Oman centralizes bitcoin mining: licensed miners are required to operate through a national pool
Oman is taking a decisive step toward centralizing cryptocurrency mining within its territory. The country's authorities have officially launched a national mining pool, which all licensed digital asset miners are required to join. This is an unprecedented decision for the Persian Gulf region, where private initiative has traditionally prevailed.
Infrastructure and Technological Foundation
The project has been implemented by Oman's Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology in collaboration with Frontier Technologies. The key technology partner is Enegix Global, which provided the pool platform and liquidity infrastructure. In the initial phase, the pool's total computing power is expected to reach approximately 10 EH/s — comparable to the capacities of major private pools in the global market.
Investment Scale and Strategic Context
Since 2022, investments in mining and related data center infrastructure in the Salalah Free Zone have exceeded $700 million. Particularly noteworthy is the $370 million hydro-cooled mining facility — one of the largest such sites in the region. These investments indicate that Oman views Bitcoin mining not as a speculative activity but as a strategic element of its economic diversification.
Analytical Commentary: Oman's initiative is a signal for the entire market. The creation of a national pool allows the state not only to control hash rate flows but also to manage risks associated with energy consumption and environmental standards. If the model proves successful, we may see similar steps from other countries in the Middle East and Central Asia seeking a balance between innovation and sovereign control.