and exclusive intellectual property rights - specifically those that do not require state registration for transactions. This is a strategic starting point, as it avoids immediate legal friction while allowing regulators to experiment within a controlled perimeter.
Another major focus area includes the tokenization of documentary securities and ownership stakes in limited liability companies. If implemented effectively, this would bring traditionally illiquid or administratively complex assets onto blockchain-based rails, potentially transforming how private equity-style investments function in the domestic market.
Strategic Interpretation: More Than Just Innovation
While the language of the document emphasizes innovation, liquidity, and modernization, the broader implications are strategic. By creating a domestic tokenization infrastructure under state supervision, Russia appears to be building a parallel capital formation channel that is technologically advanced yet sovereign-controlled.
Tokenization can reduce reliance on traditional financial intermediaries, automate transaction execution, and lower operational risks. The government explicitly notes that blockchain systems could replace certain intermediary functions, streamline order execution, and reduce human error. This signals a shift toward programmable finance within a regulated national framework.
At a macro level, the initiative may also serve three wider objectives:
First, diversification of investment instruments. New asset classes and token-based investment products could emerge, expanding domestic capital markets at a time when access to global capital remains constrained.Second, enhanced liquidity in traditionally rigid asset categories. By fractionalizing ownership and enabling peer-to-peer transfers, tokenization could unlock capital currently tied up in private or semi-private holdings.Third, technological sovereignty. Developing a state-aligned tokenization system positions Russia to integrate digital asset infrastructure without depending on Western financial plumbing.
If executed successfully, the concept would establish a competitive system for tokenized ownership rights across the real sector. The emphasis on automation, cost efficiency, and broader retail access suggests that the government sees tokenization not merely as a fintech experiment, but as a structural upgrade to its financial system.
The next phase will be critical. Pilot results will determine whether tokenized property and securities remain a niche regulatory sandbox or evolve into a central pillar of Russia’s capital markets modernization strategy.
#RussiaCrypto