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The Bitcoin mining breakdown: Is mining still profitable?

Author

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  • Delgado-Mohatar, Oscar
  • Felis-Rota, Marta
  • Fernández-Herraiz, Carlos

Abstract

We provide an updated estimation of the energy consumption of the Bitcoin network, and a calculation of the evolution of the production cost of Bitcoin over time. Using these data, we conclude that since June 2018 Bitcoin mining is no longer profitable for commodity miners without access to electricity prices below 0.14 $/kWh. This phenomenon explains why many Western miners have dropped out of the circuit, further increasing the centralization of mining activity in China. In addition, we estimate that the marginal cost of the production of bitcoin is around 1,952 US dollars. Below this price the cost of mining would not be profitable, even with the most efficient equipment and the lowest possible price for the energy required. This could lead to a massive exit of the biggest mining players, with unpredictable consequences for the future of this cryptocurrency.

Suggested Citation

  • Delgado-Mohatar, Oscar & Felis-Rota, Marta & Fernández-Herraiz, Carlos, 2019. "The Bitcoin mining breakdown: Is mining still profitable?," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:184:y:2019:i:c:s0165176519302034
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2019.05.044
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Luisanna Cocco & Michele Marchesi, 2016. "Modeling and Simulation of the Economics of Mining in the Bitcoin Market," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(10), pages 1-31, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Malfuzi, A. & Mehr, A.S. & Rosen, Marc A. & Alharthi, M. & Kurilova, A.A., 2020. "Economic viability of bitcoin mining using a renewable-based SOFC power system to supply the electrical power demand," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 203(C).
    2. Jiang, Shangrong & Li, Yuze & Wang, Shouyang & Zhao, Lin, 2022. "Blockchain competition: The tradeoff between platform stability and efficiency," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 296(3), pages 1084-1097.
    3. Rehman, Mobeen Ur & Kang, Sang Hoon, 2021. "A time–frequency comovement and causality relationship between Bitcoin hashrate and energy commodity markets," Global Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 49(C).
    4. Pavel Ciaian & d’Artis Kancs & Miroslava Rajcaniova, 2021. "The economic dependency of bitcoin security," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 53(49), pages 5738-5755, October.
    5. Yang, Zixiu & Fantazzini, Dean, 2022. "Using crypto assets pricing methods to build technical oscillators for short-term bitcoin trading," MPRA Paper 115508, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Sergio Luis Náñez Alonso & Javier Jorge-Vázquez & Miguel Ángel Echarte Fernández & Ricardo Francisco Reier Forradellas, 2021. "Cryptocurrency Mining from an Economic and Environmental Perspective. Analysis of the Most and Least Sustainable Countries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-22, July.
    7. Pham, Son Duy & Nguyen, Thao Thac Thanh & Do, Hung Xuan, 2022. "Dynamic volatility connectedness between thermal coal futures and major cryptocurrencies: Evidence from China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    8. Kim, Daehan & Ryu, Doojin & Webb, Robert I., 2023. "Determination of equilibrium transaction fees in the Bitcoin network: A rank-order contest," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    9. Pezzo, Luca & Wang, Lei & Shin, Seungho & Zirek, Duygu, 2023. "Dynamics of mining markets: Equilibrium implications for professional and casual miners," Global Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    10. Okorie, David Iheke & Lin, Boqiang, 2020. "Crude oil price and cryptocurrencies: Evidence of volatility connectedness and hedging strategy," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Bitcoin; Cryptocurrency; Cost–benefit analysis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G13 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Contingent Pricing; Futures Pricing
    • G17 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Financial Forecasting and Simulation

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