Kazakhstan, one of the world’s largest Bitcoin mining hubs, has approved a new framework for large-scale crypto mining that combines access to electricity and contribution to state-backed digital asset reserves.
Kazakhstan-based news agency Zakon.kz reported on Wednesday that the government approved the rules for strategic digital mining on July 18, citing government resolution No. 638 published in the PRG.kz legal database.
The regulation defines strategic digital mining as a framework that gives miners access to power allocations at a regulated fee in exchange for transferring a portion of their mined crypto assets to Astana Hub, a government-backed technology cluster.
Kazakhstan was ranked 5th in the world for Bitcoin mining activity in the Cambridge Digital Mining Industry Report published in April 2025.
New rules raise hurdles for strategic miners
Under the new framework, miners seeking strategic positions must meet stringent infrastructure requirements before receiving approval.
According to Zakon.kz, applicants must own a digital mining data center with a capacity of at least 150 megawatts (MW) and use mining hardware with a minimum computing power of 150 terahash per second (TH/s) for each unit.
Kazakhstan ranks fifth in the world for Bitcoin mining activity. Source: Cambridge Alternative Finance Center.
The rule also requires mining operators to have qualified technical staff, data center repair facilities, multiple internet service contracts, and required tax and other payments up to date. According to Zakon.kz, the government resolution is scheduled to come into force on August 1, 2026.
Miners must transfer some of the mined assets
Approved miners will be required to sign a contract with the Astana Hub’s Autonomous Cluster Fund and purchase electricity from eligible power generation companies under the new framework.
The rules require miners to transfer a portion of their mined crypto assets to a reserve organization, but the percentage is not specified. Local media reports put the transfer rate at 10%, but Cointelegraph was unable to independently verify that number.
sauce: National Business Kazakhstan/Telegram
The new mining rules build on Kazakhstan’s broader push to develop a state-backed digital asset infrastructure. In September 2025, Kazakhstan launched the Alem Crypto Fund, a state-backed vehicle focused on long-term digital asset reserves, with the first investment involving BNB through a partnership with Binance Kazakhstan.
The country is also moving towards broader cryptocurrency adoption through regulated financial services. In July 2026, Alatau City Bank and Binance Kazakhstan launched Crypto Pay, a service that allows users to make cryptocurrency payments through QR codes and POS terminals connected to the bank’s payment network.
