En+ entities are engaged in legal battles with Russian data center operator BitRiver, seeking over 1.21 billion rubles in two separate cases, according to Kommersant.
In late April, the Arbitration Court of the Irkutsk Region granted a claim by “Infrastructure of Siberia” (part of En+) to recover 954.4 million rubles from GC “Fox,” which owns 49% of UK “BitRiver.” As part of the dispute, the defendant’s funds and equipment have been seized, preventing their use. The equipment is pledged to the plaintiff to ensure the fulfillment of supply obligations.
Another En+ entity, “Bit+,” demands 256.7 million rubles from “BitRiver Rus.” An arrest has also been placed on the defendant’s accounts within this amount. According to the Federal Tax Service, operations on the accounts of “BitRiver Rus” and LLC “Stroyservice Plus,” which owns 49% of UK “BitRiver,” have been suspended.
In April, the registry of legally significant information published a notice from the collection agency “ID Collect” about its intention to file for the bankruptcy of “Stroyservice Plus.”
The Essence of the Claims
BitRiver owns 15 data centers with a total capacity of over 533 MW, housing more than 175,000 pieces of equipment.
In 2020, En+ Group and BitRiver established a joint venture, “Bit+.” The former was responsible for supplying electricity to the Bratsk site, while the latter managed its operations. According to EGRUL, BitRiver exited the project in April 2025, transferring 20% to En+. The latter became the sole founder of “Bit+.”
As explained by “Infrastructure of Siberia,” they entered into a contract with GC “Fox” for the supply of equipment and made an advance payment. Not receiving the devices, they terminated the deal and sued to recover the advance and claim penalties for the delay.
BitRiver’s Position
BitRiver’s owner and CEO, Igor Runets, asserts that the equipment was delivered and GC “Fox” is appealing the court’s decision. According to him, one aspect of the dispute with En+ involves the shutdown of BitRiver’s mining data centers in December last year in northern Irkutsk Region.
“Today they are operating normally, but the shutdowns in December caused significant losses to several group companies, including ‘BitRiver Rus’ and ‘Stroyservice Plus,’ which we also plan to recover from En+ through legal proceedings,” stated Runets.
Additionally, the FAS is investigating potential violations of competition law by the Irkutsk Electric Grid Company, part of En+.
Kommersant, citing sources, writes that BitRiver should have the funds to cover the entire amount of the claims. In 2024, “BitRiver Rus” revenue grew by 9.9% to 10.28 billion rubles, and net profit increased by 71.1% to 202.21 million rubles. According to BitRiver, the group’s total revenue in 2024 exceeded 17 billion rubles.
Igor Runets emphasized that BitRiver’s financial position is stable and all equipment in the data centers is operational. No enforcement measures are applied to GC “Fox,” and “Stroyservice Plus” continues its operations without difficulties, he added.
Threat to Scaling
In a comment to ForkLog, Roman Zabuga, CEO and co-owner of Argentine data center operator Dimalessi S.R.L., stated that the energy companies’ claims might be justified, but “before En+, all similar conflicts were resolved amicably.”
According to him, Oleg Deripaska’s entities are BitRiver’s main energy partners.
“It is unlikely that En+’s withdrawal from partnerships means the operator will lose all business in the country. However, it is quite likely that scaling the business in such partnerships will no longer be possible for Russia’s largest mining infrastructure operator,” noted Zabuga.
He stressed that the previously announced construction of a DPC with the RDIF in BRICS countries is “unfeasible,” as due to US sanctions, the BitRiver group is on the “black” lists of most countries.
“Options outside Russia include Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Vietnam, and Mongolia. The latter involves supplying eco-fuel (hydrogen, methane) to Europe, where German entities are actively working. Whether there is room for a sanctioned company is a big question,” Zabuga speculates.
Despite En+ purchasing mining equipment, neither it nor its affiliated companies are legally allowed to mine, the expert added.
According to the mining law adopted in Russia, combining cryptocurrency mining with activities in the electricity sector is not permitted.
“Further questions arise, answers to which may lead to conspiracy theories involving business nationalization. This is not good for BitRiver or other market participants,” concluded Zabuga.
Back in April 2022, the US Treasury imposed sanctions against the BitRiver group. It was reported that this move was to prevent Russia from potentially circumventing sanctions through mining.
Soon after, Japanese SBI Holdings, the parent company of miner SBI Crypto, ceased cooperation with the Russian data center operator.
From January 2023 to early October 2024, BitRiver, in collaboration with oil and gas companies, converted over 150 million cubic meters of associated petroleum gas (APG) into electricity for bitcoin mining.
The operator claimed that Russia has the potential to displace the US as the leader in bitcoin mining due to its own generation and use of APG.