The United Arab Emirates has formally aligned itself with a small however rising group of nations that deal with Bitcoin mining as state-linked infrastructure. On the identical time, a long-dormant miner from the early days of the community has moved $181 million price of BTC.
Latest bulletins circulating on social media declare that the UAE authorities is now sponsoring Bitcoin mining operations fueled by the nation’s giant provide of pure fuel. Binance founder CZ commented that the UAE “has been mining for some time,” including that the nation’s peak power demand lasts solely three days in the summertime and that capability covers that interval, leaving a surplus of power for the remainder of the 12 months that’s partly transformed into Bitcoin.
The UAE’s peak power demand is 3 days in summer season. Its capability covers that. Throughout the remainder of the 12 months, they’ve surplus power, (a part of) which is transformed into bitcoin. Sturdy retailer of worth with the bottom storage value. It makes lots of sense. 🤷♂️ https://t.co/Jcw2cItMsB
– CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) January 12, 2026
Arkham Intelligence reported in August 2025 that the United Arab Emirates had amassed roughly 6,300 to six,450 BTC, valued at round $700 million on the time, by way of state-backed mining carried out by way of Citadel Mining. The nation considers Bitcoin mining to be a part of its strategic infrastructure, inserting it in the identical class as information facilities, telecommunications and power initiatives.
The coverage throughout the federation isn’t uniform. In September 2025, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi banned crypto mining on agricultural land and launched fines of as much as AED 100,000 for violations to guard power sources and land use laws.
Reviews additionally observe that the governments of El Salvador, Bhutan, Japan, Russia and Iran are concerned in or sponsoring Bitcoin mining in several methods. El Salvador, which adopted Bitcoin as authorized tender in 2021 earlier than reversing that step in 2025, nonetheless holds 7,517 BTC and has mined 474 BTC within the final three years, utilizing geothermal power from volcanoes.
Bhutan revealed in 2023 that it had secretly mined Bitcoin since 2018, producing roughly 55 to 75 BTC per week, and used the income to assist fund civil servant salaries and public companies. Ethiopia has agreements with worldwide miners to make use of surplus hydropower, whereas Iran legalized mining on the state degree in 2019. Nonetheless, it subsequently closed 100 unlawful farms in 2025 and periodically suspended even authorized operations throughout energy shortages.
First Bitcoin Miners Ship 2000 BTC to Coinbase
Along with state exercise, on-chain information reveals renewed motion by early miners. CryptoQuant’s Julio Moreno reported that one miner lively within the “Satoshi period” moved round $181 million price of Bitcoin, marking the primary such exercise by that cohort since November 2024, when BTC traded round $91,000.
A Satoshi-era miner moved 2,000 Bitcoin at present, the primary time this has occurred since November 2024, when Bitcoin was ~$91,000.
Traditionally, Satoshi-era miners transfer their Bitcoin at key inflection factors. pic.twitter.com/cUKIM5uXL6
– Julio Moreno (@jjcmoreno) January 10, 2026
Sani, founding father of TimechainIndex, printed blockchain information indicating {that a} miner controlling funds in 40 public-key fee wallets despatched 2,000 BTC, from block rewards that had been dormant since 2010, to wallets related to the Coinbase alternate.
Associated: Eric Trump calls US Bitcoin mining facility ‘residing proof’ of cryptocurrencies
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