Oman centralizes mining: all licensed miners are required to operate through a state pool.
Oman is making a strategic move to regulate the cryptocurrency industry by launching a national mining pool. According to new requirements, all licensed miners in the country must connect to this centralized infrastructure. The initiative is being implemented by Oman's Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology in partnership with Frontier Technologies, with technology and liquidity infrastructure provided by Enegix Global.
Scale and Investments
At the initial stage, the national pool is expected to aggregate approximately 10 EH/s of computing power. This is a significant figure for the region, considering that since 2022, investments in mining and data centers in the Salalah Free Zone have exceeded $700 million. Particularly noteworthy is the $370 million hydro-cooled mining facility — one of the largest projects of its kind in the Middle East.
Analysis and Implications
The creation of a state-run pool is not just a technical measure but a signal that Oman aims to take control over digital asset mining. This could increase operational transparency and simplify tax oversight, but it also limits miners' freedom to choose pools with more favorable conditions. In the long term, such a policy may attract institutional investors who value a regulated environment, but could deter independent operators.
My expert opinion: Centralizing mining in the hands of the state is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it reduces the risks of using capacity for illegal activities. On the other, it sets a precedent where the government can change the rules at any time, making such investments less attractive for international players accustomed to the decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies.