Daniel

Introduction We are at an inflection point in Bitcoin mining history. Policy decisions made now will have far-reaching consequences. So it is more important than ever that these decisions are based on robust, complete, and up-to-date data. The Bitcoin Mining Council (BMC) reports that the Bitcoin network uses 59.4% zero-emission* power sources. In contrast, the […]

Setting the Scene You have probably heard about Bitcoin by now. Whether what you have heard makes sense, or is accurate is less certain. Whatever understanding you come with, I invite you to put that to one side so we can start at the bottom, to understand why Bitcoin was invented, what problem it solves

Executive Summary: 291.9 MW of power from vented carbon negative sources such as landfill gas would make the entire Bitcoin network carbon neutral. To put in context how achievable this is: if Bitcoin mining companies focused on using previously vented sources of methane emissions (such as: vented landfill gas) it would take only 35 landfills

Executive Summary: By an order of magnitude, using vented methane as a power source is the most carbon negative fuel source. Of different vented sources, landfills are the most economically viable source. Wastewater methane can be repurposed to run power-hungry waste-water treatment plants, but landfills are isolated and generally the grid infrastructure is inadequate to

Note: this is a dynamic report that gets updated as new data on new carbon negative Bitcoin mining, new carbon-neutral Bitcoin mining, miner efficiency (avg J/TH) and new estimated total Bitcoin network energy consumption becomes available. Current statistics may vary from those previously reported. Last updated: 21 July 2023 Introduction The Bitcoin Mining Council has

Bitcoin mining might not be the great evil we have been led to believe it is. Since the China-ban, the Bitcoin Mining council reports a significant rise in the use of renewable energy. In some quarters, they have been questioned due to the fact it relies on self-reported data. To avoid this criticism, I decided to do

Introduction: Previously, we published research showing that Bitcoin mining had the potential to reduce 0.15°C of global warming by 2045. This article is the sequel to that research. Because UNEP has declared that we must reduce methane levels 40-45% by 2030, we investigate how much Bitcoin mining can contribute to that goal. UNEP also stated

Daniel Batten Peer Review: Executive Summary Using Bitcoin mining to combust leaking methane sources can eliminate 5.32% of all global emissions by 2045. This represents 23% of all global methane emissions: more than half the UNEP’s targeted reduction of methane of 45% by 2045. That means that Bitcoin mining has the potential to avoid nearly

Bitcoin isn’t the great evil we have been led to believe. Until you’ve looked deeply into something, you’re not in a position to judge it, says Daniel Batten. John Lennon once said, “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” I remembered this line today when I recalled the plans I was making for this

By using methane produced from landfills and oil fields that would otherwise be flared, bitcoin mining can help reduce 0.15°C of global warming 2022 has changed everything that we in the environmental, social and governance (ESG) sector thought we knew about Bitcoin. We thought it was a net negative for the environment. We could not