Written approval from Microsoft for cryptocurrency mining

 Written approval from Microsoft for cryptocurrency mining

Cloud computing giant Microsoft is

taking measures to increase the stability of its cloud services by imposing new restrictions on activities such as cryptocurrency mining.

The UK technology news agency :

The Register reported on :

Microsoft discreetly stopped allowing cryptocurrency mining on December 15 in order to better safeguard its users and the cloud.

The company introduced the new restrictions as part of the global licensing requirements for Microsoft's online services.

Microsoft updated its usage policy on December 1 to clarify that "cryptocurrency mining is prohibited without the prior approval of Microsoft."

In the "Acceptable Use Approach" section

• Microsoft announced that consumers must now

• Obtain the Company's Prior Written Consent in

• in order to mine cryptocurrencies using any of Microsoft's online services.

Microsoft reported that the latest encrypted mining restrictions aim to protect online services from risks such as cyber fraud, attacks and unauthorized access to customers' resources, stating:

We have made this change to

1. further protect our customers
2. and reduce the risk of disruption
3. or impairment of services at Microsoft Cloud.

The company also reportedly indicated that it might consider obtaining permission to mine cryptocurrencies for test and search purposes for security detection purposes.

Microsoft did not immediately respond to

Quintelegraph's request for comment.

Microsoft Online Services is Microsoft hosting software offerings and is a component of the company's software as a service strategy.

These services include :

Microsoft's Azure Cloud Computing Network

• This is recognized as providing cryptocurrency mining on

• certain subscription types. As previously reported

• Additionally, Microsoft tested out blockchain services on Azure.

however in September of last year

the Azure Blockchain Service project was unceremoniously terminated.

According to some reports

Due to ongoing supply chain issues, Microsoft's cloud computing services have recently experienced severe capacity limitations.

More than six Azure data centres are expected to

remain limited until early 2023.

By adopting the new restrictions

• Microsoft joins many other cloud computing providers

• including Google, which also prohibits customers from

• mining cryptocurrencies without first receiving Google's approval in writing.

Other platforms, like Oracle, have outright outlawed cloud mining, while Digital Ocean also demands formal authorization.

Cloud mining is

an alternative way to invest in cryptocurrencies

allowing users to mine cryptocurrencies without using mining equipment or devices, relying on a remote data center with shared processing capacity.

According to the blockchain research group

cloud mining is one of the most profitable ways of mining cryptocurrencies because it does not require customers to pay for related equipment and costs.

The news :

comes amid a cryptocurrency mining crisis that is in a major crisis linked to the current winter of cryptocurrencies, with some miners on the brink of bankruptcy due to lack of funds.