Kazakhstan, home to the world's second-largest (BTC) mining hashrate, is experiencing a major internet outage amid local anti-government protests.
Network data provider NetBlocks reported on Wednesday that Kazakhstan is "in the midst of a nationwide internet outage after a day of mobile internet outages and partial restrictions". Kazakhstan's normalized internet connection rate fell to 2% on Wednesday, data showed.
"This incident is likely to severely limit coverage of the escalating anti-government protests," NetBlocks noted.
According to some reports, Kazakhtelecom, Kazakhstan's largest telecommunications company, has shut down the internet across the country. Mobile phone networks were also reportedly shut down in some cities, including Almaty.
The ongoing internet outage in Kazakhstan comes after the Kazakh government resigned amid protests sparked by a sharp rise in fuel prices. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev dismissed Kazakhstan's government early Wednesday and declared a state of emergency in Almaty and surrounding provinces.
According to some analysts, the protests are also a response to the lack of democracy in the country. "Young internet-savvy Kazakhs, especially in Almaty, probably want the same freedoms as Ukrainians, Georgians, Moldovans, Kyrgyz and Armenians," said Tim Ash, emerging markets strategist at BlueBay Asset Management. , these people have also vented their dissatisfaction with the authoritarian regime for years.”
The protests have turned violent, with reports of ongoing firefights between protesters and state security agencies, including police and National Guard troops.
The recent network outage may affect the global Bitcoin hash rate. As previously reported by Cointelegraph, as of October 2021, Kazakhstan accounts for 18% of the global distribution of Bitcoin mining computing power, second only to the United States.
After the Chinese government announced a renewed ban on the cryptocurrency industry in September 2021, many Chinese bitcoin mining companies and miners are increasingly moving their services to Kazakhstan.
The entry of Steamboat Willie into the public domain has led to the creation of the Mickey meme coin, blending nostalgia with modern digital culture, while Disney continues to protect its newer intellectual properties.
BrianSei Network's SEI tokens have surged, benefiting from an increased focus on parallelized EVM and an upcoming network update.
KikyoCipher Mining strategically acquired 16,700 new miners ahead of the Bitcoin halving, aiming to expand their mining capacity in Texas. With a bullish outlook tied to the event's historical impact on Bitcoin prices, Cipher aims to emerge as a major player in the industry.
JoyThe central bank highlights global trends emphasising the need for oversight in virtual asset services, including cryptocurrencies and cryptoassets.
AlexAn investor scored a $75 million profit from a Tellor investment bought at $10 two months ago, sparking interest in their next move. Eyeing Retik Finance, they're pivoting from speculative gains to utility-driven crypto assets in their quest for sustained growth.
JoyTaiwan considers replacing traditional commemorative coins with non-fungible tokens (NFTs) for the upcoming presidential transition, a proposal initiated by former Premier Sean Chen. The unconventional idea aims to mark the occasion innovatively and environmentally friendly, sparking discussions on the intersection of tradition and technological progress.
JoyShiba Inu rises to second in trading volume on WazirX, India's top crypto exchange, surpassing major cryptocurrencies, despite recent market downturns.
BrianSouth Korea's FSC plans to limit credit card use for crypto purchases, particularly foreign transactions, to control illegal outflows and speculation, inviting public feedback.
KikyoBitcoin's stability is at risk with upcoming economic shifts and Fed rate cuts.
BrianCoinbase's Hassan Ahmed predicts significant growth in Bitcoin demand and investment with the anticipated U.S. approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs.
Kikyo