Steven Kou, Boston University

Bitcoin Mining and Electricity Consumption
Date
Oct 5, 2022, 4:30 pm5:30 pm
Location
101 - Sherrerd Hall

Details

Event Description

Abstract:  We propose a dynamic industry equilibrium model for Bitcoin electricity consumption in a general framework, including Bitcoin miners’ optimal entry and exit with technology innovation. By adopting average operating costs as an approximation to the true operating costs, we overcome the difficulty of strong path-dependency due to the interaction among entry, exit, and technology innovation. The model can capture the upside and downside co-movements of miners’ computing power, electricity consumption, and mining revenue. Our model shows that the Bitcoin electricity consumption will not grow indefinitely, with the ratio of Bitcoin electricity consumption to the miners’ revenue fluctuating within a range. 

Event Category
Financial Mathematics Seminar