We Have to Defend Bitcoin Mining in Norway. Here is why:

In April 2024, the Norwegian government introduced a legislation to regulate data centers in a way that effectively bans Bitcoin mining in the country.

This is setting a huge precedent. So far, all attempts to ban bitcoin mining have been referred to the practices of authoritarian/dictatorial countries such as China. But in the case of Norway, this country is considered one were bitcoiners teach human rights defenders about freedom technology routinely.

A country known for defending human rights, the Nobel Peace Prize, will be also known to be against Bitcoin mining, which affects not only miners, but all users, developers and investors.

Why Norwegian policymakers want to ban Bitcoin mining:

• they "don't want cryptocurrency [Bitcoin] mining companies" since they look at them as "actors who are looking to 'shop' for cheap electricity in Norway" and "(...) businesses seeking to exploit Norway for cheap energy extraction".
• since they don't see positive uses cases of Bitcoin mining and Bitcoin in general, the want to ban it. Norwegian policymakers want to keep only data centers "to secure storage of images and communication", or "which are important to society, and the society-serving computer industry is important to Norway".

https://www.vg.no/nyheter/i/9zgyxq/regjeringen-slaar-ned-mot-krypto-datasenter-uoensket-i-norge

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bitcoin-miners-face-pressure-norway-071921322.html

Most MPs support this position and refuse to meet to discuss the issue, not only because of the misunderstanding of Bitcoin, but also because of the lack of public data, submitted to the parliament and government on why Bitcoin mining is beneficial to Norway.

We base our conclusion following Open Dialogue Foundation BTC Coalition advocacy efforts since April 2024 to educate major members of political parties across the political spectrum in Norway and contacts with local jornalists.

What can be done and what we want to organize/need your support for:

1. Urgently gathering/collecting in the written submission to the government and parliament testimonials of Bitcoin miners in Norway to confront public opinion and change narratives attacking Bitcoin mining working both locally and nationally.
2. Brining testimonials, conduct in person and public meetings about best practices of Bitcoin mining advising Norway government and inform society how they can benefit from it.