China proposes adding cryptocurrency mining to 'negative list' of industries

Industries not on the list are open for investment to all with no approvals required

A representation of Bitcoin cryptocurrency is seen amid China's flags in this illustration picture taken September 27, 2021

China has added cryptocurrency mining to a draft list of industries in which investment is restricted or prohibited, although it reduced the number of sectors on the list overall, a document released by the state planner showed on October 8.

The so-called 'negative list' details sectors and industriest hat are off-limits to both Chinese and foreign investors.

Regulators in

China banned cryptocurrency trading and mining this year , with the country's central bank vowing to purge "illegal" cryptocurrency activities last month. The crackdown has prompted cryptocurrency exchanges to cut ties with Chinese users.

The draft 2021 list of industries in which investment is either restricted or prohibited has been cut to 117, the National Development and Reform Commission said, down from 123 in 2020.

Industries not on the list are open for investment to all with no approvals required.