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
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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
  • 6652 Articles
  • 101 Followers
About the Author: Arnab Shome
Arnab is an electronics engineer-turned-financial editor. He entered the industry covering the cryptocurrency market for Finance Magnates and later expanded his reach to forex as well. He is passionate about the changing regulatory landscape on financial markets and keenly follows the disruptions in the industry with new-age technologies.
  • 6652 Articles
  • 101 Followers

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