B.C. Bans New Crypto Mining Grid Access Amid Power Demand
British Columbia’s legislature introduced the Energy Statutes Amendment Act on October 20, 2025. The law permanently bans new crypto mining projects from connecting to the provincial power grid. It aims to curb unprecedented electricity demand. The bill would convert a 2022 moratorium into a permanent prohibition. It also restricts power for AI and data centers. The law prioritizes traditional mining, natural gas, low-emission LNG plants and major industrial projects supported by the North Coast Transmission Line. Energy Minister Adrian Dix and Premier David Eby say it will direct clean energy to higher-benefit sectors. They expect it to attract investment, create jobs, prevent grid overload, expand capacity for electric vehicles and heat pumps, and avoid rising tariffs. Similar crypto mining bans have appeared in the US, Kazakhstan, Russia, Norway, and parts of Asia. Governments use them to balance grid stability with economic growth.
Neutral
While British Columbia’s ban on new crypto mining grid connections reduces future local mining capacity and adds regulatory risk, the province accounts for a small share of global hash rate. In the short term, miners and regional power providers may face cost pressures and potential job cuts in the sector. However, major cryptocurrencies like BTC or ETH are unlikely to see significant price shifts. Long term, mining operations can relocate to jurisdictions with looser power rules, neutralizing any regional supply changes. Historical precedents show that similar measures elsewhere have not triggered major market swings, suggesting a neutral impact on crypto prices.