Bitcoin Miners Are Devouring Energy at a Record Pace During the Crypto Runup
- Token’s resurgence draws an influx of investors into mining
- Quadrennial event spurs a race for miners to scale up
Bitcoin mining machines in Joliette, Quebec, Canada.
Photographer: Christinne Muschi/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
After recovering from a near-death experience during the most recent crypto winter, Bitcoin miners are back in survival mode — spending billions of dollars on equipment and drawing energy at a record pace ahead of an update in the digital currency’s code that threatens revenue streams.
The surge in activity is sparked by a runup in the world’s largest cryptocurrency, fueled by newly launched spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds, and a quadrennial event called the halving that is slated to take place in April. Bitcoin has surged more than fourfold since plunging by 64% in 2022 amid a series of crypto industry bankruptcies and scandals.