Kazakhstan to allow crypto miners to generate power from surplus oilfield gas

Kazakhstan is moving to let cryptocurrency mining companies run their own power plants using surplus associated gas produced at oil fields, Euronews reported. Under the plan, miners would secure cheap and stable electricity, while oil producers would earn revenue by selling gas that had previously been flared. Kazakhstan had restricted miners' electricity use after power shortages and blackouts followed the 2021 mining boom, but shifted course last year toward incentive policies aimed at reviving the legal mining industry. Associated gas is currently being flared at around 40 to 60 oil fields, and the Energy Ministry and the Ministry of AI and Digital Development are in talks on establishing a legal framework.