Kosovo bans cryptocurrency mining after blackouts

[Eugene]

Source: BBC

Kosovo bans cryptocurrency mining after blackouts

5 January 2022

Kosovo has banned the mining of cryptocurrencies to curb electricity use as it grapples with an energy crisis caused by soaring global prices.

The government says security services will identify and clamp down on sources of cryptocurrency mining.

The mining is energy intensive and involves verifying digital transactions to get cryptocurrencies as a reward.

While all of Europe faces sharp price rises, Kosovo is enforcing rolling blackouts amid an electricity shortage.

The Balkan state's largest coal-fired power plant was shut down last month over a technical issue, forcing the government to import electricity at high prices.

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Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59879760

[captain queeg]

1. Energy markets are rapidly changing. Most people think in terms of capacity

Which is also evolving but at least is more predictable. I don’t think utilities should be allowed to run with the short term profit american model we see other corporations using.