Kosovo Moves to Ban Crypto Mining in Face of Energy Crisis

The government had declared a 60-day state of emergency, allowing it to allocate more money for energy imports and introduce power cuts.

AccessTimeIconJan 4, 2022 at 4:35 p.m. UTC
Updated May 11, 2023 at 6:33 p.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now

The Republic of Kosovo will ban cryptocurrency mining as a means of tackling its energy crisis.

  • Artane Rizvanolli, the eastern European country’s economy minister, acted on the advice of the Technical Committee for Emergency Measures in Energy Supply on Dec. 31 as part of a set of relief measures.
  • The measures include the “prohibition of the production of cryptocurrencies throughout the territory.”
  • The government declared a state of emergency in December lasting for 60 days, allowing it to allocate more money for energy imports and introduce power cuts, according to a report by the Gazeta Express.
  • The move is similar to that taken by Iran on Dec. 28 to ban crypto mining until March 6 in order to save power and avoid blackouts over the winter.

Disclosure

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.

Jamie Crawley

Jamie Crawley is a CoinDesk news reporter based in London.


Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.



Read more about