Bitcoin (BTC) and crypto miners in Russia are using more energy than the nation’s agricultural sector, says the Ministry of Industry and Trade – while MPs are set to vote on a bill that would allow international traders to pay for goods in crypto or accept payments made in cryptoassets.
Per Vedomosti, the Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Vasily Shpak claimed that over 2% of all the electricity consumed in Russia is now being used to power crypto mining rigs.
Shpak, who was speaking at an event operated by the ruling United Russia Party, stated that miners were spending more than farmers on electricity, and added:
“As such, we cannot do anything else except recognize mining as a form of industry. [...] Our position is absolutely unambiguous: Mining must be recognized, regulated, and classified as industrial activity.”
The ministry has been insistent on recognizing, legalizing, and taxing crypto mining for months – and favors a system whereby miners would be forced to register...
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