Moscow moves to regulate the mining sector and maximize tax revenues through a new centralized database.
Russia’s Ministry of Energy has initiated the creation of a national registry for Bitcoin mining equipment, as part of an effort to curb illegal operations and increase the state’s tax revenues.
According to state news agency RIA Novosti, the project is being developed in collaboration with the Federal Tax Service and the Ministry of Digital Development. The goal is to establish a centralized database cataloging all equipment used for mining activities within the country.
Deputy Energy Minister Petr Konyushenko stated that a draft of the document has been sent to regions with high levels of mining activity. The government believes this initiative will enable authorities to accurately identify anyone using electricity for mining.
Previous reports indicate that numerous industrial operators across the country are conducting mining operations, often through unauthorized connections to national power grids. Many of these operators exploit subsidized electricity intended for residential consumers to power their data centers — a practice that results in losses for the state in both energy resources and missed tax revenues.
Registration requirements for operators
The new registry will require all miners to provide specific details about their equipment, including serial numbers and device models. They must also declare information about all hardware associated with mining operations.
According to Konyushenko, this measure represents “a step towards legalizing the sector and reducing illegal energy consumption.” The initiative is expected to facilitate regulatory compliance checks and improve tax collection.
Criticism of the project
Not everyone is enthusiastic about the move. Among the critics is lawmaker Anton Gorelkin, one of the architects of Russia’s mining regulations. Gorelkin expressed doubts about the registry’s effectiveness, arguing that it remains unclear how such a tool would actually combat illegal activities.
The parliamentarian pointed out that Moscow already has the necessary means to identify miners who use electricity unlawfully. In his view, it would be more productive to focus on helping operators legalize equipment purchased through unofficial channels.
