Norway plans to introduce a temporary ban on new cryptocurrency mining operations that rely on energy-intensive technologies, the government said Friday, citing electricity conservation and minimal economic benefits.
“The Labour Party government has a clear intention to limit the mining of cryptocurrency in Norway as much as possible,” Karianne Tung, Minister for Digitalization and Public Administration, said in a statement.
The proposed ban targets new data centers that use the most electricity-demanding forms of crypto mining, such as proof-of-work validation, which underpins bitcoin (BTC-USD). According to the government, these operations contribute little to local employment or economic development while consuming significant power resources.
The initiative is part of a broader energy policy shift as Norway faces increasing demand from industrial and digital sectors. Final legislation is expected to be introduced in autumn 2025.