Chinese Bitcoin Miners in Russia Receive Military Enlistment Notices
"Chinese Bitcoin Miners in Russia Face Military Conscription Dilemma"
Following President Putin's Executive Order No. 821, Chinese miners in Russia are confronted with a stark choice: either abandon their residency status or enlist in the Russian military. The order mandates that foreign males aged 18 to 65 must agree to serve at least one year in a military unit to be eligible for long-term residency permits—a critical requirement for legally registering large-scale mining operations.
Russia had previously legalized cryptocurrency mining in 2024, luring miners with cheap electricity, particularly in Siberia. However, the new regulations have created a "deadly loop": to mine legally, individuals must register; to register, they need long-term residency; and to obtain residency, they must be prepared for military service. This effectively turns foreign miners into potential conscripts.
Alternative strategies, such as using business visas or local proxies, are also becoming unviable. Russia has tightened immigration controls, criminalized illegal mining with penalties of up to five years in prison, and granted courts the power to confiscate mining equipment and Bitcoin assets. Enhanced surveillance, including drones and AI monitoring of electricity usage, makes it nearly impossible to operate undetected.
Additionally, energy shortages have led to power restrictions in key mining regions like Siberia and the North Caucasus, further squeezing miners. With mounting legal, operational, and geopolitical risks, the window for Chinese miners to continue operating in Russia—or exit safely—is rapidly closing.
marsbit02/27 02:34
