Licensed Miners in Kazakhstan Drop from 258 to 45

Kazakhstan’s revamped licensing rules for digital mining led to a drastic decline in the number of registered operators, from 258 down to 45. This shift is attributed to stricter requirements, including data-center ownership verification and compliance with energy quotas. According to official sources, miners must now obtain two license types — one for data-center proprietors and another for those merely hosting equipment.

The Ministry of Digital Development indicates that increased inspections and fines have purged “gray” facilities exploiting tariff loopholes. Analysts caution that about $1bn in foreign investment once pledged to the sector may now be in jeopardy. Additionally, a new tax of $0.004 per kWh has eroded profitability for smaller players.

Observers predict that some miners relocated to neighboring countries like Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan with more lenient regulations. However, large firms continue expanding their footprints, betting on long-term contracts with major local energy companies. As a result, the market is heading toward consolidation, while the government refines oversight to support stable growth without overburdening the grid.