Mining in Bitcoin uses more energy than mining gold

The World

A new study published in Nature Sustainability today finds mining a dollar’s worth of bitcoin uses more energy than mining a dollar’s worth of gold. It’s the latest in a string of studies trying to pinpoint the energy used in mining cryptocurrencies. Carolyn Beeler reports.

Will you support The World?

Without federal support, local stations, especially in rural and underserved areas, face deep cuts or even closure. Vital public service alerts, news, storytelling, and programming like The World will be impacted. The World has weathered many storms, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to being your trusted source for human-centered international news, shared with integrity and care. We believe public media is about truth and access for all. As an independent, nonprofit newsroom, we aren’t controlled by billionaire owners or corporations. We are sustained by listeners like you.

Now more than ever, we need your help to support our global reporting work and power the future of The World.