Norway plans an autumn investigation that could lead to a temporary ban on crypto mining to manage energy usage
The Bitcoin hashrate dipped to 865 million TH/s on June 20, 2025, reflecting global mining fluctuations.
Rising electricity costs and local noise complaints are influencing Norway’s review of mining data centers.
The Norwegian government is preparing to launch an investigation this autumn that could lead to a temporary ban on cryptocurrency mining. Officials confirmed this move is under review to address energy consumption and capacity limitations across the country. Norway’s Planning and Building Act allows authorities to restrict energy use, giving them legal grounds to implement the proposed ban. This investigation seeks to determine how crypto mining affects Norway’s electricity supply and infrastructure planning.
Investigation to Begin in Autumn
Authorities plan to examine how crypto mining operations impact energy distribution and network capacity. The government will evaluate whether mining centers disrupt Norway’s efforts to reserve power for essential industries. Officials stated that the investigation will also assess land usage and how data centers allocate physical space.
New regulations for data centers will include a registration requirement. This will help the government gather more accurate information on the number and size of mining facilities. Authorities confirmed that this requirement will improve transparency and oversight of the industry within Norwegian borders.
Energy Pressures Influence Government Actions
Rising energy prices across Europe, largely driven by the ongoing war in Ukraine, have pressured governments to safeguard electricity reserves. Norway’s residents have experienced increasing utility costs, and officials are now focusing on conserving energy for critical national needs.
As the government intends to take the measures, recent data from Blockchain.com has noted a dip in hashrate. On June 20, 2025, the Bitcoin network recorded a hashrate of 865,127,971.743 TH/s. This reflects a significant dip from earlier peaks above 940 million TH/s. The hashrate showed strong fluctuations throughout the month.
Source: Blockchain.com (Hashrate)
A visible decline occurred mid-month, followed by partial recovery. Market price in red also declined, closely tracking the hashrate’s downward trend during the same period. The government aims to free up energy for more sustainable and long-term development projects. Officials indicated that the proposed ban could be imposed as early as autumn, pending the findings of the investigation.
Local Communities Raise Concerns Over Noise and Power Use
In several regions, Norwegian residents have raised concerns about the noise generated by large-scale mining operations. These concerns have added to the national debate over whether mining data centers should be restricted. Community complaints have included the continuous operation of mining equipment and its potential environmental impact.
Although noise is not the primary reason for the investigation, local feedback has influenced broader policy discussions. The government emphasized that energy allocation remains the central issue guiding the review. Norway’s consideration of a crypto mining ban follows similar actions in other parts of the world. Russia enacted restrictions in ten regions earlier this year to avoid power shortages.
China also implemented a full ban on mining activities in 2021, prompting several operations to move abroad. Despite these international developments, mining remains legal in most U.S. states. This has contributed to the country’s large share of the global Bitcoin hashrate. Norway’s potential ban could shift Europe’s crypto mining landscape once the investigation concludes later this year.
