Russia Says U.S. Interested in Using Nuclear Power for Bitcoin Mining

The two world’s biggest economies, Russia and the United States, are discussing the future of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which has been under Russian control since early in the Ukraine conflict. 

Meanwhile, reports suggest that the U.S has shown interest in using electricity from Europe’s largest nuclear power plant for Bitcoin mining

U.S. Interest Links Nuclear Energy and Bitcoin Mining

According to a report by Kommersant, President Vladimir Putin revealed that the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is part of ongoing talks between Russia and the United States. One of the ideas raised during these discussions is using the plant’s massive electricity output for Bitcoin mining operations.

Zaporizhzhia is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, which produces 136.8 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of energy per day than local demand requires. 

With such a large and steady energy supply, Bitcoin mining, which requires constant, high-volume electricity, could provide a practical way to use this excess power more efficiently.

Why Nuclear Power Appeals to Bitcoin Mining

Bitcoin mining requires stable, low-cost, and continuous electricity. Nuclear power fits this need well, as it provides constant energy without interruptions. In recent years, miners have increasingly turned to alternative energy sources like hydro, wind, and nuclear power to reduce costs and improve sustainability.

Using nuclear energy for Bitcoin mining could also help stabilize power grids by consuming excess electricity that would otherwise go unused. This makes the idea attractive not just for miners, but also for energy planners.

If nuclear-powered Bitcoin mining becomes a reality, it could change how and where Bitcoin is mined globally.

Joint Management Talks Signal a Bigger Shift

Putin’s comments suggest that Russia is open to joint management of the Zaporizhzhia plant with the U.S., rather than Ukraine. While the talks are still at an early stage, they point to a broader shift where energy infrastructure, geopolitics, and digital assets are becoming closely linked.

If such cooperation moves forward, it would mark one of the first cases where a major nuclear facility is openly discussed in the context of Bitcoin mining.

While no official agreement has been announced, the fact that such talks are happening shows how seriously governments are now viewing Bitcoin mining as an industrial activity tied to energy policy.

How Many BTC Are Left For Mining

While Bitcoin has a fixed maximum supply of 21 million coins, most of them have already been mined. As of now, around 19.7 million Bitcoins are already in circulation, which means only about 1.3 million BTC are left to be mined. This is less than 7% of the total supply.

After the 2024 halving, miners now earn 3.125 BTC per block, producing roughly 450 new BTC per day. At this pace, the last Bitcoin will be mined around the year 2140, making Bitcoin increasingly scarce over time.