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BLOCKMEDIA
Sustainable Energy Growth Raises 'Concern' in Mining Industry
2025-04-30 10:10
# Bitcoin Miners Embrace Sustainable Energy, Battle Rising Costs
The move towards sustainable energy in Bitcoin (BTC) mining is accelerating, with renewable energy sources becoming increasingly integral. However, companies face significant challenges due to escalating energy costs, creating financial pressures within the industry.
## Sustainable Energy Utilization Climbs to 52.4%
The latest Digital Mining Industry Report from the University of Cambridge, published on Oct. 30, reveals that sustainable energy constitutes 52.4% of the total energy used in Bitcoin mining. This includes about 9.8% from nuclear power and 42.6% from renewable sources such as hydroelectric, wind, and solar power. Notably, the proportion of sustainable energy now exceeds that of fossil fuels, highlighting the industry's shift towards greener energy solutions.
## Enhanced ASIC Efficiency and Reduced E-Waste
Significant progress has been made in mining hardware efficiency. As of June 2024, ASIC (SHA-256) mining rigs achieved an energy efficiency of 28.2 joules per terahash (J/TH), marking a 24% improvement year-over-year. Moreover, around 90% of retired mining equipment is projected to be recycled or repurposed, potentially reducing e-waste to approximately 2.3 kilotons, indicating strides towards lowering the industry's environmental impact.
## Increased Energy Costs Affect Mining Profitability
Despite technological advances, Bitcoin miners are increasingly concerned about operating costs. A report from Cryptopolitan on Oct. 29 pointed out that 57% of mining firms identify rising energy expenses as their primary challenge. Additionally, 47% of respondents expressed worries about local and federal government regulations, reflecting the sector's complex policy landscape.
## U.S. Department of Commerce Launches Support Initiative
To mitigate these issues, the U.S. Department of Commerce introduced an "Investment Accelerator Program" on March 31, aimed at facilitating Bitcoin mining operations and attracting investments. Secretary Howard Lutnick emphasized the administration's dedication to enabling companies to develop their own energy infrastructure, reinforcing the aim to position the United States as a favorable environment for Bitcoin mining.
As miners and policymakers grapple with the dual pressures of rising energy costs and regulatory challenges, balancing sustainability with economic viability remains a critical focus for the industry.


BLOCKMEDIA
"Japanese Firm ANAP Acquires 35 Bitcoins as Part of Investment Strategy"
2025-04-30 09:03
# Japanese Fashion Company ANAP Holdings Invests in Bitcoin
ANAP Holdings, a well-known publicly traded fashion company in Japan, has officially announced the acquisition of Bitcoin (BTC) as part of a comprehensive group-level investment strategy. This move highlights the growing interest of Japanese publicly listed companies in cryptocurrency investments.
On April 28, 2025, ANAP Holdings revealed that its subsidiary, ANAP Lighting Capital, purchased 35.0 BTC. The transaction amounted to approximately 477.94 million yen (around $3.3 million), as confirmed in a public release.
This investment elevates ANAP Group's total Bitcoin holdings to 51.6578 BTC. The average acquisition price is roughly 13.123 million yen per BTC, with the cumulative investment surpassing 677 million yen.
The company has emphasized the implementation of structured policies for Bitcoin investment and risk management. These policies include setting operational and valuation guidelines, conducting evaluations and disclosures of held assets, and seeking third-party expert reviews to assess investments.
"For future operations, the valuation of Bitcoin held by the company may fluctuate based on price volatility and evolving market conditions," ANAP Holdings stated. They further added that Bitcoin would be viewed from a mid- to long-term perspective and incorporated into financial statements in line with accounting standards.
Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s Standard Market, ANAP Holdings is known for operating relatively small-scale fashion brands. This move to invest in Bitcoin sets a notable precedent, showcasing the potential for broader cryptocurrency adoption among Japan's publicly listed companies.


BLOCKMEDIA
Bitcoin Still 'Undervalued' Even As Institutional Investor Interest Grows
2025-04-30 08:01
# Bitcoin's Recent Rally Indicates Undervaluation Amidst Growing Institutional Interest
Bitcoin (BTC), buoyed by increasing institutional investment, remains undervalued despite its recent price surge, according to a Cointelegraph report dated April 29. Fidelity Digital Assets echoed this sentiment, suggesting that Bitcoin is underpriced with a promising medium-term outlook. Additionally, weaker U.S. job openings data for March 2025 has heightened speculation about potential Federal Reserve rate cuts, further enhancing Bitcoin’s appeal.
# 'Bitcoin Yardstick' Highlights Undervaluation
Fidelity Digital Assets identified the undervaluation using its "Bitcoin Yardstick" index, which compares Bitcoin’s market capitalization to its hash rate (a measure of mining difficulty and network security). A lower yardstick score suggests Bitcoin is inexpensive relative to the security of its network.
During the first quarter of 2025, the yardstick ranged from -1 to 3 standard deviations, stabilizing after an overheated previous quarter. The frequency of days exceeding +2 standard deviations fell from 22 to 15, with no days surpassing +3 standard deviations.
Fidelity described Bitcoin as entering an "acceleration phase," potentially paving the way for new all-time highs, though they cautioned about possible price corrections following significant gains. On-chain data indicates a rise in long-term holder dominance, with illiquid Bitcoin supply increasing from 61.50% to 63.49%, while liquid supply decreased by 4%.
# BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin ETF Records Massive Inflows
On April 28, 2025, BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) ETF saw a significant inflow of $970.9 million, marking the second-largest daily inflow since its launch in January 2024. Since April 22, over $4.5 billion has been funneled into IBIT, securing a 51% market share amid outflows from rival ETFs like Fidelity's FBTC and ARK Invest’s ARKB.
# Bitcoin Boosted by U.S. JOLTS Data
The U.S. Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) for March 2025 reported 7.19 million job openings, a decline from 7.57 million in February and below the forecast of 7.48 million. This suggests a cooling labor market, raising expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts. Such cuts typically weaken the U.S. dollar, thereby making Bitcoin and other risk assets more attractive.
Economist and Bitcoin analyst Alex Krüger noted that the JOLTS data provided short-term momentum for Bitcoin. He remarked, “Bitcoin, combining traits of gold and a risk asset, benefits from rate cuts and other favorable conditions.”
On social media platform X, Krüger pointed out that while markets concentrate on corporate earnings and hawkish signals, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell might address the timing of rate cuts at the upcoming FOMC meeting. He anticipates reduced economic growth in Q3 with accompanying market volatility, but asserts that Bitcoin’s unique risk-reward profile gives it an advantage over overbought altcoins.