Russia Considers Ban Prolonged on Cryptocurrency Mining in Irkutsk Region

You're right to look for information about the potential prolonged ban on cryptocurrency mining in the Irkutsk region of Russia. Here's what's being reported, based on recent news:

Potential Year-Round Ban: The Irkutsk region, a significant hub for Bitcoin mining in Russia, is under consideration for a year-round ban on all cryptocurrency mining activities.  
Starting Date: This potential ban could begin as early as April 1, 2025.
Duration: The ban being discussed could extend until mid-2031.
Geographic Focus: The proposed ban would specifically target the southern part of the Irkutsk region in Siberia.  
Reasoning Behind the Ban: The primary driver for this consideration is the significant energy shortage experienced in the region. Large cryptocurrency mining operations in southern Irkutsk are estimated to consume around 650 megawatts of electricity.  
Concerns from Miners: Industry insiders have expressed worry that a complete ban would create major challenges for existing mining centers. Relocating these operations would be difficult due to network connectivity issues in other regions, and many neighboring areas already have seasonal winter mining bans in place.
Previous Ban: It's important to note that a temporary winter ban on crypto mining was already in effect in the southern Irkutsk region, as well as some other Russian regions, from January 1, 2025, to March 15, 2025. This earlier ban was also aimed at easing pressure on the energy grid during peak winter demand.

This news surfaced around March 31, 2025, with reports from Binance Square and Russian media outlets like Kommersant. The situation is still developing, but the potential for a long-term ban is being seriously considered by Russian authorities.

It's also worth noting that earlier reports, dating back to late 2024, indicated a broader six-year ban on cryptocurrency mining in #BTC