Kazakhstan Plans to Revive Crypto Mining Using Associated Petroleum Gas

The government of Kazakhstan is promoting the use of associated petroleum gas to power cryptocurrency mining operations, aiming to restore an industry previously hampered by power shortages. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree in July to establish a framework for utilizing this gas for digital mining. According to Daniyar Mubarakov, head of the Blockchain and Digital Mining Association, the country's associated gas could generate 1.2 to 1.3 TWh of electricity, enough to support data centers or Bitcoin mining farms at up to 60 oil fields. This initiative allows oil companies to sell waste gas to miners, reducing disposal costs, while miners secure long-term power prices. The Ministry of Digital Development and Aerospace Industry stated that the mechanism is expected to increase tax revenue and improve environmental outcomes.