Russia and U.S. Eye Nuclear Power for Bitcoin Mining—Ukraine Excluded
4.9 Adoption Russia and the U.S. are discussing joint management of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, including using its electricity for Bitcoin mining. Talks reportedly exclude Ukraine, and no formal agreement has been reached.
Russia and the United States are reportedly in discussions about the future management of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, with the possibility of using its electricity for Bitcoin or cryptocurrency mining emerging as a key topic. Russian media report that U.S. representatives have shown interest in utilizing surplus electricity from the plant for crypto mining operations. These talks are said to exclude Ukraine, despite the plant being located on Ukrainian territory and under Russian control since March 2022. Ukrainian officials have not confirmed any involvement and have opposed arrangements that bypass Ukraine. The plant, Europe’s largest nuclear facility, is currently not supplying electricity to the grid and is in a safety shutdown. Russian officials have indicated openness to joint management with the U.S., but no formal agreements or pilot projects have been announced. The discussions highlight the intersection of energy infrastructure, geopolitics, and digital assets, with nuclear-generated power for Bitcoin mining seen as a potential industrial use. International bodies continue to monitor the situation, emphasizing legal and safety concerns.
