Crypto influx from China pushes Kazakhstan toward nuclear power

Energy-rich nation, now the No. 2 currency miner, is suddenly thirsty for juice

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A cryptocurrency mining company's data center in Kazakhstan on Nov. 6: Such operations have fueled an "abnormal" rise in the country's energy demand. © Reuters

PAUL BARTLETT, Contributing writer

BISHKEK -- A surge in cryptocurrency mining is sparking electricity shortages in energy-rich Kazakhstan, driving the country to consider nuclear power.

Since China moved to shut down bitcoin mining in May, waves of digital currency miners have migrated to Kazakhstan, propelling the country to second place behind the U.S. in global cryptocurrency production.

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