Will countries ban Bitcoin mining due to environmental concerns?

[sklopan]

I'm more interested in the reason why they do it. Do they really not want to come up with an algorithm that would allow them to control these flows?

[1715419279]

1715419279

[1715419279]

1715419279

[1715419279]

1715419279

[1715419279]

1715419279

[1715419279]

1715419279

[doomloop]

Yesterday I saw that the Chinese state banned bitcoin miners in their country, but not because of environmental factors but maybe other factors so that the Chinese government concluded that bitcoin mining in their country was illegal.

I think you miss the information mate as they ban Bitcoin and any crypto activities in their country for many years, I don't think they have a plan to lift the ban.

https://www.euronews.com/next/2022/04/27/bitcoin-ban-these-are-the-countries-where-crypto-is-restricted-or-illegal2

But their issue is not about environmental concerns, it is all about failing to control Bitcoin and crypto mining. They make their own digital currency instead of having Bitcoin.

I mean they have banned crypto multiple times now, so there is really no shocking results when people mistake it. If you have been here long enough, you would know that they have banned bitcoin and related stuff maybe 10+ times already. That means we need to actually end up with seeing more news about China banning another part of crypto.

It is not like "we straight up ban anything related to crypto" at all, it is more about how they ban exchanges first, then stablecoins, then mining and what not, so each part gets banned separately, which causes drops in price. There is even conspiracy theories about them shorting before they make some news again.

[Queentoshi]

So far as I am concerned, countries will continue to ban bitcoin mining with another excuse even if solutions to the environmental concerns that they are highlighting as problems and their reasons is put forward. I think most government's do not like the idea of bitcoin in general and constantly as a result will always seek out excuses to ensure that they frustrate the growth of bitcoin. Until the opinion of the government change, temporary or permanent bans will always be a challenge to bitcoin growth through mining.

[Argoo]

Most likely, this is the case. States and their governments will always be biased against a cryptocurrency that they cannot control. Therefore, the prohibition of the mining of cryptocurrencies using the PoW algorithm is quite possible. But can this ban somehow affect bitcoin? Unlikely, given that there are only about two million bitcoins left to mine. Bitcoin will be able to function with the already issued amount of bitcoins. In addition, it is unlikely that absolutely all states will be able to make such a decision and, most importantly, control its implementation. There will always be secluded places on our planet where you can continue to mine.

[stompix]

But can this ban somehow affect bitcoin? Unlikely, given that there are only about two million bitcoins left to mine. Bitcoin will be able to function with the already issued amount of bitcoins.

Minting new bitcoins is a secondary thing, without miners you don't have confirmations, and without enough miners, you don't have security.

Luckily the price of gear is still over the top and still, revenues per TH/s are still higher than back in 2020, but if things really start to get worse, like it going around 15k you will see a lot of offline gear that can be sold for cheap to guys with not so good intentions. This is my only fear when it comes to bitcoin, and reducing the regions where power is cheap one by one also plays into a dangerous scenario as it will be less and less hash rate guarding the network.

That being said, it's funny how despite my post with the actual law being the second one on this topic 5 pages later and people still think NY is banning bitcoin mining.

[Uang_kartal]

when it comes to the environment and the waste that is left behind, does it have anything to do with electricity consumption and noise from the hardwhare generator that is turned on?
efficiency of miners is getting more and more innovations and making these miners more creative to create new things and cut equipment that is used even multi-functional.
if the developer has to close alses as a pool, vps, rdp or whatever, I don't think bitcoin can be stopped all at once..
privilege is in control and bitcoin a powerful resource.

I hope the problems in the environment will be resolved little by little. and become an effective bitcoin custodian country. although not all countries.

[Crypto2047]

Not at all/totally disagree.

[Abiky]

I do not think so but there are environmental movements being created against cryptocurrency mining.

As far as I remember, there was a similar post like this one and someone extensively replied, saying that the heat generated by cryptocurrency mining is relatively low to the point that it does not produce as a pollution perse compared to other pollutions present. Unfortunately, instead of addressing current and worse pollutions in the world, these movements are targeting cryptocurrency mining because of pure hatred.

Like what some countries have done, a miner can geographically and strategically setup their mining equipments in countries or places with a cool climate to reduce the outgoing heat. But I really doubt that countries would permanently ban cryptocurrency mining.

If Bitcoin mining brings huge taxation benefits, then it's unlikely governments will go against it due to "environmental concerns". Everything must be in the governments' own interest to avoid further obstacles/hurdles in the future. With alternative energy sources, it's likely Bitcoin mining will become greener over time. El Salvador is planning to establish a huge Bitcoin mining hub powered by Geothermal energy (volcanoes). Other countries can make use of solar and/or wind energy (even hydroelectric energy) to help contribute to the cause.

I think the "harming the environment" situation is nothing more than FUD spread out by Bitcoin haters worldwide. Banks and some millionaires could be behind this, in order to minimize Bitcoin's presence in the mainstream world. It's a good thing the pioneer cryptocurrency is decentralized or it would've already been defeated by its enemies already. Who knows if Bitcoin remains the only PoW cryptocurrency in existence within the not-so-distant future? Just my thoughts

[dataispower]

You know starting from the first time government you and I know better does not what Bitcoin to continue to exist, so any country or place mining farm is situated they will to impose force of rejection of mining processes there. Yes we know that mining of bitcoin consumed a lot energy during the processes of mining, but proven that their is a formidable tax being paid for electricity supply for mining farms of bitcoin i don't think that government is supporting the life of bitcoin because they would have allow it to be.

[Vaskiy]

You know starting from the first time government you and I know better does not what Bitcoin to continue to exist, so any country or place mining farm is situated they will to impose force of rejection of mining processes there. Yes we know that mining of bitcoin consumed a lot energy during the processes of mining, but proven that their is a formidable tax being paid for electricity supply for mining farms of bitcoin i don't think that government is supporting the life of bitcoin because they would have allow it to be.

In most of the countries the illegal mining firms have turned to be a problem. To find the same several steps have been taken, but they weren't able to come up with a solution. Because the registered miners use specific amount of electricity whereas a big leak happens with the illegal mining. This have made different countries like Iran, Turkey, to end cryptocurrency mining.

On the other side countries want their cities to be made the crypto center understanding the future of the market. Now on this race is United Kingdom. The Johnson government have made plans and we don't know how far this is gonna make changes.

[Penelope Wheeler]

It's difficult to say anything right now. However, countries such as China have already banned it due to environmental concerns.

[Reatim]

Not at all/totally disagree.

It is a question and not a  argument so give your opinion depend on how you understand the topic and not just because of the title in which obviously the only thing that you read.

It's difficult to say anything right now. However, countries such as China have already banned it due to environmental concerns.

China does banned this not because of environmental concer , but because of their Own coin to produce and introduce so that is a different thing to compare and consider.

[uneng]

Any excuse is valid to go against bitcoin for bureaucrats, so you can expect anything from them, doesn't matter how absurd it may sound. Even Wikipedia was forbidden from receiving donations in bitcoin by its own community for environmental concerns, now imagine countries which have their governments directly affected by bitcoin adoption among their citizens. That means fiat is losing territory, so are the central authorities, and of course measures will be taken to avoid this from happening.
The point is that mining isn't the issue and never was, but it's the perfect straw man which fits the purpose of creating the narrative bitcoin mining is bad and evil, therefore it must be stopped. And without mining we know there isn't bitcoin (that is the point ).

[Abiky]

Any excuse is valid to go against bitcoin for bureaucrats, so you can expect anything from them, doesn't matter how absurd it may sound. Even Wikipedia was forbidden from receiving donations in bitcoin by its own community for environmental concerns, now imagine countries which have their governments directly affected by bitcoin adoption among their citizens. That means fiat is losing territory, so are the central authorities, and of course measures will be taken to avoid this from happening.
The point is that mining isn't the issue and never was, but it's the perfect straw man which fits the purpose of creating the narrative bitcoin mining is bad and evil, therefore it must be stopped. And without mining we know there isn't bitcoin (that is the point ).

Of course. Bitcoin will always have its haters. After all, there are powerful enemies that don't want it to prosper. I'd say Bitcoin mining doesn't harm the environment as much as banks and processing plants do. Some miners rely on green energy sources to expand their profit opportunities, anyways. No matter how you see it, you cannot deny that Bitcoin's energy consumption is not put to waste. The more energy it's consumed, the stronger Bitcoin will be against external attacks. Some governments have adopted Bitcoin as legal tender despite the "environmental concerns" from naysayers. I'd say we should "turn the page" and move on to what really matters most. As long as decentralization and censorship-resistance prevails, there should be nothing to worry about. Just my opinion

[rahmad2nd]

Any excuse is valid to go against bitcoin for bureaucrats, so you can expect anything from them, doesn't matter how absurd it may sound. Even Wikipedia was forbidden from receiving donations in bitcoin by its own community for environmental concerns, now imagine countries which have their governments directly affected by bitcoin adoption among their citizens. That means fiat is losing territory, so are the central authorities, and of course measures will be taken to avoid this from happening.
The point is that mining isn't the issue and never was, but it's the perfect straw man which fits the purpose of creating the narrative bitcoin mining is bad and evil, therefore it must be stopped. And without mining we know there isn't bitcoin (that is the point ).

Of course. Bitcoin will always have its haters. After all, there are powerful enemies that don't want it to prosper. I'd say Bitcoin mining doesn't harm the environment as much as banks and processing plants do. Some miners rely on green energy sources to expand their profit opportunities, anyways. No matter how you see it, you cannot deny that Bitcoin's energy consumption is not put to waste. The more energy it's consumed, the stronger Bitcoin will be against external attacks. Some governments have adopted Bitcoin as legal tender despite the "environmental concerns" from naysayers. I'd say we should "turn the page" and move on to what really matters most. As long as decentralization and censorship-resistance prevails, there should be nothing to worry about. Just my opinion

bitcoin haters are countries. 

This issue has been widely heard and has become a global issue. according to them the impact on the environment is broadly from bitcoin mining into 2 parts (electronic waste, energy consumption) the impact that is often debated is the problem of excessive energy use and this has become illegal in some countries for miners. 
There have been many campaigns that have been launched badly for bitcoin by state bureaucracies around the world to create FUDs. 
the only problem is that bitcoins are out of their control

[Abiky]

bitcoin haters are countries. 

This issue has been widely heard and has become a global issue. according to them the impact on the environment is broadly from bitcoin mining into 2 parts (electronic waste, energy consumption) the impact that is often debated is the problem of excessive energy use and this has become illegal in some countries for miners. 
There have been many campaigns that have been launched badly for bitcoin by state bureaucracies around the world to create FUDs. 
the only problem is that bitcoins are out of their control

That's certainly true, mate. Most countries hate Bitcoin simply because it proves to be an alternative to the existing financial system powered by Fiat. They think Bitcoin will undermine their economies, leaving them behind in the dust. Countries may be complaining about Bitcoin's "harm" to the environment today, but tomorrow they will be complaining about Bitcoin's ability to be used for money laundering and tax evasion (which we all know that's not usually the case). Governments will always come up with an excuse in order to get what they want. As long as Bitcoin is put to the ground, nothing else matters.

I'd have to say it's been 13 years since BTC's inception, yet governments have been unable to shut it down completely (meaning the pioneer cryptocurrency is truly unstoppable). Who knows if Bitcoin remains as the only PoW cryptocurrency will the rest of the other coins turn to PoS? Just my thoughts

[Ummarr]

You know starting from the first time government you and I know better does not what Bitcoin to continue to exist, so any country or place mining farm is situated they will to impose force of rejection of mining processes there. Yes we know that mining of bitcoin consumed a lot energy during the processes of mining, but proven that their is a formidable tax being paid for electricity supply for mining farms of bitcoin i don't think that government is supporting the life of bitcoin because they would have allow it to be.

[AmoreJaz]

You know starting from the first time government you and I know better does not what Bitcoin to continue to exist, so any country or place mining farm is situated they will to impose force of rejection of mining processes there. Yes we know that mining of bitcoin consumed a lot energy during the processes of mining, but proven that their is a formidable tax being paid for electricity supply for mining farms of bitcoin i don't think that government is supporting the life of bitcoin because they would have allow it to be.

also, don't forget that miners are already tapping the renewable energy sources like the use of solar panels and others. big crypto mining companies are deploying their solar energy source also. i don't think government will ban btc mining if they see that it is contributing to their economy. they can treat it as just like any other industry which are using electricity.

[KennyR]

You know starting from the first time government you and I know better does not what Bitcoin to continue to exist, so any country or place mining farm is situated they will to impose force of rejection of mining processes there. Yes we know that mining of bitcoin consumed a lot energy during the processes of mining, but proven that their is a formidable tax being paid for electricity supply for mining farms of bitcoin i don't think that government is supporting the life of bitcoin because they would have allow it to be.

also, don't forget that miners are already tapping the renewable energy sources like the use of solar panels and others. big crypto mining companies are deploying their solar energy source also.

It is true that a good number of hosting service providers have moved to renewable energy sources for mining. This will cost them initially, but help with the additional spending on electricity. Apart from this, several oil companies in different countries have called for miners to set the firms close to the plant, so that wasted oil can be used to generate power for the mining purpose.

[pooya87]

You know starting from the first time government you and I know better does not what Bitcoin to continue to exist, so any country or place mining farm is situated they will to impose force of rejection of mining processes there. Yes we know that mining of bitcoin consumed a lot energy during the processes of mining, but proven that their is a formidable tax being paid for electricity supply for mining farms of bitcoin i don't think that government is supporting the life of bitcoin because they would have allow it to be.

Actually it depends on the country and their government. They are not all the same dictatorship wanting to shut down anything they cannot control. For example el Salvador government has been accepting bitcoin with open arms, if they could manage some excess electricity they would accept mining with open arms too. There are others like that too. For example the Iranian government has accepted bitcoin mining with open arms too specially since the electricity is by far the cheapest ($0.002 /KWH).