Laos is set to halt all electricity supply to cryptocurrency mining farms by the first quarter of 2026. This strategic move, announced by Deputy Energy Minister Chanthaboun Soukaloun, signals a major shift in the country's economic priorities, aiming to reallocate power toward sectors with greater perceived economic value, such as AI data centers, electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, and metal refining.
The decision reflects the government's view that crypto mining "doesn’t create value" compared to industrial and commercial consumers. The initial decision to supply power to crypto miners in 2021 was a temporary measure due to a domestic electricity oversupply.
Currently, crypto mining farms in Laos consume about 150 megawatts—a 70% decrease from their peak usage in 2021 and 2022. By discontinuing power to these operations, Laos seeks to optimize its resources, potentially reducing Southeast Asia's overall crypto hash rate while accelerating its own industrial growth and securing better long-term economic returns.
October 2025, Cryptoniteuae