Mining in Data Centers Under Attack: Fines up to 2 Million Rubles and Equipment Confiscation
Russian legislators are finally tightening the rules for cryptocurrency miners. 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 and mining digital currencies in data centers. The maximum fine for legal entities could reach 2 million rubles, and that is far from the only consequence.
The initiative, which was discussed back in the summer of 2025, is now taking on clear outlines of punishment. Regulators are consistently closing off another popular method for miners to place computing power, aiming to protect the stable operation of legal data centers from overloads and the misuse of subsidized energy tariffs.
Essence of the Legislative Changes
The basic 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 that details penalties for illegal cryptocurrency mining.
The latest amendment is directly aimed at the use of commercial data center facilities. Both the direct installation of specialized devices (ASIC miners) and indirect participation in mining pools through data center resources are prohibited. This follows the regulators' previous logic: authorities seek to prevent miners from gaining access to subsidized energy tariffs and technological connections intended for the IT sector.
Amounts of Administrative Fines
The developed sanctions are strictly differentiated depending on the legal status of the violators. Detailed parameters of liability are presented below:
| 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 not only have to pay substantial sums but also face the real threat of a complete halt to all operational processes for three months.
Cryptalist Analysis: This is a logical step within the overall policy of regulating the crypto industry in Russia. By closing the data center loophole, the state is essentially forcing miners to either fully legalize and operate in a "gray" zone with increased risks, or go into the shadows. For conscientious data center operators, this is undoubtedly a plus—it reduces the load on infrastructure and eliminates reputational risk. However, for small and medium-sized miners who rented capacity in data centers, this market is now practically closed. The mining hosting market in Russia is facing a major restructuring.