Mining in data centers: fines up to 2 million rubles and equipment confiscation — a new blow to "gray" miners
Russian lawmakers continue to tighten regulation of the cryptocurrency industry. The State Duma Committee on State Construction and Legislation has approved for the second reading a package of amendments that introduces administrative liability for mining digital currencies in data processing centers (DPCs). This refers to the direct installation of mining equipment, as well as participation in pools through DPC resources. The maximum fine for legal entities could reach 2 million rubles.
The Meaning of the Legislative Changes
The basic bill, introduced back in January by a group of deputies led by the head of the Energy Committee, Nikolai Shulginov, is finally gaining clear outlines of punishment. The authorities are definitively closing another popular method for crypto miners to place computing power. This initiative was discussed as early as summer 2025, and now we are seeing its implementation.
The logic of the regulators here is obvious: they aim to protect the stable operation of legal data centers from miners who claim industry preferences, including preferential technological connection and subsidized energy tariffs. Essentially, the state wants to prevent distortions in the energy market, where gray miners use infrastructure intended for other purposes.
Amounts of Administrative Fines
The developed sanctions are strictly differentiated depending on the legal status of the violator. 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 we can see, ultimately 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 for up to three months.
My expert commentary: This is a logical continuation of the "tightening the screws" policy in the Russian crypto sphere. Mining in DPCs was a "gray area" where data center operators often turned a blind eye to the source of the load. Now, the risks for such schemes are becoming unacceptably high. The market expects a flow of capacity either into legal, registered pools or into semi-shadow schemes, but already with much higher costs. For honest players, this is a signal for complete transparency of operations, otherwise — multi-million ruble fines and business shutdowns.