Catenaa, Thursday, June 26, 2025-Norway Labor-led government said Friday it will consider a temporary ban on new cryptocurrency mining operations, citing concerns over power consumption and environmental impact.
The proposed moratorium would target power-intensive mining technologies, particularly those used to mine proof-of-work cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Dogecoin.
In a statement, the government announced plans to explore a suspension by fall 2025 on the establishment of new data centers dedicated to crypto mining.
Officials emphasized that while blockchain and AI development remain priorities, electricity and grid resources should be directed toward more value-added sectors like community data hubs and sustainable industries.
Energy Minister Terje Aasland said the government seeks to free up land, power, and grid access for uses that better support economic development, job creation and emission reductions.
Norway, which generates much of its electricity from hydro sources, has experienced rising energy costs due to European-wide fluctuations in wind power and cross-border energy agreements.
While the government did not specify which digital assets were under scrutiny, the industry largely revolves around energy-intensive assets like Bitcoin, Litecoin and Dogecoin.
This is not Norway’s first pushback against mining. In 2018, it scrapped power subsidies for Bitcoin miners in a similar move to reduce industrial strain on the power grid.
The announcement comes as global regulatory pressures mount on crypto mining, with China’s 2021 crackdown prompting a migration of miners to North America. Bitcoin was trading near $103,755 at last check, largely unchanged on the day.
