Mining in data centers in Russia: fines up to 2 million rubles and equipment confiscation
Russian lawmakers are finally closing the loophole for miners who attempted to use data center infrastructure for cryptocurrency mining. The State Duma Committee on State Construction and Legislation has approved for the second reading a package of amendments introducing administrative liability for placing mining equipment in data centers. The maximum fine for legal entities reaches 2 million rubles.
This initiative, which was already being discussed in the summer of 2025, is now taking on clear outlines of punishment. The authorities are consistently closing yet another popular method for crypto miners to place their computing power, seeking to protect the stable operation of legal data centers from miners who claim industry preferences, including preferential technological connection and subsidized energy tariffs.
Essence of the Legislative Changes
The base bill was submitted for consideration in January by a group of deputies led by the head of the Energy Committee, Nikolai Shulginov. As a result of the review, the Code of Administrative Offenses will be supplemented with a new article regulating penalties for illegal crypto mining.
The latest amendment is aimed directly against the use of commercial platforms. According to the document, both the direct installation of specialized devices (ASICs) and indirect participation in mining pools through data center resources fall under the ban. The previous logic of regulators is evident here: authorities seek to prevent overloading the energy system and abuse of benefits intended for legitimate data center operators.
Amounts of Administrative Fines
The developed sanctions are strictly differentiated depending on the legal status of the violators. Detailed parameters of liability are presented in the table:
| Category of Violators | Monetary Fine | Additional Penalties |
| Individuals | From 100,000 to 150,000 rubles | Mandatory confiscation of equipment |
| Officials | From 300,000 to 800,000 rubles | Disqualification for a period of 1 to 2 years |
| Individual Entrepreneurs | From 300,000 to 800,000 rubles | Suspension of activities for up to 90 days |
| Legal Entities | From 1 million to 2 million rubles | Suspension of activities for up to 90 days |
As a result, the most stringent measures will affect large businesses. Companies will have to not only pay substantial sums but also face the real threat of a complete halt to all operational processes.
Cryptalist Analysis: This is a logical continuation of the course toward total regulation of mining in Russia. The authorities are consistently pushing illegal players out of all niches where they could parasitize on infrastructure created for other purposes. Confiscation of equipment for individuals is a particularly harsh measure that, in my opinion, should have been implemented much earlier. Now miners face a choice: either move into the legal field with registration and tax payment, or wind down their activities in the country. The data center market, freed from "gray" load, awaits a redistribution of capacity in favor of legal IT companies.