Microsoft bans users from mining cryptocurrencies using their services

Microsoft has introduced a ban on the mining of cryptocurrencies through their cloud services. The new rule appeared in an update to the Universal Licensing Terms for Online Services.

The document, which entered into force on December 1, applies to any service that is hosted by Microsoft. When customers host such services, they automatically agree to these rules, and therefore have no right to mine on the servers of the tech giant.

It is possible to mine cryptocurrencies on Microsoft servers, but for this you need to obtain prior written permission, which will be extremely difficult to do:

The Acceptable Use Policy has been updated to prohibit cryptocurrency mining on all Microsoft online services unless Microsoft provides written prior approval. We suggest obtaining written pre-approval from Microsoft before using Microsoft Online Services to mine cryptocurrencies, regardless of the subscription term.

Bill Gates' company is silent about the reasons for such changes, as well as about the situations in which Microsoft can give written permission to mine cryptocurrencies through their cloud services.

Hetzner came to a similar decision last month. The latter disabled over 1,000 validators from the Solana blockchain. As a result, more than 20% of staking operations were blocked.

Hetzner also announced that they are now banning cryptocurrency enthusiasts not only from mining digital assets, but also from staking them on their servers. The new rules affected not only the Solana blockchain, but also Ethereum.