this post was submitted on 18 Apr 2025
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cryptocurrency

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Bitcoin mines—massive computing clusters generating cryptocurrency tokens—consume vast amounts of electricity. The amount of fine particle (PM2.5) air pollution created because of their electricity consumption and its effect on environmental health is pending. In this study, we located the 34 largest mines in the United States in 2022, identified the electricity-generating plants that responded to them, and pinpointed communities most harmed by Bitcoin mine-attributable air pollution. From mid-2022 to mid-2023, the 34 mines consumed 32.3 terawatt-hours of electricity—33% more than Los Angeles—85% of which came from fossil fuels. We estimated that 1.9 million Americans were exposed to ≥0.1 μg/m3 of additional PM2.5 pollution from Bitcoin mines, often hundreds of miles away from the communities they affected. Americans living in four regions—including New York City and near Houston—were exposed to the highest Bitcoin mine-attributable PM2.5 concentrations (≥0.5 μg/m3) with the greatest health risks.

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[–] gooeyglob@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Yeah it is bad. But don't write off cryptocurrency forever because of it. Ethereum used to be Proof of Work also, but made the transition to Proof of Stake, which has basically had no issues or exploits and reduced electricity usage more than 99%. Most modern chains like SOL and BNB happily have completely abandoned the antiquated PoW mechanisms.

What crypto needs is regulation and enforcement (and a better use case than just number go up); unfortunately under Trump the US will possibly get the former, certainly not the latter.

Maybe 2027 I suppose.

[–] silentjohn@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 week ago

These many uses cases: ethereumadoption.com

Also stablecoin volume just flipped Visa.