Oman takes control of Bitcoin mining: mandatory connection to the national pool
Omani authorities have taken a decisive step towards centralizing cryptocurrency mining, requiring all licensed miners in the country to operate exclusively through a single national mining pool. The project was implemented by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology in collaboration with Frontier Technologies, with Enegix Global providing the technological foundation and liquidity infrastructure.
This decision is not merely an administrative measure but a signal that Oman intends to become a full-fledged player in the global bitcoin market, albeit with strict state control. In the first phase, the national pool is expected to accumulate approximately 10 EH/s of hashrate, which is already a significant indicator for the region.
Billion-dollar investments in infrastructure
Since 2022, Oman has attracted over $700 million in mining and related data center infrastructure. A key facility is the Salalah Free Zone, where a $370 million hydro-cooled mining site has been deployed. These figures confirm that the country is making a long-term bet on digital assets.
Analytical conclusion
The creation of a national pool is a double blow to decentralization. On one hand, Oman gains the ability to control hashrate flows and potentially influence the distribution of block rewards. On the other hand, this approach may deter major Western investors accustomed to the freedom of choosing pools. In the short term, this will strengthen Oman's position as a regional mining hub, but in the long term, it sets a precedent for other Middle Eastern countries that may follow suit.