Russian Ministry Begins Assembling National Database of Cryptocurrency Mining Equipment

The Russian Energy Ministry has initiated the creation of a national registry for crypto mining equipment as part of its efforts to address illegal mining activities and enhance tax income.

The state-owned publication RIA Novosti reported that the ministry is collaborating with the Federal Tax Service and the Ministry of Digital Development on this initiative.

The ministry asserts that the registry will function as a comprehensive database of all machinery utilized for cryptocurrency mining across the country.

Crypto Mining Rigs: Russians Required to Register Hardware

Petr Konyushenko, Russia’s Deputy Minister of Energy, informed RIA Novosti that the ministry has dispatched its draft proposal to regions with significant crypto mining operations.

A power station in Moscow, Russia. (Source: Lodo27 [CC BY-SA 3.0])

Konyushenko stated that the registry will enable Moscow to “accurately identify” individuals in the country who are “utilizing electricity for cryptocurrency mining.”

This will assist regulators and tax authorities in ensuring that miners adhere to mining-related regulations. The ministry also indicated that it would contribute to increasing tax revenues. Konyushenko remarked:

“This is a step toward legalizing the industry and reducing illegal energy consumption.”

While legitimate crypto mining is growing in Russia, the illegal sector is also expanding. Numerous industrial crypto miners are reportedly operating throughout the nation.

Many of these miners utilize unauthorized connections to power grids, while others exploit subsidized electricity meant for residential use to operate their data centers.

The database will mandate that all miners provide rig serial numbers and device models, along with information on other mining-related apparatus.

The Energy Ministry and the Industry Ministry initially suggested the establishment of a national crypto mining equipment registry back in February of this year.

A Russian crypto miner shows off his equipment. (Source: Chudesniy Kitai!/RuTube)

Critics Question Ministry’s Plans

Government representatives stated that a consolidated registry of “equipment essential for cryptocurrency mining” was necessary.

However, the proposal has faced significant criticism. Among the detractors is lawmaker Anton Gorelkin, one of the key figures behind Russia’s crypto mining legislation. Gorelkin expressed uncertainty regarding how this registry would effectively address illegal mining.

He further noted that Moscow already possesses the “necessary tools to identify miners who illegally consume electricity.”

Legalize Black-market Equipment, Suggests Lawmaker

The lawmaker also emphasized that Moscow should concentrate on assisting miners in legalizing crypto mining equipment acquired through sanctions-evading “shadow schemes.”

Russia is regularly switching off mobile internet connections in large swaths of the country for security reasons https://t.co/Hv1uW7cWzn

— Bloomberg (@business) July 3, 2025

This approach would facilitate miners in “legalizing” mining rigs purchased on the black market and “promptly adding them to the registry,” Gorelkin stated.

The media outlet RBC reported that officials, including customs agents, are contemplating the possibility of offering an “amnesty” for crypto miners who have “no alternative” but to acquire rigs through underground channels to circumvent sanctions.

Earlier this month, law enforcement in Sayansk announced the closure of an illegal crypto mining operation equipped with 240 mining rigs. Authorities indicated that the operation was consuming enough electricity to supply 2,000 apartments.

Additionally, this month, police in St. Petersburg reported the seizure of an undisclosed number of crypto mining rigs functioning in a warehouse located in an industrial area near the well-known Mitrofanievsky Highway.

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