El Salvador’s Bukele Floats Plan to Rent Volcanoes for Bitcoin Mining

As a seasoned crypto investor with a keen eye for innovative strategies, I find El Salvador’s volcano-powered Bitcoin mining initiative nothing short of intriguing. Having witnessed the rise and fall of numerous cryptocurrencies, I can attest to the fact that this move could potentially redefine the landscape of digital currencies.


On Sunday, President Bukele, known for making Bitcoin a legal tender in El Salvador, took to a social media platform to propose harnessing the country’s 170 volcanoes as potential Bitcoin mining sites.

In a surprising twist, a proposal titled ‘Rent Your Volcano for Bitcoin Mining’ could potentially be logical,” Bukele commented, reacting to news about El Salvador’s thriving cryptocurrency mining operation that leverages geothermal energy from the Tecapa volcano.

 

Since 2021, the Central American nation has mined a total of 474 Bitcoins by harnessing volcanic energy, utilizing approximately 1.5 megawatts from its geothermal resources. The country currently possesses over 5,944 Bitcoins in its reserves, which equates to a value exceeding $583 million at current market rates.

In El Salvador, the state-run geothermal company LaGeo manages two substantial facilities producing 204 megawatts of power. Geothermal energy contributes about a quarter to the country’s overall electricity output, making it a notable contributor in the realm of renewable energy for cryptocurrency mining operations.

The proposal comes as El Salvador continues development of its Bitcoin City project, a planned metropolis near a volcano that would be powered by geothermal energy. The city is designed to include residential and commercial areas, restaurants, an airport, and port and rail services, with all activities except value-added tax exempt from taxation.

To fund the growth of the city, El Salvador initiated a “Volcano Bond,” which is another term for a bond backed by Bitcoin.

Critics of extensive mining operations express worries, but proponents suggest that mining powered by geothermal energy presents a cleaner option compared to conventional fossil fuel-driven activities.

As we speak, a single Bitcoin was being transacted for approximately $98,727.26, highlighting the possible worth of the nation’s volcanic mining approach.

This endeavor showcases El Salvador’s persistent effort to combine renewable energy sources with cryptocurrency activities, potentially paving the way for similar ventures in volcanic areas. The nation is slated to organize GEOLAC 2024, a geothermal conference focusing on Latin America and the Caribbean region, reinforcing its role as a pioneer in eco-friendly cryptocurrency mining.

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2024-11-25 17:10