Moldova Bans Cryptocurrency Mining Amid Energy Crisis Caused By War In Ukraine

The government of Moldova has decided to suspend crypto mining activities in the country as it’s facing a major energy crisis. The move is part of emergency measures to reduce power consumption with energy supplies dwindling due to the escalating conflict in neighboring Ukraine.

Authorities in Moldova Prohibit Bitcoin Minting and Mining Hardware Imports to Save Power

Cryptocurrency mining in Moldova has been targeted amid a deepening energy crisis as the winter approaches. The country’s government took steps this week to limit electricity consumption, including imposing a complete ban on the extraction of digital coins.

The prohibition comes after Moldovan President Maia Sandu urged ministers to introduce restrictions to save power during a meeting of the Eastern European nation’s Security Council. Crypto miners are among the first victims of the cuts, despite their industry not being a significant consumer.

Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Spînu took to Telegram earlier to warn about the expected electricity shortages, blaming Russian air strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and reduced natural gas supplies by Russia’s energy giant Gazprom.

Spînu asked Moldovans to act in solidarity and with responsibility in order to avoid blackouts and disconnections. He called on businesses to turn off advertising or decorative lighting, adjust production hours, and use generators if possible between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.

On Tuesday, Moldova’s Commission for Emergency Situations approved a number of measures to address the energy crisis. Besides mining itself, it also banned any imports of crypto mining equipment. Quoted by the RIA Novosti news agency, it stated:

Activities for the mining of crypto assets are prohibited, as well as the import of specialized equipment…, regardless of the location of the importing company.

The authorities in Chișinău also recommended that Moldovans reduce electricity consumption by using elevators less often, especially during peak hours, and limiting the lighting of commercial building facades and billboards. Local governments have been instructed to reduce street lighting as well.