Uzbekistan issues first crypto mining license, joins Central Asia’s Bitcoin mining race
Uzbekistan has granted its first official cryptocurrency mining license to NexaGrid, a private company registered in Tashkent that plans to build a mining facility in Romitan district, Bukhara region. The permit was issued by the National Agency of Perspective Projects (NAPP), the body responsible for enforcing crypto regulations and licensing. NexaGrid was founded in April 2025 with statutory capital of 600 million Uzbek sums (about $50,000); founders are Toymurod Sultonov (63% owner) and Makhmudjon Rozimurodov (37%).
Regulations adopted by NAPP in 2023 set application requirements: dedicated compliant mining sites, technical specs and energy ratings for hardware, a list of cryptocurrencies to be mined and wallet addresses, and details on solar power installations or electricity supply agreements. Companies connecting to the public grid must install separate meters. Hidden mining and minting of anonymous assets are prohibited. Applications undergo a 15-day fee-free review; permits are electronic QR-coded certificates valid for five years and may be suspended or revoked for violations.
The licensing ends months of uncertainty and positions Uzbekistan to enter Central Asia’s growing Bitcoin mining industry, where neighbors such as Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan already operate. The move could encourage infrastructure investment in renewable-backed mining (solar) and create greater regulatory transparency for miners in the region.
Neutral
The news is neutral for market direction. It is positive for regional mining development and regulatory clarity—factors that can encourage institutional or operational investment in mining infrastructure—but it is unlikely to have an immediate material effect on cryptocurrency prices like BTC. Past similar events (e.g., Kazakhstan permitting miners) tended to support local mining activity and energy/infra sectors rather than trigger sizable short-term price moves. Short-term: traders may see minor positive sentiment for mining-related equities or ASIC sellers and local crypto service providers. Long-term: clearer, renewables-friendly licensing could increase regional hash rate contribution and improve network decentralization, which is structurally positive for Bitcoin’s security but diffuse in pricing impact. Risks include enforcement uncertainty, grid constraints, and potential policy reversals that could limit upside. Overall, expect modest sector-specific implications rather than direct market-moving effects.