According to the President of Russia, the Russian side is negotiating with the US on the joint operation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, located on the left bank of the Dnipro River near Enerhodar. Putin noted that discussions about Ukraine's participation in managing the plant did not take place, while American representatives showed interest in using the site for cryptocurrency mining. The source also indicates that electricity supplies to Ukraine are being discussed at the initiative of the American side.
Putin on Talks with the US Regarding Zaporizhzhia NPP
The President shared details of the "negotiation process with the US and Ukraine regarding the peace plan" with members of the union of industrialists and entrepreneurs. He expressed the Russian side's readiness to make certain concessions in negotiations, including partial exchange of occupied territories, while stating that some issues are not being discussed.
Official statements cited by the source emphasize the American side's interest in mining at the plant's site and discussions about electricity supplies. According to meeting participants, these points became part of broader negotiations about the future management of the plant.
Zaporizhzhia NPP: Key Facts
Zaporizhzhia NPP is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and the ninth largest in the world by capacity. The plant consists of six power units; it was built in the 1980s and modernized in the 1990s.
According to the source, Russian military entered the plant's territory in March 2022, and since September, all reactors have been shut down. Currently, the power plant is managed by the Russian state corporation Rosatom.
Donald Trump's Connection to Cryptocurrency Mining
The family of American President Donald Trump and his partners own the recently founded mining company American Bitcoin. According to the source, this company mines bitcoins using the facilities of the Canadian mining company Hut 8.
The article also notes that in mid-December, American Bitcoin's shares sharply dropped by 35%. These facts are presented as part of the context surrounding commercial players linked to the mining industry.
Why This Matters
For miners, it is important to monitor who controls energy balances and which sites are being considered for large-scale electricity consumption. Discussions about using Zaporizhzhia NPP for mining demonstrate interest in major sources of cheap energy, which can influence the market and attract regulators' attention.
Moreover, the involvement of commercial players with international ties and publicly traded shares—as in the case of American Bitcoin—makes mining a subject of political and economic negotiations. This means decisions about access to capacities and their use may be made in a political context, not solely based on technical feasibility.
What to Do?
- Follow official statements and changes in mining regulations; review materials on mining regulation to understand potential legal changes.
- Evaluate energy sources and their reliability when planning purchases and equipment placement; information on electricity shortages and their impact on mining is useful.
- When acquiring equipment, consider external factors including trade barriers and tariffs; see the material on equipment tariffs and potential supply changes.
- Diversify risks: do not rely solely on one site or energy source and have a contingency plan for changing operating conditions.