Local Chinese Authority Seeks to Curb Bitcoin Mining

Friday, 22/05/2020 | 11:48 GMT by Arnab Shome
  • Sichuan province contributes almost 10 percent of China’s total hash rate.
Local Chinese Authority Seeks to Curb Bitcoin Mining
FM

Chinese local government of Sichuan province has turned hostile towards the booming Bitcoin mining operations and issued a notice proposing a ban on the sector.

The notice has been issued by the financial administrator of the Sichuan province, ordering all subordinate offices to ensure that the hydroelectric power plants should stop investment in digital currency mining projects and also stop adding new mining projects.

Failing to follow the local authorities' order would end up in an investigation on the hydroelectric power plant for illegal construction projects, along with bans, fines, self-demolition, and other administrative measures.

However, it is not clear whether the proposed rules will be implemented only on hydroelectricity power plants or also on the already operating Bitcoin mining farms.

A key region for China's Bitcoin mining industry

Sichuan is producing almost 10 percent of China’s total hash power, becoming the second province with Bitcoin mining demand only following Xinjiang.

The notice came when the rainy season in the province is approaching which usually sees a massive surge in hydroelectricity production, resulting in the cheap distribution of power to the Bitcoin mining farms.

According to industry experts, this local notice might result in the ending of the rainy season subsidy in electricity costs to the Bitcoin mining farms, not a complete ban on the entire industry.

Though China remains the leading contributor to the Bitcoin mining Hash Rate , many other regions are also becoming popular for Bitcoin mining.

Many commercialized mining farms have been set up in Canada and also in the United States. Iran has completely regulated the sector and recently handed a license to a mining facility with 6,000 mining devices - one of the largest Bitcoin mining facilities in the region.

Chinese local government of Sichuan province has turned hostile towards the booming Bitcoin mining operations and issued a notice proposing a ban on the sector.

The notice has been issued by the financial administrator of the Sichuan province, ordering all subordinate offices to ensure that the hydroelectric power plants should stop investment in digital currency mining projects and also stop adding new mining projects.

Failing to follow the local authorities' order would end up in an investigation on the hydroelectric power plant for illegal construction projects, along with bans, fines, self-demolition, and other administrative measures.

However, it is not clear whether the proposed rules will be implemented only on hydroelectricity power plants or also on the already operating Bitcoin mining farms.

A key region for China's Bitcoin mining industry

Sichuan is producing almost 10 percent of China’s total hash power, becoming the second province with Bitcoin mining demand only following Xinjiang.

The notice came when the rainy season in the province is approaching which usually sees a massive surge in hydroelectricity production, resulting in the cheap distribution of power to the Bitcoin mining farms.

According to industry experts, this local notice might result in the ending of the rainy season subsidy in electricity costs to the Bitcoin mining farms, not a complete ban on the entire industry.

Though China remains the leading contributor to the Bitcoin mining Hash Rate , many other regions are also becoming popular for Bitcoin mining.

Many commercialized mining farms have been set up in Canada and also in the United States. Iran has completely regulated the sector and recently handed a license to a mining facility with 6,000 mining devices - one of the largest Bitcoin mining facilities in the region.

About the Author: Arnab Shome
Arnab Shome
  • 7315 Articles
  • 133 Followers
About the Author: Arnab Shome
Arnab Shome is an electronics engineer-turned-financial editor. He holds a Bachelor of Technology from the National Institute of Technology, Agartala. He entered the retail trading industry about a decade ago, covering the cryptocurrency market for Finance Magnates, and later expanded his coverage to include forex and CFDs as well. His work at Finance Magnates includes C-level interviews, data-driven analysis, opinion pieces, and scoops of industry exclusives. He also contributes to Finance Magnates’ quarterly industry report. Area of coverage: 1. CFD broker-related news 2. Industry-related Regulatory updates and developments 3. New retail trading trends 4. Prop trading industry updates 5. Executive interviews Education: Bachelor of Technology - National Institute of Technology, Agartala (India)
  • 7315 Articles
  • 133 Followers

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