Norway First in EU to Pass Law Curbing Crypto Mining, Cites Energy Concerns

Apr 16, 2024, 12:52 AM

Norway has enacted a new law aimed at regulating data centers, specifically targeting the reduction of cryptocurrency mining due to its high energy consumption and associated large greenhouse gas emissions. This legislation marks Norway as the first country in the European Union to implement such discriminatory measures based on power usage. The law is intended to allow the Norwegian government to selectively shut down data center projects that are deemed undesirable. Minister of Energy, Terje Aasland, has been criticized for his statements, which some interpret as showing a lack of understanding of energy, Bitcoin, and emissions.