A discussion on the Kazakh energy crisis of 2021: the role of cryptocurrency mining factories and the environmental implications

Abstract

This work investigates the factors determining the Kazakh energy crisis which occurred in the second half of 2021. From the correlation observed among some data gathered to the purpose of the analysis, the relevant role played in this by cryptocurrency mining factories is identified. Beginning from June 2021, a massive number of them were relocated to Kazakhstan from the Popular Republic of China (PRC) because of normative restrictions introduced by the latter. The work also develops a reflection aimed at understanding the economic and environmental impact which has been produced by this relocation. The descriptive analysis will proceed as follows: the first section of the article will focus on the regulation of cryptocurrencies; the second section will focus on final electricity consumption and supporting empirical evidence and is closely related to the third and last section; the latter will focus on primary macroeconomic indicators in relation to the increase in CO2 emissions in the Kazakh republic. To this end, it is useful to demonstrate a correlation between the energy crisis, the transfer of cryptocurrency mining to Kazakhstan, and to fuel the discussion regarding the need for a supranational institution with the aim of codifying a common international legislation, thus reinforcing the efforts made so far in this direction. Present and future implications and scenarios derived by the analysis are also introduced.