NB Power crypto restriction: What it means for users and exchanges

When we talk about NB Power crypto restriction, a policy limiting cryptocurrency mining due to energy grid strain in New Brunswick. It's not about banning crypto itself — it's about stopping the massive power drain from mining rigs. This isn't some distant rule. It's a real, active policy that’s shutting down mining operations and forcing users to rethink how they interact with blockchain networks.

The energy grid, the system that delivers electricity to homes and businesses in New Brunswick can’t handle the constant load from crypto miners running 24/7. In 2023, the provincial government stepped in after power bills spiked and blackouts became a risk. crypto mining, the process of validating blockchain transactions using powerful computers was identified as the main culprit. Unlike a household using a few lights or a fridge, a single mining rig can pull as much power as a small apartment. Multiply that by hundreds — and you get a grid under stress.

This restriction doesn’t stop you from owning Bitcoin or trading on exchanges like Bit2C or Coinmate. But if you’re running a mining setup at home, you’re now breaking the law. Even large-scale operations in industrial zones got shut down. Some miners moved to places with cheaper, greener energy — like Quebec or Iceland. Others switched to staking or yield farming, which uses way less power. The blockchain energy use, the total electricity consumed by proof-of-work networks like Bitcoin is still a hot topic globally, but NB’s move is one of the few places where governments actually acted on it.

What does this mean for you? If you’re in New Brunswick, don’t try to mine. The fines are real, and the power company tracks usage patterns. If you’re outside NB, this is a warning. Other regions are watching. If your local utility starts raising rates or cutting power, crypto mining could be next on the chopping block. The trend isn’t going away — clean energy goals are pushing governments to draw a line.

Below, you’ll find real stories from people who lost their mining rigs, reviews of exchanges that still work in regulated zones, and guides on how to earn crypto without draining the grid. No fluff. No hype. Just what’s working now — and what’s not.