February 21, 2026, 08:35February 21, 2026, 08:35
The Bitcoin network produces 114 million tons of CO2 per year. This is roughly the same as the Czech Republic, as figures from the crypto portal Digiconomist show.
Bitcoin.Image: keystone
In addition, the network of the popular cryptocurrency uses 3,222 gigalitres of drinking water. This is comparable to the entire water consumption in Switzerland.
According to Digiconomist, a single Bitcoin transaction currently causes as much CO2 as watching around 117,000 hours of YouTube videos – or processing 1.5 million Visa transactions.
The Bitcoin network is based on the so-called blockchain technology. The challenge is to validate transactions on the blockchain in a forgery-proof manner.
To date, the “Proof of Work” process has been used in these systems. Complicated cryptographic puzzles have to be solved, which ultimately generates Bitcoins. This process is also called “mining”.
In mining, many players compete with each other, but only one ultimately comes out on top. That uses a lot of electricity. This often comes from fossil sources, which leads to high CO2 emissions. (cst/sda/awp)