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Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on December 24, 2025, that Russia and the United States are discussing joint management of the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP)—Europe’s largest nuclear facility—**excluding Ukraine**. He claimed U.S. representatives expressed interest in using the plant’s excess electricity for cryptocurrency mining, particularly Bitcoin.
Speaking at a meeting with Russian business leaders, Putin said the talks include potential electricity supplies to Ukraine at Washington’s initiative. He noted Ukrainian staff continue operating the plant but now hold Russian passports, placing them under Moscow’s jurisdiction.
The ZNPP, seized by Russian forces in March 2022, remains offline and a persistent safety concern for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which warns of risks from ongoing conflict. Nuclear experts highlight that diverting power to energy-intensive mining could strain operations in a militarized zone.
The claims, first reported by Russian outlet Kommersant, have not been confirmed by U.S. officials. Ukrainian authorities and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have rejected any bilateral deals bypassing Kyiv, insisting on full demilitarization and return of control. Analysts view Putin’s remarks as potential leverage in broader peace negotiations, amid reports of U.S.-Russia contacts on Ukraine.
Crypto markets reacted mildly, with Bitcoin holding steady near $89,000, as the proposal—if realized—could utilize surplus baseload power efficiently but raises ethical, safety, and sovereignty issues. No timeline or formal agreements exist, and international observers stress transparency to avoid escalation.
This development underscores crypto’s growing ties to geopolitics and energy, though verification remains limited to Russian sources.
