Mining–the computational backbone of the crypto ecosystem–has evolved over the past decade into a giant industry encompassing manufacturing, logistics and a rapidly developing global regulatory landscape aimed at addressing concerns such as energy consumption, environmental impact, taxation, and illicit activities like money laundering.
Billions of dollars worth of mining equipment are shipped across borders annually–but under the watchful eyes of regulators who are increasingly seeking to impose licenses, permits, tax obligations, and even outright bans in some jurisdictions.
In this interview, Uminers CEO Batyr Hydyrov shared valuable insights into the complex world of crypto mining and his experience navigating a minefield of regulations and cross-border operations.
Hello Mr. Batyr, can you briefly tell us about yourself and your route to crypto mining?
Hi and thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts. My journey to crypto mining has been anything but conventional. I arrived in Beijing in 2010 to study at Beijing Language and Culture University, then continued at Sun Yat-sen University.
My early career focused on export trade: supplying Chinese-made goods to Turkmenistan through the UAsia Group, eventually scaling to furniture, construction materials, LED screens, and multi-million‑dollar contracts.
In 2017, I identified a rising demand for high-performance computing equipment. That insight led me into digital assets, and my experience in supply chains and high-capacity hardware positioned me to pivot rapidly. I began sourcing servers and mining rigs for clients in the USA, Middle East, and Singapore.
This practical exposure to both hardware logistics and global finance underscored mining’s potential. I definitely saw demand for efficiency — and that's how Uminers was born: from trade routes to global crypto infrastructure, in service of making mining accessible and accountable. And it all started with a simple lesson: China taught me nothing is impossible.
How has the crypto mining industry evolved over the years and where is it currently heading?
Crypto mining has transformed dramatically. In the early 2010s, hobbyist miners dominated, essentially enthusiasts running rigs in garages. By the late 2010s, the landscape shifted to industrial-scale operations, using optimized hardware, advanced cooling systems and enterprise-level power contracts.
Today, institutional players are entering. And zero-interest financing and scalable sustainable infrastructure reflect that shift. Looking ahead, mining is headed toward even higher efficiency: AI-driven hardware management, low-carbon power sourcing, and global diversification of data centers.
Essentially, mining is maturing into a sophisticated industrial sector, rather than a niche tech hobby.
Given its market dominance, what were the implications of the Chinese government ban on crypto mining in 2021?
China’s 2021 mining ban triggered a major shake-up. Before the ban, China accounted for around 60–70% of Bitcoin’s global hashrate. Once the ban hit, that capacity dispersed, rapidly relocating to the U.S., Kazakhstan, Canada, and parts of Europe. It led to higher operational costs in some regions — up to 2‑3x marginal cost increases — but also greater decentralization and resilience of the network.
In license-friendly regions, mining became more transparent, regulated, and grid-integrated. For firms like Uminers, it meant refocusing strategies on diversification and partnerships with local providers. Ultimately, the ban accelerated global distribution and strengthened long-term network health.
The distribution of mining equipment is a high-stakes, time-sensitive, and heavily regulated operation. How do you navigate the challenges?
Our team approaches logistics like supply-chain specialists. We structure shipments with advance customs filings, certified documentation, and pre-approved jurisdictions.
In practice we work directly with equipment manufacturers to reserve production slots, engage customs brokers early to verify harmonized tariff codes and EV duties, and keep buffer inventory in strategic hubs to absorb delays.
Scaling to 100+ countries requires local expertise. We partner with regional operations teams who understand compliance and lead-time nuances. It’s precision planning and modular execution — one shipment at a time.
Can you tell about the founding of Uminers?
Founding Uminers was a natural progression. In my earlier years, I built UAsia Group from the ground up, overseeing multi-million contracts, and learning logistical discipline.
When I saw the explosive demand for high-density computing, the problem was how to supply and host hardware globally under different rules, tariffs, and climate conditions. My international trade experience meant Uminers baked cross-border logistics, regulation, and financing into its DNA from day one.
What was the toughest cross-border hurdle you faced scaling Uminers to 100 countries and how did you overcome it?
Not all countries have clear regulations in place — whether it’s about importing mining equipment, the procedures for connecting it to the grid, or the taxation of mining activities. In many regions, electricity pricing is also inconsistent.
How do we address this? We travel directly to the country, sit down at the negotiating table with local stakeholders, and explore viable options for customs and regulatory frameworks. We also engage top regional legal experts to ensure full compliance and proper guidance.
With your recent expansion to Ethiopia, what spectacular lesson have you learned as an entrepreneur?
As an entrepreneur, this integration was challenging for me — a new continent, and mining regulations in Ethiopia are still not well-established. Because of this, we had to continuously adapt and learn how to operate in this unfamiliar environment.
Given these circumstances, we went beyond the initial timelines we had set for the launch. However, our team sees this as a valuable learning experience — one that’s essential for the company’s global expansion.
It’s a completely different culture and a new entrepreneurial landscape. Now, I understand much better how to structure operations and conduct business here in a way that avoids unnecessary delays when launching in Ethiopia.
Can you share your experience as CEO of Uminers?
Being CEO feels like conducting an orchestra. We are playing pieces across data centers in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America, each with unique ecosystems and players. My role is to interpret the score, set tempo, and ensure cohesion.
It’s intense: 24/7 geopolitical shifts, hardware cycles, electrolytic plant issues, or tariff twists can demand immediate pivot. But when teams execute across continents in concert, and you see MW go live on budget, that’s the reward. I feel accountable to both investors and the global network we’re supporting.
Any final words?
Yes. I just wanted to say that crypto mining is now about infrastructure. It’s real-world hardware, capital, and logistics. If you’re building responsibly with transparency, efficiency, and local partnership, you’re contributing to a trusted, global digital backbone.
To emerging miners I say: plan for the full stack — hardware, heat, power, compliance. Don’t chase shortcuts. And above all, treat this as industrial infrastructure, not speculative gold rush.