The Energy Information Agency is starting the process to require cryptocurrency miners to submit energy consumption data after a previous attempt faced legal challenges.
I wouldn’t consider cryptocurrency an industry. At best, it’s unregulated stocks whose value is backed by speculation. At worst, it’s a waste of resources and a low-risk way for malware authors to profit off of victims.
Don’t get me wrong, though. AI is also deserving of the same treatment.
Note that the second-largest cryptocurrency, Ethereum, no longer uses proof-of-work to validate its chain. So any regulations or data on electricity usage will be basically irrelevant to it.
I wouldn’t consider cryptocurrency an industry. At best, it’s unregulated stocks whose value is backed by speculation. At worst, it’s a waste of resources and a low-risk way for malware authors to profit off of victims.
Don’t get me wrong, though. AI is also deserving of the same treatment.
Note that the second-largest cryptocurrency, Ethereum, no longer uses proof-of-work to validate its chain. So any regulations or data on electricity usage will be basically irrelevant to it.
Hopefully other crypto follows suit.