Kazakhstan approves strategic crypto mining rules tied to national reserveKazakhstan plans to require miners to meet strict infrastructure standards and transfer part of their mined crypto assets to a state-backed reserve under new rules.

Kazakhstan, a leading global hub for Bitcoin mining, has approved a new regulatory framework aimed at strategic digital mining. The government resolution, published on July 18 and set to take effect on August 1, 2026, ties access to electricity at regulated tariffs to miners contributing a portion of their mined crypto assets to a state-backed digital asset reserve managed by Astana Hub, a government-supported technology cluster. This move reflects Kazakhstan's broader effort to develop national digital asset infrastructure.

The strategic mining status requires miners to meet stringent infrastructure standards, including owning a mining data center with a capacity of at least 150 megawatts and using mining hardware with a minimum computing power of 150 terahashes per second per unit. Furthermore, miners need qualified technical staff, on-site repair facilities, multiple internet service contracts, and compliance with tax and other regulatory obligations. Only those miners who fulfill these criteria and sign agreements with Astana Hub’s autonomous cluster fund will have access to these benefits and be required to purchase electricity from approved power companies.

While the new rules mandate that miners transfer a portion of their mined crypto assets to a reserve mechanism, the exact share is not explicitly specified in the official resolution. Local media cites a 10% transfer rate, but this figure has not been independently verified by Cointelegraph. This initiative aligns with previous government efforts such as the creation of the Alem Crypto Fund in September 2025, which invests in long-term digital asset reserves, including a partnership with Binance Kazakhstan involving BNB.

Kazakhstan’s new strategic mining regulations underscore the country’s commitment to tightening control over crypto mining operations and integrating digital assets into its national financial and technological ecosystem. The framework is a significant step in regulating a sector where Kazakhstan ranks fifth globally by Bitcoin mining activity, according to the Cambridge Digital Mining Industry Report. These developments accompany broader moves toward crypto adoption, exemplified by services like Crypto Pay launched in July 2026, enabling payments through crypto via bank-linked point-of-sale terminals.