Russia requires crypto miners to accept lower-priority electricity
Under the new rules, companies operating cryptocurrency mining farms can connect their equipment to electricity networks only through Category 4 power supply arrangements.
Government Resolution No. 1300 amended the country’s existing electricity connection regulations, introducing a specific requirement for facilities used to mine digital currencies or provide mining infrastructure services.
The measure covers companies operating mining equipment, businesses participating in mining pools and infrastructure providers supporting cryptocurrency mining activities.
Category 4 connections have a lower supply priority than conventional electricity arrangements. Operators accepting these connections must be prepared for interruptions when electricity networks experience shortages or operational problems.
The Ministry of Energy said mining facilities could be disconnected without the advance coordination normally associated with higher-priority electricity users.
According to the ministry, placing miners in this category will help prevent additional electricity demand from reducing the power available to other customers.
The government expects the arrangement to allow mining facilities to use existing electricity infrastructure without requiring the same level of guaranteed capacity provided to higher-priority consumers.
Importantly, the decree does not impose an immediate nationwide shutdown of operating mining farms. It changes the conditions under which mining facilities obtain grid connections and establishes rules for handling electricity shortages. The text does not establish that every facility already operating under a completed higher-priority connection must immediately move to Category 4.
Bitcoin mining farms could lose power during shortages
The Category 4 framework was introduced in February 2026 through Government Resolution No. 103, which established a separate electricity connection arrangement for consumers willing to accept a less reliable supply.
The February regulations allow eligible electricity users to obtain connections when the existing grid cannot support another conventional connection without infrastructure improvements.
However, customers using the lower-priority arrangement face restrictions during emergency conditions.
According to the government rules, Category 4 consumers are placed ahead of most other electricity users when authorities prepare emergency power reduction schedules. Their electricity is generally restored after supplies return to higher-priority customers.
For cryptocurrency miners, the October decree makes Category 4 the required reliability category for qualifying new grid connections. Officials explained that the measure would help address unexpected increases in electricity demand from mining facilities, which can operate continuously and require substantial power capacity.
In its statement, the Energy Ministry described the changes as supporting the “efficient use of existing energy infrastructure” while protecting reliable electricity supplies for residents.
Mining operators would remain responsible for managing their operations when electricity becomes unavailable. The regulations do not promise uninterrupted service or require authorities to maintain power for mining equipment during shortages.
The decree’s technical requirements cover grid connection procedures and the equipment needed for emergency electricity restrictions.
Applications may be rejected if the electricity system operator determines that the requested connection cannot meet the applicable technical conditions.
Russia updates mining restrictions in areas facing power shortages
The latest rules contain provisions for regions where the government has restricted cryptocurrency mining because of electricity supply concerns.
Under Resolution No. 1300, the treatment of Category 4 mining connections depends on whether the government has imposed a complete mining prohibition in a particular territory. Where a complete ban applies, electricity providers cannot accept new Category 4 connection applications for mining equipment covered by that restriction.
Processing of previously submitted applications and work under certain existing connection agreements must be suspended until the relevant prohibition is lifted. Once a complete prohibition ends, the rules require electricity network companies to resume specified procedures and address affected connection agreements within the periods established by the decree.
The legislation separately provides for certain regions where mining may operate under Category 4 connections despite restrictions that would otherwise apply.
However, qualifying for a lower-priority electricity connection does not automatically exempt mining operators from every regional ban. Russia has expanded its regional mining restrictions several times since legalizing regulated cryptocurrency mining in 2024.
Earlier measures covered parts of the North Caucasus and Siberia, where electricity shortages and growing demand had raised concerns among local authorities.
In August 2026, Russia expanded restrictions on cryptocurrency mining in Moscow, the surrounding Moscow Region and designated areas of Kursk.
Government Resolution No. 936 introduced restrictions beginning August 15, 2026, with an end date of December 31, 2032, unless amended.
Regional energy officials had estimated that cryptocurrency mining consumed approximately one gigawatt of electricity within Moscow’s power system. The figure was cited during discussions about preventing capacity shortages.
Separate regional cryptocurrency mining controls were introduced beginning in January 2025, including seasonal restrictions affecting parts of Buryatia, Zabaykalsky Krai and Irkutsk.
The October electricity connection decree operates alongside the existing restrictions governing where mining activity is permitted.
New power rules affect pending mining connection applications
Mining companies planning new facilities must now account for the Category 4 requirement when submitting grid connection requests.
The decree amends the technical connection process and requires qualifying mining facilities to meet the relevant conditions covering system capacity, protective equipment and electricity network operations. For applications already submitted but not yet completed, the new framework may change how electricity providers review requests and issue technical connection conditions.
Government Resolution No. 1300 specifies that when a complete regional mining ban applies, providers must suspend the processing of affected pending applications, the signing of relevant connection agreements and certain previously agreed implementation deadlines.
The legislation sets procedures for restarting those processes when a full prohibition is canceled, including requirements concerning updated connection agreements and applicable charges. In cases where a grid operator cannot approve the necessary Category 4 connection conditions, the regulations provide for rejection or cancellation of applications under specified circumstances.
Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service had separately proposed restrictions preventing electricity companies from conducting cryptocurrency mining or supplying certain facilities and capacity to mining businesses. Bits.media reported on October 10 that the proposal formed part of regulatory discussions concerning electricity providers’ involvement in the mining industry. The October 6 decree does not establish that the antimonopoly proposal has been adopted.
The Ministry of Energy has not announced how many mining farms will require new connections under Category 4 or how much electricity capacity the changes are expected to release for other consumers.
