‘I’m sick of this world’: How bitcoin mining has lead to ‘living nightmare’ for a Texas town

The US has seen significant growth in industrial-scale Bitcoin mining facilities, with at least 137 such operations currently across the country. This surge is driven by the increasing acceptance of cryptocurrencies and potential for substantial financial gains. As demand for Bitcoin rises, more investors are establishing sophisticated mining facilities with powerful computing hardware. However, this growth raises environmental concerns due to substantial electricity consumption of Bitcoin mining. This often leads to the revival of old, inefficient fossil fuel power plants near mining sites, which emit hazardous pollutants.