FX.co ★ Laos Targets 2026 to End Electricity Supply for Crypto Miners

Laos is considering halting electricity supply to cryptocurrency mining operations by early 2026 to prioritize power for sectors with higher economic benefits, including AI data centers, metal refining, and electric vehicle production, as indicated by Deputy Energy Minister Chanthaboun Soukaloun in an interview with Reuters. The country experienced a surge in crypto mining activities after a 2021 policy shift that provided firms access to affordable, renewable energy, resulting in a mining boom. However, the government has started reducing this activity, with current power usage by miners dropping to approximately 150 megawatts, a significant decrease from the peak usage of 500 megawatts during 2021-2022. Soukaloun explained that the original plan for a phase-out this year was postponed due to unexpected heavy rainfall, which increased hydropower generation and permitted higher electricity exports to Thailand and Vietnam.