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Don't Trust, Verify: Towards a Framework for the Greening of Bitcoin

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  • Juan Ignacio Iba~nez
  • Alexander Freier

Abstract

For more than a decade, Bitcoin has gained as much adoption as it has received criticism. Fundamentally, Bitcoin is under fire for the high carbon footprint that results from the energy-intensive proof-of-work (PoW) consensus algorithm. There is a trend however for Bitcoin mining to adopt a trajectory toward achieving carbon-negative status, notably due to the adoption of methane-based mining and mining-based flexible load response (FLR) to complement variable renewable energy (VRE) generation. Miners and electricity sellers may increase their profitability not only by taking advantage of excess energy, but also by selling green tokens to buyers interested in greening their portfolios. Nevertheless, a proper ''green Bitcoin'' accounting system requires a standard framework for the accreditation of sustainable bitcoin holdings. The proper way to build such a framework remains contested. In this paper, we survey the different sustainable Bitcoin accounting systems. Analyzing the various alternatives, we suggest a path forward.

Suggested Citation

  • Juan Ignacio Iba~nez & Alexander Freier, 2023. "Don't Trust, Verify: Towards a Framework for the Greening of Bitcoin," Papers 2305.01815, arXiv.org.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2305.01815
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anders Bjørn & Shannon M. Lloyd & Matthew Brander & H. Damon Matthews, 2022. "Renewable energy certificates threaten the integrity of corporate science-based targets," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 12(6), pages 539-546, June.
    2. Gillenwater, Michael & Lu, Xi & Fischlein, Miriam, 2014. "Additionality of wind energy investments in the U.S. voluntary green power market," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 452-457.
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