After doing its best to effectively eliminate its industrial crypto mining sector, China is now targeting smaller players: internet cafés, PC gaming room operators, and even those mining on rigs and cards from their bedrooms.
Like many nations throughout Asia, China has a thriving PC gaming culture. The bulk of these players can be found in PC gaming rooms, which essentially function as pay-per-hour gaming lobbies. These are typically outfitted with high-spec computers equipped with powerful GPUs and fast processors.
According to a report:
“authorities in the city of Lau’an stated that they would step up “enforcement” of crypto-related decrees and engage in the “supervision of PC rooms,” as well as “promptly stop virtual currency mining activities in Internet cafes and further promote energy conservation and emission reduction.”
The government has given provinces and cities the authority to enforce the policy, and police officers have appeared on WeChat groups of PC room owners to warn them of the dangers of non-compliance.
According to the media report, broadband access was "monitored" in the case of individuals suspected of mining tokens from home by internet providers.
Internet service providers have been told they can (or should) "directly disconnect" crypto miners from networks.
Web hosting companies have also been instructed to block mining pool domain names.
Regardless, some appear willing to defy Beijing, with the media outlet noting that "some PC room businesses" are still involved in mining, and "some businesses" are still "engaged in the business of" trading mining hardware.
