Comedian Bill Maher Claims Crypto Mining Uses 8% of World’s Electricity; Experts Disagree

American comedian Bill Maher sparked controversy by claiming that cryptocurrency mining consumes 8% of the world’s electricity. This statement, made on his recent show, drew criticism from experts and crypto enthusiasts who pointed out that this figure is significantly exaggerated.

According to researchers, the actual electricity consumption of all cryptocurrencies is less than 1% of the global total. Bitcoin, the largest cryptocurrency, consumes approximately 121 TWh per year, which accounts for about 0.45% of the world’s electricity consumption of 27,000 TWh.

Experts urge the public to fact-check information and rely on scientifically backed data, especially on critical issues like energy consumption and environmental impact. Statements like Maher’s can be misleading and create a false perception of cryptocurrencies’ effects on the environment.