[Laos Plans to Cease Power Supply to Cryptocurrency Mining Farms by Early 2026] Laos Deputy Minister of Energy, Chanthaboun Soukaloun, stated that Laos plans to completely stop supplying electricity to cryptocurrency mining farms by the first quarter of 2026, prioritizing the allocation of electricity resources to industries that contribute more significantly to economic growth, such as artificial intelligence data centers, metal refining, and electric vehicles. Currently, the electricity consumption of cryptocurrency mining farms has dropped by 70%, from a peak of 500 megawatts in 2021 and 2022 to approximately 150 megawatts. Soukaloun pointed out that the cryptocurrency mining industry creates limited job opportunities and contributes minimally to the economic supply chain. Although Laos initially planned to cease power supply by 2025, abundant rainfall has increased hydropower production, allowing the government to extend power supply and boost electricity exports to Thailand and Vietnam.