Catenaa, Saturday, March 01, 2025-Russia power grid operator Rosseti Group, reported losses exceeding 1.3 billion rubles ($14.2 million) in 2024 due to unauthorized cryptocurrency mining, which has strained the country’s energy infrastructure.
The most severe impact was recorded in the North Caucasus, where illegal mining caused losses of over 600 million rubles.
In Novosibirsk, authorities uncovered an operator running 3,200 mining devices, leading to a loss of 197 million rubles ($2.2 million). Officials have intercepted 130 cases of unauthorized power use, with more than 40 under criminal investigation.
Despite the strain from illicit operations, Rosseti is exploring legal cryptocurrency mining to utilize idle power supply centers.
The company is considering a tariff system to regulate energy use and has approached Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin for approval to develop mining centers. If approved, Rosseti could become a major player in Russia’s crypto-mining industry, leveraging its infrastructure to turn excess electricity into revenue while ensuring grid stability.
