Russia is increasing oversight of its Bitcoin and crypto mining industries by requiring legal mining operators to share the IP addresses connected to their mining activities.
The new rule was approved by the Ministry of Finance and added to the country’s crypto mining registry, which is managed by the Federal Tax Service (FTS). Officials say the change will improve transparency and help authorities identify illegal mining operations.
IP Addresses Now Required
Previously, registered miners mainly had to provide business and company details. Under the updated rules, they must also submit the network IP addresses linked to their mining operations.
Authorities believe this extra technical information will make it easier to track mining activity and compare it with internet traffic and electricity usage patterns.
Registry Access Limited to Government Bodies
Meanwhile, the mining registry is not open to the public. Access is restricted to approved institutions, including government agencies, courts, the Central Bank of Russia, and power grid operators.
Officials say the information is used to monitor cryptocurrency activity, investigate violations, assess financial risks, and track electricity demand caused by mining.
Although Russia legalized crypto mining in 2024, many miners still operate outside the official system. The government estimates it loses around $122 million in tax revenue because of unregistered mining activity. The new IP address requirement is intended to make it harder for illegal miners to avoid detection.
Violations Could Lead to Removal
Authorities warned that miners who provide false information or break regulations could be removed from the registry. Since unregistered mining is generally illegal in Russia, removal would effectively prevent a company from continuing operations legally.
Ultimately, the new rules are part of a broader effort to tighten control over crypto mining. Russia has already introduced mining bans in several energy-stressed regions to reduce pressure on electricity infrastructure. Since legalizing mining in 2024, the government has steadily introduced stricter reporting and compliance requirements for the industry.
Related: Russia Finalizes Crypto Bill as Digital Assets Gain Legal Status