The Russian government has decreed: digital currency mining facilities are now connected to power grids exclusively under the IV reliability category. This means that in the event of a capacity shortage, they can be disconnected at any moment without prior coordination. The decision, signed in early October 2026, applies to all territories of the country and even allows operation in regions with a direct ban on mining, if the ban contains a corresponding clause.
The IV category appeared back in February of this year as a tool for large consumers. Now it has become mandatory specifically for miners. The Ministry of Energy explains the measure simply: it is necessary to exclude unpredictable growth of load on the infrastructure and to protect ordinary consumers — housing, hospitals, industry. Mining, which consumes enormous volumes of electricity, is placed at the end of the queue.
For those who invest money in crypto farms, this changes the economics of the project. The risks of sudden shutdowns directly affect profitability: equipment downtime means loss of hashrate and profit. Investors must now factor into their calculations not only the price of electricity but also the probability of restrictions. In regions with energy shortages, where farms previously tried to circumvent bans, connection is now officially permitted — but only on conditions of complete vulnerability.
Behind this decision lies a clear logic: energy as a limited resource that the state distributes according to priorities. Residential buildings and social facilities are more important than the speculative extraction of digital assets. The analogy is simple: just as during a drought water is first given to people and livestock to drink, and only then for watering gardens, so here electricity is first and foremost for basic needs. Miners gain access to surpluses, but they pay for it with instability.
For large consumers, the procedure has been simplified — the "suspensive conditions" and requirements for external schemes have been removed. This speeds up formal connection, but does not change the essence: the disconnection priority remains. In the long term, such rules may push miners toward more efficient technologies or toward seeking alternative energy sources, for example, associated gas or renewable capacities.
Ultimately, Russia demonstrates that even in the era of digital assets, the real economy is first and foremost a reliable electricity supply for people. Crypto investors should remember: profit from mining now depends not only on the bitcoin exchange rate but also on how willing the state is to share its energy infrastructure.
