Winter Storm Threatens Bitcoin Mining Operations in Southern U.S.

A winter storm posing a threat to much of the southern United States may lead to a halt in Bitcoin mining operations. According to ChainCatcher, AccuWeather reported on Thursday that the 'massive winter storm' could stretch across 1,800 miles, from the far western edge of Texas to the mid-Atlantic coast, affecting over 60 million people. Historically, Bitcoin miners have voluntarily reduced activity during major storms to alleviate pressure on the power grid. During a significant winter storm in Texas in 2022, cryptocurrency miners in the state voluntarily scaled back operations. Bitcoin environmental, social, and governance researcher Daniel Batten noted that as extreme weather events become more common globally, the need for load balancing in Bitcoin mining will increase, especially with more solar and wind energy being integrated into the grid.