Russia’s tightening regulations on cryptocurrency mining have led to a surge in licensing applications, with the tax authorities receiving 150 submissions since November 1, 2024.
Daniil Egorov, head of the Federal Tax Service, stated that the process is just beginning, and more applications are expected. Miners using under 6,000 kWh of energy monthly are exempt from registration, but others must disclose mining assets and wallet information.
While some speculate that Russia may be following China’s lead in restricting crypto, experts believe the government’s goal is to tax the growing digital asset sector. Other countries, like India and Denmark, have also introduced high taxes on crypto.
Russia’s push to regulate mining comes amidst concerns over its energy consumption and may signal a broader shift toward crypto acceptance, similar to El Salvador’s legalization of Bitcoin.
In addition, nations like Bhutan have recently profited from Bitcoin sales, despite not recognizing cryptocurrencies as legal tender. Bhutan’s government wallet now holds over a billion dollars in crypto, bolstered by a recent market rally.
U.S. banking regulators have issued fresh clarity on how financial institutions should handle cryptocurrency custody.
The United States has entered a pivotal week for the crypto industry as lawmakers and digital asset advocates prepare for what’s being dubbed “Crypto Week.”
The U.S. Senate has confirmed Jonathan Gould as the next head of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), moving his nomination to President Donald Trump for final approval.
Australia is stepping up its digital currency efforts with the next phase of Project Acacia, a pilot focused on testing central bank digital currency (CBDC) and tokenized finance in real-world applications.