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Is Bitcoin Doomed Without an Urgent Green Blockchain Upgrade?

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The debate over cryptocurrencies’ environmental impact has intensified as governments, corporations, and investors focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) concerns. Bitcoin, the world’s most prominent cryptocurrency, is leading the criticism, known for its energy-intensive Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus mechanism.

While innovations are emerging across the crypto industry to address environmental concerns, Bitcoin’s contribution to global carbon emissions remains a major point of contention.

Bitcoin’s Environmental Problem

Bitcoin’s PoW mechanism relies on miners solving complex cryptographic problems, consuming vast amounts of computational power and energy.

According to estimates from the University of Cambridge, Bitcoin’s annual energy consumption rivals that of entire nations such as Argentina or Norway. Moreover, Bitcoin’s environmental footprint is exacerbated in regions where mining operations are powered by non-renewable energy sources.

“Bitcoin mining may be responsible for 65.4 megatonnes of CO2 (MtCO2) per year, which is comparable to country-level emissions in Greece (56.6 MtCO2 in 2019) and represents 0.19% of global emissions,” a report titled Revisiting Bitcoin’s Carbon Footprint read.

Bitcoin Electricity Consumption
Bitcoin Electricity Consumption. Source: University of Cambridge

Critics argue that this consumption is disproportionate and unsustainable, especially in light of global climate commitments. While alternative cryptocurrencies are exploring eco-friendly mechanisms, Bitcoin’s slow adaptation to such technologies has raised concerns.

“Everybody recognizes Bitcoin is environmentally unhealthy, but any big changes to Bitcoin protocol have been very unsuccessful because you need to get all the miners to agree on that,” Hanna Halaburda, Associate Professor of Information at NYU Stern School of Business, said.

If environmental sustainability becomes a core expectation of investors and regulators, Bitcoin may soon face increasing pressure to upgrade.

A Green Shift in Crypto

In contrast to Bitcoin, other blockchain platforms have already taken steps to reduce their environmental impact. Ethereum, for instance, made headlines in 2022 with its shift from PoW to Proof-of-Stake (PoS), cutting its energy consumption by over 99%. PoS replaces energy-hungry mining with validators who lock up tokens as collateral to secure the network.

This transformation set a precedent for the industry, showing that eco-friendly upgrades are possible even in established networks.

Read more: Proof of Work and Proof of Stake Explained

Ethereum Energy Consumption
Ethereum Energy Consumption. Source: Digiconomist

Other platforms like Hedera, Cardano, and Tezos also boast PoS mechanisms and are increasingly focusing on sustainability. Hedera’s involvement in carbon offsetting projects and its collaboration with the Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC) to promote environmental standards are further steps toward reducing blockchain’s ecological footprint.

In an exclusive interview with BeInCrypto, Wes Geisenberger, Vice President of Sustainability and ESG at HBAR, noted the importance of the GBBC InterWork Alliance’s Carbon Emission Token (CET) Task Force. This task force, developed to address carbon accounting at a technical level, is helping companies navigate these regulations.

“The CET is a positive contribution, very much driven by the changes coming from governments and corporates looking for solutions to credibly address their environmental impact,” Geisenberger said.

This kind of technical development highlights the growing intersection of blockchain and environmental governance. The crypto industry is increasingly collaborating with government bodies and international organizations to find solutions that meet regulatory expectations while leveraging blockchain’s potential to innovate.

Investors are Paying Attention

Investor sentiment is increasingly aligned with global ESG priorities. Climate-conscious investors are urging industries, including crypto, to take accountability for their environmental impact. In response, some blockchain ecosystems are leading climate-focused efforts, both through technological innovation and by funding sustainable projects.

According to Geisenberger, the HBAR Foundation’s Sustainable Impact Fund is one of the first grant-based funds aimed at promoting blockchain’s role in sustainability. This fund supports initiatives like the Hedera Guardian, a public ledger platform designed to improve transparency in carbon credit markets.

By enabling institutions and startups to track and verify their carbon-offsetting efforts, Hedera has shown how blockchains can facilitate responsible environmental practices.

“The Hedera Guardian has already onboarded 500 million metric tonnes of carbon credits. We see these tools helping answer challenges to enable outcomes to measure our planet’s externalities and give agency to folks participating in environmental and biodiversity projects to better trace flows of funds back to the community,” Geisenberger explained.

Despite these positive developments in the broader blockchain ecosystem, Bitcoin’s reliance on PoW remains unchanged. Bitcoin advocates argue that its decentralized nature and security features are unparalleled and that any shift in its consensus mechanism could jeopardize its integrity. They point to Bitcoin miners’ adoption of renewable energy as a possible solution to its environmental challenges.

Some mining operations are indeed migrating to regions with abundant hydroelectric, wind, and solar power. However, these efforts are still piecemeal and lack industry-wide coordination.

“A lot of Bitcoin mining companies have set up their contracts with renewable energy companies. The argument is that having these mining facilities as clients means that when there’s an oversupply of energy, it may actually make it more profitable for the renewable energy plants,” Halaburda added.

Read more: 5 Best Platforms To Buy Bitcoin Mining Stocks After 2024 Halving

Bitcoin Energy Sources
Bitcoin Energy Sources. Source: EZ Blockchain

The question, then, is whether Bitcoin will be able to evolve in an increasingly ESG-driven world. The industry’s focus on renewable energy and carbon offsetting projects offers some hope, but it may not be enough if regulatory frameworks impose stricter environmental requirements.

Challenges in Standardizing ESG Metrics

While some crypto platforms have made strides toward sustainability, the challenge of standardizing ESG metrics across the industry persists. Blockchain technology’s decentralized and often opaque nature complicates the task of measuring environmental impact consistently and comparably.

Efforts like the CET protocol are helping to fill this gap, but broader industry-wide adoption is necessary for meaningful change. Without standardization, it remains difficult to gauge which platforms are truly sustainable and which are relying on surface-level commitments.

There is also the challenge of balancing the interests of investors, users, and environmental advocates, each of whom has different expectations regarding the future of blockchain technology.

As regulations tighten and the global push for sustainability accelerates, Bitcoin’s environmental footprint will likely become harder to ignore. The crypto industry has demonstrated that it can innovate and adapt, but Bitcoin, as the original and most influential cryptocurrency, faces an uphill battle. It may ultimately require either an upgrade in its consensus mechanism or a significant investment in renewable energy solutions.

Disclaimer

Following the Trust Project guidelines, this feature article presents opinions and perspectives from industry experts or individuals. BeInCrypto is dedicated to transparent reporting, but the views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of BeInCrypto or its staff. Readers should verify information independently and consult with a professional before making decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



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Crypto Founder Identifies The Best And Worst Time To Be In Bitcoin

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Bitcoin and the rest of the crypto market have been trading sideways for the better part of the year now. However, the tide is starting to turn as there could be a recovery trend for the crypto market very soon. To this end, a crypto founder has identified the best and worst times to be an investor in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Going by his prediction, the worst could be over for Bitcoin, and the market could be for a great time soon.

Best And Worst Time To Be In Bitcoin

Charles Edwards, founder of digital assets-focused hedge fund Capriole Investments, took to X (formerly Twitter), to share when he thinks is the best a worst time to be in Bitcoin. In the post, Edwards attached a screenshot of quarterly returns for Bitcoin, showing the best and worst-performing quarters.

According to the information, the best quarter for Bitcoin is the last quarter of the year, and the worst is the third quarter of the year. Going by this, it means that the Bitcoin price is currently going through its worst-performing quarter. However, this also means that the downtrend could be nearing its end since the month of September is almost over.

The average returns for the third quarter is shown to be +5.39%, the worst of any quarter. The second worst-performing quarter is the second quarter, but even that remains high at +26.89%, while the median returns for the fourth quarter is actually in the negative at -4.64%, an is the only quarter with a negative median return.

In contrast, the fourth quarter has always been bullish, with average returns of +88.84% and median returns of +56.90%. With less than two weeks left to go in the third quarter, Edwards believes that the worst is over. “If you are still here, congratulations. You made it through the worst time to be in Bitcoin. The best lies ahead,” the post read.

BTC Could Jump To New All-Time High In October

Going by the monthly returns for Bitcoin, as depicted on the Coinglass website, Edwards’ forecast that the decline is almost over looks to be correct. The months of October, November, and December have been some of the most bullish months for the coin in history, and this year could be the exact same.

Bitcoin monthly returns
Source: Coinglass

If this trend holds, then the Bitcoin price could be looking at an average increase of around 20% in October. Such a price increase could set the BTC price on a path to a new all-time high. A continuation of the bullish trend would see the Bitcoin price hit a new all-time high by the time the year 2024 is over.

Bitcoin price chart from Tradingview.com
BTC bulls reclaim control of price | Source: BTCUSD on Tradingview.com

Featured image created with Dall.E, chart from Tradingview.com



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Is Global Liquidity What Bitcoin Needs to Reach $100,000?

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The Federal Reserve instituted a 50-point rate cut, with promising liquidity conditions for a Bitcoin price spike. However, risks abound with cuts this severe, and crypto profits are far from guaranteed.

Global liquidity is very likely to increase, but this might not equal Bitcoin inflows.

Rate Cuts, Liquidity and Bitcoin

The Federal Reserve has decided on a 50-point rate cut, and Bitcoin’s price has been soaring. Given these and broader market trends, many in the community expect a Bitcoin bull market.

However, rate cuts alone cannot guarantee such favorable market conditions; other factors are also crucial. The key to understanding all of this is global liquidity.

At first glance, Bitcoin’s price over the last few weeks has seemed ponderous, sluggish, and indecisive. Upon a closer look, though, it is actually trending closer than ever before. Raoul Pal, CEO and founder of Global Macro Investor, noted that this correlation was “close, very close” throughout 2024.

Compared to previous years’ data on Global Liquidity (L2) and the price of Bitcoin, this year’s proximity is staggering.

Global M2 and Bitcoin 2024
Correlation of Global Liquidity (M2) and Bitcoin. Source: Raoul Pal

In an exclusive interview with BeInCrypto, Adrian Fritz, Head of Research at 21Shares, described the relationship between cuts and liquidity.

“The upcoming Fed rate cut could lead to short-term Bitcoin price volatility. However, the extent of the cut will play a crucial role in shaping market reactions. A more aggressive 50 bps cut could offer short-term liquidity relief,” he added, with obvious importance for Bitcoin,” Fritz said.

The “more aggressive” rate cut has taken place, and Bitcoin has already responded in kind. The dollar is the global reserve currency, and US rate cuts have well-established impacts on liquidity and market risks. Crypto provides an invaluable reservoir of liquidity for international markets, and this dynamic has only increased.

Quinten Francois, co-founder of WeRate, has noted a trend pointing towards a liquidity spike, and Bitcoin will surely benefit from it. Seems simple, right?

Read More: Bitcoin Halving History: Everything You Need To Know

Global Liquidity Spikes and Bitcoin
Trends Pointing to 2024 Liquidity Spike. Source: Quinten Francois

Dangers in a Volatile Market

Rob Viglione, CEO of Horizen Labs, also discussed these dynamics with BeInCrypto. Like Fritz, he also expected a 25-point rate cut:

“Since a 25 basis point cut is largely expected, major price swings are unlikely, but the direction of travel in the short term will likely be positive as investors move to more volatile assets. In the longer term, lower interest rates will continue to favor risk-on assets like Bitcoin, as investors continue to seek higher returns outside of traditional investments,” Viglione claimed.

However, both underestimated the extent of these cuts. Viglione said that major price swings were unlikely in a 25-point scenario, but cuts are much more severe.

In other words, the market could be set up for a major spike. There are hazards, too, though, that may stand between Bitcoin and a big score.

“A 50-point cut may also heighten concerns about deeper economic challenges or the risk of an impending recession, which could trigger a price pullback. This is especially relevant considering Bitcoin’s recent failure to break through the $60,000 mark and September’s historically poor performance for both Bitcoin and broader markets,” Fritz concluded.

Thankfully, Bitcoin has already broken through $60,000. Bitcoin is viewed, perhaps incorrectly, as a risk-on asset, and lowered interest rates do benefit these. For now, all the conitions seem reasonable to expect a price spike, provided that investor confidence remains high. Nobody can know the future, but we may indeed see $100,000 Bitcoin sooner than we think.

Disclaimer

In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



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Bitcoin Price Jumps Amid FOMC Rate Cut Decision

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Bitcoin (BTC) reacted to the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting on Wednesday, which showed policymakers resorted to a 50 (0.50%) basis points (bps) interest rate cut for September.

This decision marks the beginning of an easing cycle, with more rate cuts to come in 2024.

FOMC Cuts Interest Rates, Bitcoin Jumps Over $60,000

The Federal Reserve has cut interest rates by 50 basis points, the first reduction since early 2020. Financial markets, including crypto investors, had been expecting this move as policymakers aim to control inflation while promoting job growth.

This rate cut comes after the August Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed inflation cooling to 2.5%, down from 2.9% in July. A weaker jobs market and easing inflation have pushed the Fed to lower borrowing costs, hoping to keep the economy steady.

“I think those rate cuts are going to happen faster than we predict. Why? The labor markets and economy are getting worse at an accelerated pace,” analyst Michael van de Poppe shared ahead of the release.

Read more: How to Protect Yourself From Inflation Using Cryptocurrency

Despite the rate cut, the Federal Reserve remains cautious about inflation risks and stands ready to adjust its policies as needed to maintain market stability. This decision is significant because it directly impacts the broader economy, influencing both families and businesses across the US

Higher interest rates typically make borrowing more expensive, whereas lower rates ease access to loans, stimulating spending and investment. This increased liquidity can benefit riskier assets like Bitcoin and stocks, which often see gains when borrowing costs drop.

Historically, interest rate cuts have boosted assets like Bitcoin. For example, following the Fed’s March 2020 rate cut, Bitcoin surged as investors sought to capitalize on lower borrowing costs amid the economic uncertainty triggered by the pandemic.

Read more: How To Buy Bitcoin (BTC) and Everything You Need To Know

BeInCrypto data shows BTC is trading for $60,730 as of this writing.

Disclaimer

In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



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