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Bitcoin uses more renewable energy, but will Tesla accept it again?

Tesla removed Bitcoin payments citing environmental concerns, but Elon Musk pledged to reinstate them if renewable energy use on the network increased.

Four years have passed since Tesla stopped accepting Bitcoin, citing environmental concerns. While the Bitcoin mining industry has reportedly increased its share of renewable energy consumption, Tesla doesn’t appear ready to return to Bitcoin payments anytime soon.

On Feb. 8, 2021, Tesla disclosed a $1.5 billion investment in Bitcoin (BTC) in a filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Tesla CEO Elon Musk also decided to include the cryptocurrency in the company’s treasury and began accepting BTC as a form of payment for the company’s electric vehicles.

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Bitcoin Closing In on Greater Move to Massive Price Target, According to Trader Who Called 2021 Market Collapse

Finland’s households turn to Bitcoin mining to heat homes

Bitcoin enthusiasts in Finland have integrated two Bitcoin mines with district heating facilities enabling heating homes while mining BTC.

A new project in Finland is turning energy from mining Bitcoin (BTC) cryptocurrency into energy to heat homes during the cold Finnish winter.

Bitcoin mining infrastructure firm Hashlabs Mining has introduced a pioneering project enabling heat generation using specially designed Bitcoin mining devices.

The project combines heat production from the hydro-cooled ASIC mining device — a WhatsMiner M63S — with the Finnish district heating system, where the heat is transferred from a centralized source through a network of insulated pipes to multiple buildings. The new project is designed to allow households to benefit from industrial BTC mining.

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Bitcoin Closing In on Greater Move to Massive Price Target, According to Trader Who Called 2021 Market Collapse

PayPal proposes ‘cryptoeconomic’ rewards for sustainable Bitcoin miners

PayPal’s Blockchain Research Group wants to designate “green miners” and reward them accordingly with additional Bitcoin.

International payments giant PayPal has proposed to make sustainable Bitcoin (BTC) mining more economically attractive by rewarding miners through incentives layered on top of the Bitcoin network.

PayPal’s Blockchain Research Group, in collaboration with Energy Web and DMG Blockchain Solutions, has proposed using “cryptoeconomic incentives” to encourage Bitcoin miners to use low-carbon energy sources, according to an April 22 blog post.

The firm hopes that the experimental incentive contributes to further discussion and innovation around Bitcoin and is seeking industry feedback on potential improvements.

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Bitcoin Closing In on Greater Move to Massive Price Target, According to Trader Who Called 2021 Market Collapse

U.S. Department of Energy Agrees To Stop Gathering Information on Crypto Mining Following Lawsuit

U.S. Department of Energy Agrees To Stop Gathering Information on Crypto Mining Following Lawsuit

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is agreeing to stop gathering data about the energy usage rates of crypto mining firms. In a new court filing, the Energy Information Administration (EIA), which tracks statistics for the DOE, says it will not only halt gathering the data, it will destroy all information it has already collected […]

The post U.S. Department of Energy Agrees To Stop Gathering Information on Crypto Mining Following Lawsuit appeared first on The Daily Hodl.

Bitcoin Closing In on Greater Move to Massive Price Target, According to Trader Who Called 2021 Market Collapse

Nic Carter, other pro-Bitcoiners fight climate impact narrative in new paper

A newly published working paper on Bitcoin mining has worked to counter claims from anti-crypto politicians that Bitcoin is melting the planet.

Bitcoin mining is a “critical tool” for clean energy and balancing the grid, according to a new working paper penned by Bitcoin advocates and the former president of ERCOT, the operator of Texas’ electrical grid. 

The Nov. 22 paper titled “Leveraging Bitcoin Miners as Flexible Load Resources for Power System Stability and Efficiency” argued that Bitcoin mining’s inherent interruptibility and swift load response capabilities could enhance grid flexibility to better integrate variable renewable energy sources.

Authors of the working paper included Castle Island Ventures partner Nic Carter, Satoshi Action Fund CEO Dennis Porter and  Science Advisor Murray Rudd, former ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas) President and CEO Brad Jones — who recently passed away, along with Executive vice president of power at Houston-based tech company Lancium, Shaun Connell.

The paper provides case studies of Bitcoin miners participating in demand response programs and providing grid services in Texas, illustrating their unique capabilities as flexible and controllable loads.

The researchers concluded that this suggests that Bitcoin miners can play an important role in demand response, “thereby bolstering both the technical and economic stability of the grid.”

Some observers on X (Twitter) pointed out that the findings of the paper contrast arguments made by anti-crypto politicians who have blamed Bitcoin miners for high energy usage and loads on grids.

In October 2022, Senator Warren and six other Democrats pressed ERCOT for information detailing how much electricity Bitcoin mining operations have consumed. She has also previously attacked New York mining firm Greenidge Generation, claiming at the time that a “crackdown on environmentally wasteful cryptocurrencies” would help fight the climate crisis.

Bitcoin mining pioneer Marshall Long tagged Senator Warren in a retweet of the paper adding “The people who RUN the grids say you’re wrong,”

The researchers concluded that the comprehensive impact of Bitcoin on global energy demand and climate change “remains complex,” but emerging data suggests “its effects might be more nuanced than conventionally believed.”

Related: Bitcoin miners seek alternative energy sources to cut costs

A recently published Cornell University study demonstrated how wind and solar projects can profit from Bitcoin mining during their pre-commercial development phases.

In July, Cointelegraph reported that Bitcoin mining was becoming more sustainable thanks to innovations such as hydro-cooling farms and associated petroleum gas. Moreover, in September it was reported that Bitcoin clean energy usage had exceeded 50%.

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Bitcoin Closing In on Greater Move to Massive Price Target, According to Trader Who Called 2021 Market Collapse

Binance to launch Thai exchange in joint venture with local energy giant

Crypto services from Binance and Gulf Energy’s joint venture, Gulf Binance, will initially be available to Thai residents on an invitation-only basis.

Binance will publicly roll out a Thailand-based crypto exchange in early 2024 via a joint venture with local energy giant Gulf Energy Development.

A Nov. 15 Stock Exchange of Thailand filing by Gulf Energy said the venture, called Gulf Binance, will initially be available on an invitation-only basis with a public rollout by early 2024, with the firm receiving Securities and Exchange Commission approval on Nov. 10.

A Binance spokesperson confirmed to Cointelegraph that the platform has initially launched as an invitation-only exchange and would give more details as information becomes available.

On May 26, Gulf Binance received digital asset operator licenses from Thailand’s Ministry of Finance, which enabled it to operate a crypto exchange regulated by the country’s SEC. At the time, Binance had planned to launch its Thai arm by Q4 2023.

Gulf Energy announces the commencement of Gulf Binance services. Source: SE

On the same day, Binance’s regional head of Asia, Europe and MENA, Richard Teng, said the exchange would harness "Gulf’s established local presence and network,” and Gulf Binance aims to show the potential of blockchain technology to local users.

Gulf Energy is one of Thailand's largest natural gas distribution companies, founded and run by Thai billionaire Sarath Ratanavadi. The company actively invests across different business verticals, including renewable power generation, infrastructure development projects and digital infrastructure businesses, among others.

Related: India, Nigeria, Thailand top Chainalysis’ 2023 Global Crypto Adoption Index

Gulf Energy invested in Binance’s United States-based arm, Binance.US. In April 2022, the firm disclosed that it invested in “Series Seed Preferred Stock issued by BAM Trading Services,” the operator of Binance.US.

Last month, Binance assisted the Royal Thai Police to seize $277 million from scammers. Following the revelation, over 3,200 victims contacted the authorities to file for compensation.

At the time, Binance’s head of financial crime compliance, Tigran Gambaryan, highlighted the company’s intent to partner with various authorities worldwide to help with “restoring the trust in the digital-asset ecosystem.”

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Bitcoin Closing In on Greater Move to Massive Price Target, According to Trader Who Called 2021 Market Collapse

Bitcoin price and energy use for mining highly correlated: UN Report

The UN scientists evaluated the activities of 76 Bitcoin mining nations during the 2020–2021 period and found that the global Bitcoin mining network consumed 173.42 Terawatt hours of electricity.

A recent study conducted by the United Nations (UN) suggested a direct correlation between the price of Bitcoin (BTC) and the energy needed for mining operations.

The UN scientists evaluated the activities of 76 Bitcoin mining nations during the 2020–2021 period and found that the global Bitcoin mining network consumed 173.42 Terawatt hours of electricity. During this timeframe, the crypto ecosystem was undergoing a bull run, and Bitcoin rallied to mark its all-time high of $69,000. The UN report highlighted:

“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.”

At the time, fossil energy sources accounted for 67% of the electricity generated for Bitcoin mining. However, crypto entrepreneurs have taken proactive measures to increase their dependence on green energy.

Hydropower satisfied over 16% of the total electricity demand of the global Bitcoin mining network, nuclear, solar and wind energy sources provided 9%, 2% and 5% respectively.

According to the UN report, the top ten Bitcoin mining nations at the time — China, USA, Kazakhstan, Russia, Malaysia, Canada, Germany, Iran, Ireland, and Singapore — together were responsible for 92–94% of the global carbon, water, and land footprint of Bitcoin.

The global push for greener alternatives to fulfil the grid demand will also help reduce the carbon footprint of Bitcoin and the crypto ecosystem.

Related: Bitcoin mining is becoming more environmentally friendly

Recently, Genesis Digital Assets Limited (GDA), a mining and data center company with over 400 megawatts (MW) of power generation worldwide, opened a new data center in Sweden running 1,900 Bitcoin mining machines, driven by the country’s burgeoning renewable energy surplus.

Christian Anders, founder of BT.CX, told Cointelegraph that Bitcoin mining is not very common due to high energy prices. However, he added:

“Sweden, Finland and Norway have a surplus of energy and negative energy prices from time to time, and primarily renewable energy in the form of hydropower in a remote location which is hard to distribute.”

In parallel, Bitcoin mining equipment manufacturers continue to deliver energy-efficient hardware. At the World Digital Mining Summit (WDMS) on Sept. 22, Bitcoin miners shared their plans to help decarbonize the crypto ecosystem.

Bitmain rolled out its efficiency-focused Antminer S21, while Nazar Khan, Terrawulf’s chief operating officer, highlighted that the roll Bitcoin rig manufacturers play “is locating our Bitcoin mining loads in places where that’s happening and how do we facilitate that decarbonization process.”

Magazine: Ethereum restaking: Blockchain innovation or dangerous house of cards?

Bitcoin Closing In on Greater Move to Massive Price Target, According to Trader Who Called 2021 Market Collapse

Binance Crypto Exchange Launches Futures Trading for Ethereum-Based Altcoin That’s Surged Over 50% in a Week

Binance Crypto Exchange Launches Futures Trading for Ethereum-Based Altcoin That’s Surged Over 50% in a Week

The world’s largest crypto exchange platform by volume is launching futures trading for one Ethereum (ETH)-based altcoin that’s jumped over 50% in a week. In a new announcement, crypto exchange Binance says that it will be launching futures contracts with up to 50x leverage for Powerledger (POWR), a decentralized energy market built on top of […]

The post Binance Crypto Exchange Launches Futures Trading for Ethereum-Based Altcoin That’s Surged Over 50% in a Week appeared first on The Daily Hodl.

Bitcoin Closing In on Greater Move to Massive Price Target, According to Trader Who Called 2021 Market Collapse

Bitcoin energy pivot achieves what ‘few industries can claim’ — Bloomberg analyst

Bitcoin's hash rate has continued to increase and yet its emissions intensity has been trending down, contrary to most other industries, Bloomberg analyst Jamie Coutts explained.

While the Bitcoin network has continued to expand over the years, the Bitcoin mining industry has yet to see a comparable increase in carbon footprint — an achievement that a Bloomberg analyst argues “few industries can claim.”

This, in turn, could drive the next wave of institutional investment.

On Sept. 20, Bloomberg crypto market analyst Jamie Coutts cited data showing that the sustainable energy mix for Bitcoin has continued to rise since 2021, and is now over 50%. This has led to the growth of emissions slowing relative to the network’s continued expansion.

“Bitcoin as a global monetary network is scaling while its carbon impact declines. Few industries can claim this achievement”

He said that the evolving relationship between Bitcoin network growth and the global push to transition from fossil fuels could “catalyze a wave of institutional and even sovereign investment capital.”

The analyst added that as energy constitutes well over 50% of mining's operational costs:

“The incentive to acquire the cheapest energy sources is contributing to the network's rising hash rate while simultaneously reducing the industry's emissions or carbon intensity.”

Energy emissions refer to the greenhouse gases and air pollutants emitted as byproducts from different energy sources and activities whereas carbon intensity measures how clean the electricity is.

On Sept. 18, Cointelegraph reported that the next generation of Bitcoin miners was focusing on alternative energy sources for efficiency.

However, the percentage of sustainable energy used in Bitcoin mining has been a point of debate, as Cambridge University's model (which hasn't been updated since January 2022) stated that mining from sustainable energy sources is just 37.6%.

Climate technology venture investor and activist Daniel Batten, however, argues that this is actually above 50%.

He said that the Cambridge figures were out because off-grid mining and methane mitigation are currently not included in its calculations.

Related: Bitcoin mining is becoming more environmentally friendly

Earlier this year, Batten reported that Bitcoin mining emissions intensity had fallen to its lowest-ever level.

Bitcoin Net Zero Emission Tracker. Source: batcoinz.com/@dsbatten

Moreover, he predicted that the Bitcoin network will become carbon neutral by December 2024.

“By 2030, the Bitcoin network is projected to mitigate 10x more emissions from the atmosphere than it produces, an astonishing achievement,” claimed Batten.

Magazine: Bitcoin is on a collision course with ‘Net Zero’ promises

Bitcoin Closing In on Greater Move to Massive Price Target, According to Trader Who Called 2021 Market Collapse

Bitcoin energy value metric puts BTC’s ‘fair value’ at $47K — Analyst

Charles Edwards of Capriole Investments says that despite the current headwinds, Bitcoin’s fair value sits at $45,000.

Bitcoin (BTC) price is trading in a frustratingly tight range between $25,500 and $26,500, leaving traders unsure of the next direction that asset could take.

However, Charles Edwards, founder of Capriole Investments, believes that Bitcoin’s current price presents a low-risk long-term buying opportunity. Edwards’ view is based on Bitcoin's production cost and energy value.

Capriole Investments energy value theory gives a fair value price of $47,200 and Edwards reiterated his bullish stance by saying that Bitcoin's production cost gives a floor price estimation of around $23,000 with a 100% hit ratio.

The trade has a risk reward ratio of 1:5, with the potential for even higher price targets but Edwards added it is based on the assumption that the rally price would stop at fair value, which it never has.”

Bullish energy value theory

Edwards proposed Bitcoin’s energy value theory in December 2019. According to the theory, the fair value of Bitcoin can be estimated by the amount of energy it takes to produce it.

The model assumes that the more work that has been put into something, the more valuable it is.

In 2023, the amount of energy spent in Bitcoin mining has been on the rise as mining companies increased their capacity and share of hashrate with the installation of new ASICs and by preparing for the upcoming halving in April 2024.

Bitcoin price chart with energy value indicator. Source: TradingView

According to Edwards, the Bitcoin energy value reflects its fair value.

Bitcoin energy value has shown a strong correlation with Bitcoin’s spot price and this suggests that the theory is at least somewhat valid. However, there are some caveats to the theory.

One limitation is that Bitcoin's energy value is not always accurate. This is because the mining energy efficiency can vary over time.

Related: Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index updated to reflect hardware distribution and hash rate increases

Additionally, the theory does not take into account other factors that can affect the price of Bitcoin, such as the market’s current demand and supply, and the steps taken by miners ahead of the halving next year.

Bitcoin looks primed for further downside

Bitcoin’s spot liquidity data on Binance indicates that buyers are looking at the $24,600 level for support. However, the bullish momentum appears to be fading as most traders are crowding around the yearly low levels and hoping that these hold.

The liquidation levels of futures orders from Coinglass shows that buyers are expecting downside to $24,600, with smaller liquidations extending toward $23,000.

Notably, the price range between $25,000 and $25,500 has the most leveraged orders in significantly high volumes, making them hot targets for traders.

Bitcoin futures liquidation heatmap. Source: Coinglass

Should the price drop up to the $23,000 level, the buyer's conviction will be tested. A drop below $23,000 would target the $21,451 and $19,549 level from 2022.

Bitcoin support and resistance levels. Source: Jarvis Labs

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

Bitcoin Closing In on Greater Move to Massive Price Target, According to Trader Who Called 2021 Market Collapse