HOW MUCH POWER DOES CRYPTO USE?! Two stories: An old story and a newer story

By | 3 August 2024

PART 1, The old story

Not everything that shines is gold

It is very often like that.
For the global promotion of redemptive solutions, the world ofren places its existence in the insufficiently explored swamp of their consequences, backgrounds.

Area of crypto – mining is such one.
Many people are excited about the extra income opportunities offered by crypto mining and cryptocurrency trading. The advertising campaign promised a lot. Every time I turn on my computer and connect to the Internet, I am bombarded with ads full of promises.
Those people who have thoughts are mostly afraid of losing their money, or they know too little about crypto earning opportunities.
In short, an infinite number of offer campaigns and opportunities of the new emerging global monetary solution.

Could this solution have come to market too soon?
At least it seems so to me so.
In times of enormous global crises, it is for me difficult to imagine the development of products and services that (could) skip Environmental Impact Assessments – which is normally usually done before products enter to the market.
But maybe they didn’t let them go… In any case, it’s good that people know some facts about the environmental impacts that cause global warming to worsen.

An impressively intensive march of crypto mining in the global market, in the global monetary markets and in the global economies should in itself dictate appropriate preventive systemic adequacy assessments, which, in addition to other relevant areas, also contain and disclose environmental impacts.

But as the publications of numerous studies and articles show, the relevant research and the study of their results were again carried out later, i.e. after “the tailors had not only already cut the material for these trousers, but had already sewn them and sold them and already wears more and more customers. How wise is it to fix tailoring at this stage? True, now is better than never, but we are in the 21st century and we are trying to implement sustainable development in all areas of life, right? !

“Understanding Cryptocurrency Mining

Cryptocurrency mining is the process of verifying and adding transaction records to the public ledger known as the blockchain. This process involves solving complex mathematical problems using high-powered computers. Miners are rewarded with newly minted coins and transaction fees for their efforts.

The primary motivation for miners is to earn cryptocurrencies, which can be exchanged for fiat money or used to purchase goods and services. However, the process of mining is resource-intensive and requires significant computational power. This has led to a surge in the demand for powerful hardware and electricity.” (5)

“Energy Consumption in Cryptocurrency Mining

Cryptocurrency mining has been criticized for its high energy consumption. According to the University of Cambridge’s Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index, Bitcoin mining alone consumes more electricity than the entire countries of Argentina and Norway. The energy consumption of the entire cryptocurrency sector is estimated to be around 120 terawatt-hours per year, which is equivalent to the energy consumption of small countries like Austria or Norway.

The primary reason for this high energy consumption is the use of specialized hardware and the need for constant computation. Miners often use high-performance graphics processing units (GPUs) or application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) to solve complex mathematical problems. These devices require substantial amounts of electricity to operate, leading to increased energy usage.” (5)

Is it possible to buy Tesla car with Crypto-currenncy?

NO.* Tesla previously stated the company would accept Bitcoin payments, but retracted this option with CEO, Elon Musk, highlighting concerns about climate change due to the energy-intensive nature of Bitcoin mining. 20. jun. 2024

*Per Data from year 2021.

However, in May 2021, Musk also said:

“Cryptocurrency is good on many levels and we [Tesla] believe it has a promising future, but this cannot come at the great cost to the environment.” (Elon Musk) (3)

When Elon Musk in 2021 announced that his company Tesla will no longer sell its cars for bitcoins, he shocked the world and the crypto markets. According to him, crypto-currencies are ecologically problematic, because each transaction consumes a huge, if not unreasonable, amount of electricity.
Following this statement, many have set about calculating the cost of energy used to create the algorithms behind cryptocurrencies. The results obtained are at least quite shocking for laic “”readers”.

Please, note: The data in below DOES NOT take into account the costs of manufacturing the computers involved in “crypto-currencies mining” . Only the energy used in each transaction is taken into account.

Houston-based TRG Datacenters has published the results of its analysis:

CryptocurrencyCryptocurrency Kilowatt hour (KWh) per transaction
XRP0,0079
Dogecoin0,12
Cardano0,5479
Litecoin18,522
Bitcoin cash18,957
Ethereum62,56
Bitcoin707
(2)

In article (2), data from our country – Slovenia, which is a small EU country – was calculated for comparison. They state:
“For comparison, let’s say that in our country the average consumption of electricity per inhabitant is 18 kWh per day (the average also includes business users). This means that a single bitcoin transaction consumes as much electricity as one person consumes in forty days, one Ethereum transaction consumes the same amount of energy as one person in three days.It is worth adding that the most “cryptomining”, as much as 60 percent, is done in China, where most of the electricity is still obtained from coal-fired power plants.

If everyone did business with wasteful cryptocurrencies and made a single transaction a day, our planet would need 40 times more energy than it does now! Can we really call this a green economy?”

How Much Power Does Crypto use? The Government Wants to know

ARTICLE: How Much Power Does Crypto use? The Government Wants to know, Articble by Jon Reed, E&E News By Politico, Feb. 1, 2024

“The mining of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies uses a lot of electricity — more than many countries. Are you paying for it on your power bill?

gettyimages 1240299195 - HOW MUCH POWER DOES CRYPTO USE?!               Two stories: An old story and a newer story
Bitcoin-mining operations, like this one in Georgia photographed in 2022, use large amounts of electricity. That’s drawing the attention of the federal government, which wants more information on the industry’s impact on the energy system. Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Think if you don’t buy bitcoin, the whole cryptocurrency craze doesn’t affect you? Think again.

Globally, crypto mining uses as much electricity as the Netherlands, and all that energy use has serious climate implications. 

Beyond that, studies indicate it could be raising the price you pay for electricity.

Exactly how much energy is used to mine crypto in the US, and how it’s affecting the energy system at large, isn’t super clear. One US government agency is trying to figure that out.

The Energy Information Administration, which tracks and reports on energy use, announced it plans to start collecting data on electricity use by crypto miners in the US. In February, the agency will start surveying crypto mining companies, which will have to respond with details of their energy use.

“We intend to continue to analyze and write about the energy implications of cryptocurrency mining activities in the United States,” EIA Administrator Joe DeCarolis said in a statement Wednesday. “We will specifically focus on how the energy demand for cryptocurrency mining is evolving, identify geographic areas of high growth and quantify the sources of electricity used to meet cryptocurrency mining demand.”

Studies have shown crypto mining operations can raise the utility bills of people who live around them, but this is a relatively new and fast-changing issue. Here’s what it all means.

Crypto mining uses a lot of electricity

Anyone who writes about crypto’s energy use is obliged to compare it to a country. The University of Cambridge’s Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index estimated worldwide bitcoin mining used 121.13 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2023. The entire country of the Netherlands, with more than 17 million people, consumed 121.6 terawatt-hours in 2022, according to the International Energy Agency. 

Why so much electricity? Essentially, crypto tokens are generated by having a computer solve complicated puzzles. That requires a lot of computing power, generally done by specialized computers running calculations 24 hours a day. All those computers generate a lot of heat, which means these facilities usually have energy-intensive cooling systems.

Not all crypto tokens are quite as energy intensive as bitcoin. Ethereum made a significant change in 2022 (called the Merge) that significantly reduced its energy requirements.

For bitcoin in particular, the energy demand tends to rise when higher prices for the token itself encourages miners to produce more. After dropping well below $20,000 at the end of 2022, the price of bitcoin is now back above $40,000 — driving up demand. Cambridge’s index now estimates a year of energy demand at the current pace at nearly 165 terawatt-hours.

In a memo outlining the need for the new EIA survey, DeCarolis noted the surging price of bitcoin as a reason for more analysis of the industry’s energy use.

“At the time of this writing, much of the central United States is in the grip of a major cold snap that has resulted in high electricity demand,” he wrote. “The combined effects of increased cryptomining and stressed electricity systems create heightened uncertainty in electric power markets, which could result in demand peaks that affect system operations and consumer prices, as happened in Plattsburgh, New York, in 2018. Such conditions can materialize and dissipate rapidly.”

Why crypto’s energy consumption matters

All this power demand has ripple effects through the energy ecosystem. Consider first where the US gets its electricity. The biggest source of power is natural gas, at roughly 39% of net generation in 2022, according to the EIA. Another roughly 20% came from coal. The burning of fossil fuels like coal and natural gas for power are major contributors to climate change, and the total generation from renewable sources like wind and solar amounted to just 21.3% of US generation in 2022. 

Crypto’s growing thirst for electrical power comes amid a push for electrification across sectors in a bid to wean the world off fossil fuels. The grid also faces pressure from things like electric vehicles and all-electric heating and cooling systems.

The serious electrical demand from crypto mining can also cause fluctuations in prices, as DeCarolis noted. A study released in 2023 by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Chicago calculated crypto mining led households in upstate New York to pay an extra $88 per year in utility bills per year

While increasing demand from crypto mining can affect anyone’s electricity bills, it can have more immediate impacts if you have an electricity rate that changes with demand. In other cases, it can lead to more frequent blackouts if the grid isn’t able to meet demand.

The EIA’s justification for the survey also pointed specifically at the effects of crypto mining’s energy use during moments when the grid is under strain, such as extreme weather like winter cold snaps or summer heat waves

There are ways to insulate yourself from any changes in the energy market. One way, if you live in a state where you can choose an energy plan, is to consider longer-term, fixed-rate plans.

You can also consider getting solar panels or a home battery. Solar panels allow you to be your own electricity source, independent of prices on the market. A battery can be used to store energy when it’s cheap so you can use it when prices increase. Batteries can also provide you with power during blackouts if the grid goes down.” (1)

UN Study Reveals the Hidden Environmental Impacts of Bitcoin: Carbon is Not the Only Harmful By-product

The extraordinary rise in cryptocurrency prices over the previous decade has prompted huge investments in the cryptocurrency sector. Undeniably, digital currencies have won the faith of the world’s top investors, ranging from large corporations and tech millionaires to criminals, money launderers, and sanction busters.

Thanks to blockchain and other technological breakthroughs, digital currencies now constitute an advanced element of the world’s modern financial system. They are said to even have the potential to crush the world’s strongest currencies. 

The surge in the crypto market is comparable to the gold rush. Yet, this exciting market has a hidden dark side. Mining cryptocurrencies can have major environmental impacts on climate, water, and land, according to new research by United Nations scientists. 

Bitcoin is the most renowned and popular cryptocurrency. This motivated the UN scientists to evaluate the environmental impacts of Bitcoin across the world by looking at the activities of 76 Bitcoin mining nations during the 2020–2021 period. The results are shocking. In addition to a substantial carbon footprint, global Bitcoin mining activities have significant water and land footprints.

“Technological innovations are often associated with unintended consequences and Bitcoin is no exception,” said Professor Kaveh Madani, the Director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), who led this study. “Our findings should not discourage the use of digital currencies. Instead, they should encourage us to invest in regulatory interventions and technological advancements that improve the efficiency of the global financial system without harming the environment.”

According to study results, published by the United Nations University and Earth’s Future journal, during the 2020–2021 period, the global Bitcoin mining network consumed 173.42 Terawatt hours of electricity. This means that if Bitcoin were a country, its energy consumption would have ranked 27th in the world, ahead of a country like Pakistan, with a population of over 230 million people. The resulting carbon footprint was equivalent to that of burning 84 billion pounds of coal or operating 190 natural gas-fired power plants. To offset this footprint, 3.9 billion trees should be planted, covering an area almost equal to the area of the Netherlands, Switzerland, or Denmark or 7% of the Amazon rainforest.

During this time period, Bitcoin’s water footprint was similar to the amount of water required to fill over 660,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools, enough to meet the current domestic water needs of more than 300 million people in rural sub-Saharan Africa. The land footprint of worldwide Bitcoin mining activities during this period was 1.4 times the area of Los Angeles. 

The UN scientists report that Bitcoin mining heavily relies on fossil energy sources, with coal accounting for 45% of Bitcoin’s energy supply mix, followed by natural gas (21%). Hydropower, a renewable energy source with significant water and environmental impacts, is the most important renewable source of energy of the Bitcoin mining network, satisfying 16% of its electricity demand. Nuclear energy has a considerable share of 9% in Bitcoin’s energy supply mix, whereas renewables such as solar and wind only provide 2% and 5% of the total electricity used by Bitcoin. 

China, by a large margin, has been the biggest Bitcoin mining nation. To offset the carbon emissions from China’s coal-intensive Bitcoin mining operations in 2021–2022, about 2 billion trees should be planted, covering an area equivalent to the sum of Portugal and Ireland or 45,000 times the area of Central Park in New York City. Aside from China, the world’s top 10 Bitcoin mining nations in 2020–2021 included the United States, Kazakhstan, Russia, Malaysia, Canada, Germany, Iran, Ireland, and Singapore.

“Because countries use different sources of energy to generate electricity, their electricity production impacts on climate, water, and land are not the same,” said Dr. Sanaz Chamanara, the lead author of the study and an Environmental, Social and Governance (EGS) Research Fellow at UNU-INWEH. “The rankings of countries in terms of the environmental impacts of their Bitcoin operations change depending on which environmental footprint is considered.” 

Norway, Sweden, Thailand, and the United Kingdom are among the countries that make it to the top 10 list when the water or land footprint of their Bitcoin mining activities is taken into account.  Together, the top 10 Bitcoin mining countries in terms of environmental footprint are responsible for 92–94% of Bitcoin’s global carbon, water, and land footprints. 

The UN scientists make a range of recommendations regarding possible interventions by the governments to monitor and mitigate the environmental impacts of cryptocurrencies. They also suggest investment in other types of digital currencies that are more efficient in terms of energy use and less harmful to the environment. The investigation also calls for attention to the transboundary and transgenerational impacts of mining cryptocurrencies. “When you note which groups are currently benefiting from mining Bitcoin and which nations and generations will suffer the most from its environmental consequences, you can’t stop thinking about the inequity and injustice implications of the unregulated digital currency sector,” said Madani.

In Brief

  • The cryptocurrency sector provides valuable opportunities and benefits, but has major, overlooked environmental impacts.
  • Bitcoin, the most popular cryptocurrency, has concerning impacts on climate, water, and land.
  • Bitcoin price and energy use for Bitcoin mining are highly correlated.
  • A 400% increase in Bitcoin’s price from 2021 to 2022 triggered a 140% increase in the energy consumption of the worldwide Bitcoin mining network. 
  • China was the world’s top Bitcoin miner in 2020–2021, followed by the USA, Kazakhstan, Russia, Malaysia, Canada, Germany, Iran, Ireland, and Singapore.
  • In addition to the top 10 Bitcoin mining nations, Sweden, Norway, Singapore, and the UK are among the world’s top contributors to the carbon, water, and land footprints of Bitcoin. 
  • 67% of the electricity consumed for Bitcoin mining in 2020–2021 was produced from fossil energy sources.
  • As the primary energy source for Bitcoin mining, coal provided 45% of the overall electricity used for Bitcoin mining globally during the 2020¬–2021 period.
  • Bitcoin mining emitted over 85.89 Mt of CO2 during the 2020–2021 period.
  • The greenhouse gas emissions of Bitcoin mining alone could be sufficient to push global warming beyond the Paris Agreement’s goal of holding anthropogenic climate warming below 2 degrees Celsius.
  • The top ten Bitcoin mining nations are together responsible for 92–94% of the global carbon, water, and land footprint of Bitcoin.
  • To offset the CO2 emissions of Bitcoin mining in 2021–2022, 3.9 billion trees must be planted, taking up an area equivalent to the size of the Netherlands, Switzerland, or Denmark, or 7% of the Amazon rainforest.
  • China’s coal-intensive Bitcoin mining produced more than 41 Mt CO2eq in 2020–2021. 
  • Just to offset the carbon footprint of China’s Bitcoin mining operations in 2020–2021, about 2 billion trees are needed, taking up an area equivalent to the sum of Portugal and Ireland or 45,000 times the area of New York’s Central Park.
  • Hydropower, an energy resource with major water and environmental impacts, is the main renewable energy source of electricity for Bitcoin, satisfying over 16% of the total electricity demand of the global Bitcoin mining network.
  • Nuclear energy provides 9% of the total electricity used for Bitcoin mining globally.
  • Only 2% and 5% of the total electricity used for mining Bitcoin came from solar and wind energy sources, respectively.
  • The global water footprint of Bitcoin mining in 2020–2021 was 1.65 km3, exceeding the domestic water use of over 300 million people in rural sub-Saharan Africa.
  • The land footprint of the global Bitcoin mining network in 2020–2021 was more than 1,870 square kilometers — 1.4 times the area of Los Angeles.
  • China’s share in Bitcoin mining dropped from 73% (2020) to 21% (2022) due to the government’s interventions, while the shares of the United States and Kazakhstan increased by 34% and 10%, respectively.
  • Countries with low electricity prices, like Kazakhstan, where electricity price is three times cheaper than that in the US, are Bitcoin mining heavens providing major financial incentives for Bitcoin mining that is heavily reliant on non-renewable energy sources.
  • Urgent regulatory intervention and technological breakthroughs are needed to mitigate the environmental impacts of the digital currency sector, which is rapidly growing.
Environmental impact bitcoins 1 1024x582 - HOW MUCH POWER DOES CRYPTO USE?!               Two stories: An old story and a newer story

Cryptocurrency mining and its environmental impact

The high energy consumption of cryptocurrency mining has raised concerns about its environmental impact. Some of the key concerns include:

1. Carbon Emissions: The energy required for cryptocurrency mining often comes from non-renewable sources like coal and natural gas. The burning of these fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change and air pollution.

2. Water Usage: Mining operations require significant amounts of water for cooling purposes, particularly in regions with hot climates. This can lead to water scarcity issues, especially in areas where water resources are already limited.

3. Waste Generation: The rapid advancement of mining hardware results in frequent replacements and upgrades, leading to a significant amount of electronic waste. Disposing of these devices responsibly can be challenging, as they contain hazardous materials like lead, mercury, and cadmium.” (5)

REACTIONS AND ACTIONS FROM THE OTHER SIDE

“The Discussion Regarding Cryptocurrency Mining’s Effect on the Environment

A contentious discussion about cryptocurrency mining’s environmental impact has emerged among professionals, activists, and stakeholders. Cryptocurrency proponents contend that the energy used in mining is acceptable because it offers a safe and decentralized method for confirming transactions on the blockchain.

On the other side, detractors contend that mining cryptocurrencies has an excessively negative impact on the environment and that more needs to be done by the sector to lessen its carbon footprint. Alternative mining techniques, such as ‘proof of stake’, which uses fewer resources and less energy, have been advocated by some.

Environmental activists have expressed concern about how mining cryptocurrencies is affecting ecosystems and people. Land use changes and habitat damage can result from mining, which can also have a severe impact on the quality of the air and water. To make sure that mining operations are carried out in a way that is environmentally sustainable, some have asked for increased regulation of the sector.

Combating the Environmental Effects of Cryptocurrency Mining

The effects of cryptocurrency mining on the environment are now being addressed. To power their mining operations, several corporations are looking into alternative energy sources including renewable energy. Others are looking into alternate mining techniques, such as proof of stake, which uses fewer resources and less energy.

The environmental effects of cryptocurrency mining are being addressed by governments and regulators. To reduce excessive energy use, some nations have imposed taxes or fines on cryptocurrency mining. Others have put rules or guidelines in place to guarantee that mining operations are carried out in a way that is environmentally responsible.

Settling the Energy Expenditure Debate

Cryptocurrency mining has been the subject of intense debate in recent years, particularly with regard to its impact on the environment. Some critics argue that the energy consumption required for mining is unsustainable and damaging to the planet, while others argue that the benefits of cryptocurrency outweigh the costs. However, the reality is that the discussion surrounding the environmental impact of cryptocurrency mining may essentially be futile, as it is incredibly hard to definitively decide what is worthy of having more or less energy expenditure.

To understand why, it is important to consider the broader context of energy consumption and its relationship to human activity. All human activity requires energy, whether it is the production of goods and services, the operation of transportation networks, or the provision of healthcare and education. Moreover, different activities require different amounts of energy, depending on their complexity, scale, and geographic location. In this sense, it is impossible to draw a clear line between ‘acceptable’ and ‘unacceptable’ levels of energy consumption, as this is ultimately a subjective judgment.

Furthermore, the energy consumption required for cryptocurrency mining is not unique in its potential environmental impact. Many other industries and activities, from manufacturing to agriculture to transportation, have significant energy requirements that can have negative effects on the environment. Yet, we do not engage in the same level of debate and scrutiny about these activities as we do about cryptocurrency mining. This raises questions about the fairness and consistency of the current discourse on the environmental impact of cryptocurrency mining.

it is important to consider the value that blockchain technology brings. Blockchain technology has the potential to revolutionize many industries, from finance to healthcare to supply chain management. Its decentralized nature provides greater security and transparency, which could lead to increased efficiency and reduced costs. Additionally, blockchain technology has the potential to improve the lives of millions of people by increasing financial inclusion and providing greater access to important services.

Therefore, it is important to view the environmental impact of cryptocurrency mining in relative terms, considering the value that blockchain technology brings to the table. If people value the technology, then the expenditure required for mining is certainly justified.

It is also worth noting that the environmental impact of cryptocurrency mining is not a static phenomenon. As technology improves and becomes more energy-efficient, the energy requirements for mining will likely decrease. Moreover, the emergence of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, may offer new opportunities for sustainable cryptocurrency mining. These developments suggest that the current debate about the environmental impact of cryptocurrency mining may be premature, as it is based on an incomplete understanding of the potential for technological innovation and environmental sustainability.” (6)

Conclusion

“Cryptocurrency mining has revolutionized the financial landscape, offering new opportunities for investment and transactions. However, the environmental impact of this process cannot be overlooked. The high energy consumption, predominantly from non-renewable sources, contributes to carbon emissions and exacerbates climate change. Additionally, the significant water usage for cooling purposes and the generation of electronic waste pose further challenges to our environment.

As the popularity of cryptocurrencies continues to grow, it is crucial for the industry to address these environmental concerns. Investing in renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and implementing responsible e-waste management practices can help mitigate the negative impact of cryptocurrency mining. Furthermore, regulatory bodies should encourage sustainable practices and promote transparency in the sector to ensure a greener future for both the digital currency ecosystem and our planet.(6)

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A green cryptocurrency must maintain the integrity of the blockchain
while being energy efficient and minimising
the carbon footprint.

Sustainability is increasingly becoming a central criterion for the future of the blockchain industry. Achieving a cryptographic mechanism that is not only effective, but also efficient is essential to further expand the use of blockchain-based cryptocurrencies. To analyse the energy efficiency of a particular cryptocurrency, it is necessary to inspect its process of creating and maintaining blocks of information: how the users of that currency have agreed to record and validate the information contained in each block of the distributed database. 

Almost all of the most popular cryptocurrencies – such as Bitcoin, the original cryptocurrency created in 2009 – are produced through mining. This is precisely the process that the new green cryptocurrencies want to rethink in order to reduce their disproportionate energy consumption. An inefficient energy expenditure, with its associated greenhouse gas emissions, opposed to the founding purpose of digital currencies to create a more accessible, fair and sustainable system than traditional government-controlled currencies. 

Emerging green cryptocurrencies are based on new mechanisms that reduce the carbon footprint of blockchain technology. Many of these aspects can also be applied to existing, more polluting cryptocurrencies, in search of solutions towards greater sustainability. This is the case of Ethereum – the system behind most non-fungible tokens (NFT) – which plans to reduce its energy consumption by 99.5% by relying on a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism.

While it is a challenge to add the attribute of sustainability to the complex balance that cryptocurrencies pursue between decentralisation, security and scalability, experts suggest some keys to greening a cryptocurrency:

2083572b c7c4 e7f1 e018 5572afaecb1a?t=1641290308794 - HOW MUCH POWER DOES CRYPTO USE?!               Two stories: An old story and a newer story | Transition to renewable energies

It is an obvious first response to correct the carbon emissions figures generated in the cryptocurrency industry. In 2021, less than 40% of the bitcoins verified by Proof of Work were mined with renewable energy sources. This is why numerous start-ups have emerged with different proposals to address this gap. 

d3b3078c f194 20ff 0d9b d1cd779ca548?t=1641290307962 - HOW MUCH POWER DOES CRYPTO USE?!               Two stories: An old story and a newer story | From the Proof of Work to the Proof of Participation

The Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism requires miners to advance a small amount of cryptocurrencies to enter a lottery where they opt to be assigned transactions to verify. This lowers the risk of them approving fraudulent transactions, while eliminating the competitive computational element of Proof-of-Work, allowing each machine to work on a different problem and optimising the energy consumed.

b2cc5c96 c2b8 2b87 6ee2 1cf3ba613912?t=1641290307587 - HOW MUCH POWER DOES CRYPTO USE?!               Two stories: An old story and a newer story | Integrating “pre-mining”

Pre-mining works in a similar way to fiat currencies or company shares: a central authority creates a certain amount of the good in question, in this case cryptocurrencies, and puts it into circulation according to its global and business context. In these systems, transactions are still verified by a decentralised network of miners before being added to the blockchain registry, although users involved in the transaction may have to pay them a small fee to compensate for this work.

4816df4c 3549 b7da 8578 f53fd9a6df13?t=1641290307095 - HOW MUCH POWER DOES CRYPTO USE?!               Two stories: An old story and a newer story | Introducing carbon credits

The application of state carbon credits for cryptocurrency mining companies could lead to them buying carbon credits from other companies, helping to offset the amount of emissions created globally, or switching to greener energy in order to sell their own credits

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Sources and references:

(1) How Much Power Does Crypto Use? The Government Wants to Know. By Jon Reed, E&E News By Politico, Feb. 1, 2024

(2) How are cryptocurrencies destroying nature?/ Kako kriptovalute uničujejo naravo? Article by Sanja Lončar. Published: Zazdravje.net

(3) Content under link from post from X platform

(4) UN Study Reveals the Hidden Environmental Impacts of Bitcoin: Carbon is Not the Only Harmful By-product. Article, published in https://unu.edu/press-release/

(5) Cryptocurrency mining and its environmental impact, by “slapmeme”. Article, Publish: Medium.com, Apr 5, 2024

(6) What are green cryptocurrencies and why are they important? Published on Iberdrola.com

Please, NOTE:
In Majda Ortan’s texts, I only state my personal reflections and my personal views. Dear readers, please take this into account! Thank you!

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