Bitcoin Mining Risks!
No new venture is risk-free, of course. Since miners are paid in Bitcoin, the price volatility is a major revenue risk. The operating risks include factors like potential problems with internet connectivity, overheating ASICs, and system hacks—though given the size and security of the Bitcoin network, hacking risk remains low.
Top of mind should be the availability and reliability of electricity. Because power is so central to this operating model, miners need to look very closely at the redundancy of their supply. While Texas has emerged as a center for the industry, there are significant questions about the vulnerability of its power grid that potential investors should consider.
The regulatory environment also poses a potential risk, as miners in China and other countries have been learning. Even countries that were previously welcoming to miners, such as Kazakhstan and Iceland, have begun to curtail new and existing mining operations in order to manage demand on their energy grids. A number of US state governments like Texas’ have embraced Bitcoin mining, with some going so far as to offer incentives to producers. But the US federal government is paying closer attention to the industry now, with new tax reporting requirements set to begin in 2023 and heightened scrutiny from the Federal Reserve into crypto’s risks to consumers, banks, and the overall financial system.
Because crypto regulations in both the US and around the world are still very fluid, miners need to remain vigilant and watch for changes that could undermine their bottom lines.
Bitcoin mining’s energy demands result in another concern: the environmental impact of mining, which carries both ethical and reputational risks. The crypto industry has been subject to withering criticism for its carbon footprint. The New York Times recently equated the total power consumed by Bitcoin annually to what’s used by Finland in one year. The fact is that even the most efficient Bitcoin mining operation takes roughly 155,000 kWh to mine one Bitcoin. By way of comparison, the average US household consumes about 900 kWh per month.
Climate is not a niche issue any more. According to a recent Deloitte report, reducing carbon emissions is now essentially a universal priority, and brands are responding. In May 2021, Tesla, which had been a major investor in Bitcoin, announced it would suspend purchases using Bitcoin due to environmental concerns. The company has since said it would resume accepting Bitcoin once it could confirm that at least 50% of Bitcoin mining operations used renewable sources.
The crypto industry has begun to respond as well. Many of the larger producers are committing to transitioning to renewable energy, either through direct purchases or by acquiring carbon credits. Companies such as Great American Mining and Crusoe Energy have also developed ways for mining farms to utilize power that would otherwise be wasted, like flared natural gas at oil fields, excess solar or wind power that can’t be stored, or hydropower generated by overflows from dams.This strategy is only effective, of course, as long as crypto mining doesn’t increase demand in the process.
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