July 18th, 2024

Bye-bye Bitcoin, hello AI: Texas miners leave crypto for next new wave

Texas miners pivot to AI, exemplified by Lancium and Crusoe Energy Systems' partnership for a 200MW data center near Abilene. Shift from bitcoin mining to AI reflects industry trend for profitability and sustainability.

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Bye-bye Bitcoin, hello AI: Texas miners leave crypto for next new wave

Texas miners are shifting from bitcoin to artificial intelligence (AI) as Houston-based Lancium and Denver-based Crusoe Energy Systems announce a multibillion-dollar deal to build a 200-megawatt data center near Abilene, Texas, catering to AI companies. This move reflects a broader trend in the industry to power AI operations and move away from bitcoin mining due to profitability challenges post-bitcoin halving. The shift to AI is proving successful for miners, with companies like Bit Digital and Hut 8 diversifying their revenue streams by supplying AI infrastructure. Crusoe Energy Systems, known for its work in bitcoin mining, is now focusing on AI infrastructure, leveraging renewable energy sources to power their data centers. The AI industry's growing demand for computing capacity and the flexibility of bitcoin miners as electricity consumers are driving this transition. The move towards AI is seen as a strategic shift for companies like Lancium and Crusoe, aligning with the evolving needs of modern data centers optimized for energy efficiency and scalability.

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By @tedunangst - 4 months
We need a version of chatgpt that just runs sha256 until the output resembles text.
By @vladgur - 4 months
I dont understand why this makes sense in uber-hot Texas. Why not northern, cooler states or even Alaska.
By @ck2 - 4 months
What was the evolutionary efficiency of bitcoin mining dedicated ASICs ala "moore's law"

Will AI ASICs follow the same evolution?

ChatGPT on a single chip someday?

By @MisterBastahrd - 4 months
Well, as long as they're keeping energy rates high and the state continues to pay them to... not use so much when load increases, might as well keep that grift going.
By @dvh - 4 months
Is there a rate of hash rate drop that would kill Bitcoin?