China’s cryptocurrency crackdown

International bitcoin “miners” are reaping the benefits of China’s effective ban on the energy-intensive technique, garnering ever-increasing profits by filling a void.

In June, China’s central bitcoin-producing regions implemented a ban on computer-powered crypto mining as part of a more significant effort to reduce carbon emissions and a drive against private cryptocurrencies. The country develops its official digital token. The government had previously been the world’s largest bitcoins generator, accounting for half of the global output. Other miners stated that the slowing of Chinese production has opened up the market to new entrants.

Consider the average daily worldwide bitcoin production to be the pie. The pie remained the same size, and each current miner could help themselves to a substantially larger piece, said Shane Downey, the chief financial officer of Hut 8 Mining, a Toronto-based publicly traded firm. Bitcoin miners generate new coins by solving mathematical puzzles with powerful computers. Because the quantity of cash created each day is limited, minting new currency is more accessible and less expensive when fewer competitors.

Because of the improving economic conditions, businesses were establishing new mining operations in countries worldwide.

Company’s benefit

According to data website Blockchain.com, worldwide computer power dedicated to bitcoin mining originally halved in the aftermath of the Chinese ban, but it is now approximately 30%. Bitcoin’s return to $50,000 on Monday from summer lows of around $30,000 may provide more motivation to miners.

It’s as if we’ve doubled the number of machines we have, said Fiorenzo Manganiello, founder of private equity firm Lian Group, which operates one of Europe’s largest renewable bitcoin mining farms.

Hut 8 Mining has also benefited: the company’s mining revenues increased by 241 percent year on year in the second quarter.

Totaling C$31.4 million (US$24.8 million), its chief executive was commenting that June and July proved to be fruitful months as a result of the Chinese industry’s absence. Mining profits totaled C$19.3 million over time, up from C$697,000 during the same period last year.

Following China’s prohibition on domestic miners, global plummeted by 40 to 50%, and at Hut 8, we started mining 40 to 50% more bitcoin, with no directly corresponding cost increase.

Argo Blockchain, a mining business based in the United Kingdom, also announced a 180 percent rise in revenue in the first half of 2021.

 Citing a change in global mining conditions allowed it to produce more digital currency without expanding the number of machines employed. Pre-tax earnings increased to £10.7 million, up from £523,074 in the first half of 2020.

Environmental impacts

Bitcoin mining has a negative influence on the environment. The Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption index accounts for 0.4% of global energy consumption, utilizing more electricity per year than Finland or Belgium. Because they relied on coal-powered energy, Chinese miners had an exceptionally substantial impact.

As things stand today, we feel cryptocurrencies have a long way to go to satisfy ESG criteria, analysts at French asset management Candriam stated.

The cost and quality of machines needed to mine crypto units have also decreased. Before China’s crackdown, miners had to pay ever-increasing prices for their devices as they sought more efficient methods of acquiring bitcoins. The cost of computers and thus the barrier to making money has dropped due to a glut of servers collecting dust in China.