Russia expands mining ban to Moscow, pressuring global Bitcoin hash rate

Russia is expanding cryptocurrency mining restrictions to Moscow, the Moscow Region, and parts of Kursk Region from August 15 through end-2032, citing strain on the power grid and growing electricity demand from data centers. The move is notable for Bitcoin because Russia is estimated to account for about 17.2% of global hash rate, making it one of the largest mining hubs. The ban could force mining capacity to relocate toward the U.S., Kazakhstan, and other Central Asian countries, while temporarily benefiting efficient miners elsewhere if Bitcoin difficulty adjusts lower. Overall, the headline is bearish for Russian miners and mildly supportive for non-Russian mining operators, though the broader impact on Bitcoin is more about redistribution of hash power than direct network disruption.