Scientists Stunned: Bitcoin Miners Are Greener Than You (Probably)

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If you’ve ever worried that every Bitcoin transaction means a penguin bursting into flames in Antarctica, well, here’s a crumb of comfort—and possibly a full-on crouton. The University of Cambridge has released a new study revealing, with something approaching academic astonishment, that over half of all Bitcoin mining now runs on what they describe as “sustainable energy.” That’s right: somewhere, a crypto miner flips a switch and a solar panel sighs with relief. 🪫🔋

Among all the regions teeming with miners—picture a swarm of digital gold-diggers—North America stands out for having the lowest carbon footprint. Apparently, they’re so virtuous in the US and Canada that when you start a Bitcoin rig in Toronto, a bald eagle nods in approval.

The researchers note there are ongoing attempts to make mining less of an environmental headache. This all begs the question: will this greening of Bitcoin sway the masses, or is the world still unconvinced that you can save the planet while mining fictional coins on a graphics card the size of a family sedan? Stay tuned, because even the study can’t predict that.

Bitcoin: Not Just Burning Through Power Anymore

Diving into the numbers—which is more fun than it sounds (barely)—the Cambridge boffins found that sustainable sources now serve up a hearty 52.4% of mining’s juice. So if you thought every Bitcoin was personally stamped by a carbon-spewing coal plant, you may need another metaphor.

Of the eco-friendly flavors, hydropower splashes down with 23.4%. Wind, nuclear, and solar make up the rest—15.4%, 9.8%, and 3.2%—proving that somewhere out there, a miner is waiting for the sun to come out so he can buy a pizza in Bitcoin. 🍕☀️

Let’s not forget the stubborn fossil fuels, though: they’re still responsible for 47.6% of the hash rate’s diet—mostly natural gas (38.2%), with coal trailing at 8.9% and oil bringing up the rear at a rather sad 0.5%. Let’s call oil the decaf coffee of crypto mining: present but rarely anyone’s first choice.

North America remains top dog, crowing over 80% of all sustainable Bitcoin mining. Somewhere, a midwestern data-center manager is surely polishing his solar panels with pride.

Global Bitcoin mining activity distribution by country. Source: jbs.cam.ac.uk

Cambridge, in its unflappable British way, hopes the publication will provide fun bedtime reading for policymakers, keen to wrap their heads around the glorious mess that is the digital mining ecosystem. It’s got technical bits, market twists, and just enough environmental angst to keep things spicy.

So, Will Musk Buy a Tesla With Bitcoin? (Asking for a Friend)

Back in 2021, Tesla got everyone hot under the collar by announcing it’d take Bitcoin as payment, then left those same collars cold by promptly backtracking. Elon Musk said the environmental impact was too much for his taste, which—given his penchant for rocket launches and doge memes—says a lot.

He did say he’d reconsider if half of all mining went green. Well, that box is ticked, Elon. But so far, his Twitter/X feed remains oddly silent on the topic. Maybe he’s waiting for “proof of sustainable latte art” before giving it the green light. ☕🚗

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2025-04-29 19:39