Currently, two of the most promising technologies are developing rapidly in the world – blockchain and artificial intelligence. Public has some understanding about artificial intelligence based on science fiction works, whereas only a small part of the population of our country has an understanding of blockchain technology.  

Blockchain or distributed registry technology is a decentralized, reliable system for storing data in encrypted form. It ensures transparency, stability and data security.

The range of applications of blockchain technologies is expanding every day, including such important areas as medicine, public administration, sports, culture, finance. The use of blockchain technology in the financial sector has become an impetus for the rapid development of cryptocurrencies.

Cryptocurrencies appeared as a reward for performing a set of complex cryptographic algorithms and forming chains in blocks.

The most famous cryptocurrency in the world – bitcoin, originates in 2008, when an unknown person or group of people under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto published a description of the protocol and how bitcoin works. The first launch was made on January 3, 2009, during which the first block was made and the first 50 bitcoins were generated. The main feature of bitcoin and its key advantage is its limited issue – 21 million bitcoins. Due to this, demand is ensured and inflation is leveled.

Over the past 10 years, blockchain technology and bitcoin have transformed the global economy by providing an alternative perspective on financial services. A secure and inaccessible system with a limited issue began to attract an increasing number of investments. Now the cost of 1 bitcoin (as of 10/19/2021) is $ 62,700 and its dominance in the entire cryptocurrency market is 47.1%. Which means a huge interest of institutional investors and major players in the production of the first cryptocurrency.

In Kazakhstan, in order to develop the crypto industry, the law "On Amendments and additions to some legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the regulation of digital technologies" was adopted, which legalized digital mining of cryptocurrencies. This year, the President has signed the law on taxation of digital mining, which comes into force on January 1, 2022. Kazakhstan Association of Blockchain Technologies participated in development of this law.

The existing legislative regulation of the crypto industry and the inexpensive cost of electricity has led to the fact that Kazakhstan, according to the Cambridge Center for Alternative Finance, was ranked second in the world in terms of global computing power. As a result of the ban on the crypto industry in China, investors from China and other countries began to move to Kazakhstan, bringing with them advanced technologies and qualified personnel for the deployment of world-class data centers and the formation of local personnel.

However, bitcoin mining has a technological feature. As previously mentioned, solving complex cryptographic algorithms requires high-performance equipment that consumes electricity. The growing interest in mining increases the number of equipment and, as a result, the increase in electricity consumption. And our country is facing with a shortage of this element.

According to the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a deficit is already being formed in the country, which needs to be filled at the expense of renewable energy sources (hereinafter -RES)[TG1] . According to Minister Magzum Mirzagaliyev, the Ministry has planned to increase the share of renewable energy in Kazakhstan from the current 3% to 6% by 2025 and 15% by 2030.

On the part of the Kazakhstan Association of Blockchain Technologies, we support this solution for generating additional electricity at the expense of solar, wind and gas power plants.

If you look at the international experience, such mining companies as Iris Energy, Greenidge Generation, Gryphon Digital Mining, specializing in green mining of cryptocurrencies, successfully conduct their activities with a zero carbon footprint. Major cryptocurrency mining players such as Marathon are deploying "green" data centers in Texas. If Kazakhstan wants to maintain a leading position in the production of cryptocurrencies and become an attractive center for crypto investors, it is important to increase the share of "green mining" in the country. However, we should remember thatRenewable energy sources have their own characteristics - dependence on the weather, utilization of waste stations, the high cost of manufacturing components, high prices for tariffs, an uneven schedule of electricity supply, requiring grid balancing. In this connection, it is too soon to confidently declare that RES will be able to replace the current power plants. Since a constant source of energy is needed to balance power grids throughout Kazakhstan.

In this regard, the Kazakhstan Association of Blockchain Technologies expresses support for the President's initiative on the need to build a nuclear power plant to provide the country with green and affordable electricity. This will help to make the country independent from carbon.

I would like to emphasize that blockchain technology does not necessarily require such a large amount of electricity. So, at the moment, the number of blockchains based on the Proof-of-Stake consensus algorithm is growing, functioning like a deposit in a bank, which are 99% more environmentally friendly and hundreds of times more energy efficient due to a different principle of operation. In this regard, I would like to dispel the myths about the unequivocal harm to nature from cryptocurrencies.

Globally, the situation around the crypto industry is developing positively. El Salvador has accepted bitcoin as a legal payment instrument. The price of bitcoin is moving to new highs. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for bitcoin are being launched in the USA. Governments of all countries are studying and developing their own digital versions of national currencies. The National Bank of Kazakhstan is also planning to test the digital tenge. In the USA and Europe, cryptocurrencies are allowed, and this industry is developing by leaps and bounds.

Kazakhstan needs to use the rapid development of the industry in the country  to create the infrastructure of the crypto industry (exchanges, exchangers). According to our Association, the main added value is formed during transactions. In this regard, we have brought a proposal to the Government to launch a pilot project for creation of crypto exchange with participation of National Bank The Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan within the premises of Astana International Financial Center. The project is scheduled to be launched in 2021.

In addition, the Association is working on translating key books on blockchain technology into Kazakh for further distribution of books among universities and schools on a free of charge basis. Together with Astana HUB and the IT community, work is underway to hold a project competition for socially important areas.

Summing up the above, it seems advisable not to miss the leading positions in the industry, measured at $ 2.5 trillion (according to the CoinMarketCap service). The introduction of any restrictions will mean the loss of significant tax revenues to the budget and the prospects of Kazakhstan becoming a Eurasian economic hub.

From an energy point of view, it cannot be excluded that investors who have come to Kazakhstan for a long time will be interested in the construction of renewable electricity sources. However, this takes time, and the Kazakhstan Association of Blockchain Technologies suggests that the Government jointly develop a Roadmap for the development of renewable energy in the field of cryptocurrency mining.

Digital mining and the crypto industry have become one of the energy consumers in Kazakhstan, creating a trend towards the development and application of modern technologies in electricity generation. Thus, the ban on digital mining will only lead to a temporary relief of the problem with the shortage of energy resources, an increase in illegal mining, as well as a general decrease in the investment attractiveness of the country.