Oman centralizes mining: all licensed companies are required to operate through a national pool
Oman has taken a landmark step in regulating cryptocurrency mining, requiring all licensed digital asset miners to operate exclusively through a state-run mining pool. This project was implemented by Oman's Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology in partnership with Frontier Technologies, with Enegix Global providing the technological platform and liquidity infrastructure. Thus, the sultanate aims to strengthen control over the industry and increase operational transparency.
Scale and Investments
At the initial stage, the national pool is expected to consolidate approximately 10 EH/s of computing power. This is a significant figure that demonstrates the country's ambitions in the global mining industry. Since 2022, Oman has attracted over $700 million in investments in mining and data center infrastructure in the Salalah Free Zone. This amount includes, in particular, the construction of a hydro-cooled mining facility worth $370 million — one of the most expensive projects of its kind in the region.
The creation of a mandatory national pool is not just an administrative measure but a strategic move aimed at consolidating hashrate and attracting large investors. Oman is clearly striving to become a regional hub for legal mining, offering clear rules of the game and government support. However, such centralization also carries risks: it reduces the decentralized nature of the network and creates a single point of failure for all local miners.
My comment: Oman demonstrates how Middle Eastern states are beginning to actively integrate mining into their economies, utilizing surplus energy resources. However, the forced consolidation into a single pool may deter some operators accustomed to flexibility and independence. Nevertheless, for small miners, this could become a stable and predictable source of income.