Crypto Mining Blog

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Collin Starkweather — economist, data scientist, and former Chief Data Scientist at a legal-tech AI startup — for a deep, no-nonsense conversation about the real drivers of value in crypto, the misunderstood power of network effects, and the future of artificial intelligence. …………………………………………………………… 👉 Like deep, hype-free conversations on crypto, AI, and markets? Subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SergiiGerasymovych …………………………………………………………… We unpack why most people — including many investors — fundamentally misunderstand what gives crypto its value. Collin explains how price, hype, usage, and belief all collide to create the illusion of “worth,” and why Bitcoin dominates despite its technical limitations. We dive into network effects and why they determine winners more than features — drawing surprising parallels between Facebook, Microsoft, and crypto. Our conversation explores market efficiency, the power of collective intelligence, and how retail investors often follow hype instead of logic. We discuss Ethereum’s strengths and weaknesses, why no one has managed to dethrone Bitcoin, and why belief may be more powerful than code. We also zoom out to talk about AI: where we are now, what separates machine learning from artificial intelligence, and whether we’re truly entering the age of AGI. Collin reflects on his time living and teaching in China and shares a unique comparative lens on the U.S.–China AI rivalry — from infrastructure and regulation to government incentives and global positioning. This episode is for anyone who wants to go deeper than buzzwords. Whether you're a crypto skeptic, an AI builder, a policy wonk, or just trying to make sense of markets, hype cycles, and technology trends — this is the conversation that cuts through the noise. …………………………………………………………… ⏳Time codes: 00:00 – What gives crypto its value? 01:25 – Who is Dr. Starkweather and his background 04:43 – How a trip to Italy led to a dot-com job 06:43 – Lessons from the dot-com boom 08:40 – Hype vs real adoption in crypto 10:44 – Network effects explained simply 13:05 – No users, no value: Bitcoin reality 15:23 – Bitcoin: Digital gold or digital cash? 18:39 – Are crypto markets efficient? 21:57 – Elon Musk's tweet and market reactions 26:00 – Belief, usage and liquidity in crypto 29:28 – Why Bitcoin dominates despite better tech 32:30 – Network effects and winner-takes-all dynamics 36:35 – Crypto fades, AI rises: What’s next? 37:56 – AI vs machine learning: key differences 40:24 – Will we ever reach AGI? 42:54 – China vs USA: The AI race 47:00 – Should the US government support AI? 50:42 – Are we overinvesting in AI infrastructure? 53:48 – Can small players compete with hyperscalers? 57:00 – Final thoughts and what’s next …………………………………………………………… 🔗 Links & Resources: Х: https://x.com/sergiigera Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergii-gerasymovych Site: https://ezblockchain.net/ Personal website: https://gerasymovych.com …………………………………………………………… Collin Starkweather on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/collinstarkweather/ DeepSeek Insights by Collin Starkweather: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNL66ZUjeEM …………………………………………………………… 🚨The contents of this channel and any videos do not constitute legal, financial, business or professional advice. Always do your own research and seek the advice of your own professional advisors before making any legal, business, or financial decisions. The information contained on this channel is provided AS IS and for informational purposes only. We make no warranties or representations of any kind concerning the accuracy or suitability of the information contained on this channel. BY VIEWING A VIDEO ON THIS CHANNEL, YOU AGREE THAT WE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING FROM ACCESS TO OR USE OF ANY CONTENT AVAILABLE ON THIS CHANNEL, REGARDLESS OF THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF SUCH CONTENT, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. We reserve the right to remove or delete any comment in our sole discretion. The information and views expressed in the comments do not necessarily reflect our views.

In this episode, I sit down with Alex Neumüller, research lead at the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, to explore the real-world mechanics, misconceptions, and future of Bitcoin mining. From his early mining days in China to publishing one of the most comprehensive reports on Bitcoin energy use, Alex brings a rare combination of academic rigor and hands-on experience to a debate often dominated by speculation and Twitter threads. We dive deep into the Cambridge Bitcoin Mining Report, which challenges mainstream narratives with hard data — revealing that over 52% of mining now uses renewable energy and highlighting how miners are helping reduce global gas flaring by repurposing wasted energy. Alex breaks down how mining actually works, why Proof of Work is essential to Bitcoin’s security model, and how geopolitical and energy dynamics are reshaping the industry. Our conversation explores Bitcoin's critical challenges: whether mining remains sustainable after halvings, how miners will compete with AI for cheap energy, and what happens when block rewards disappear entirely. We also explore surprising use cases, like how miners are repurposing waste heat to dry food and heat buildings, and discuss why Bitcoin mining might be the most misunderstood climate tech of our time. Alex opens up about the challenge of translating complex research into plain language — and why bridging that gap may be the key to broader societal acceptance. Whether you’re a miner, policymaker, investor, or simply curious about Bitcoin’s infrastructure layer, this episode offers clear, grounded insight into one of the most controversial — and crucial — pieces of the crypto puzzle. A must-listen for anyone serious about energy, decentralization, sustainability, and the long game of building in crypto.

In this episode, I sit down with Alex Neumüller, research lead at the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, to explore the real-world mechanics, misconceptions, and future of Bitcoin mining. From his early mining days in China to publishing one of the most comprehensive reports on Bitcoin energy use, Alex brings a rare combination of academic rigor and hands-on experience to a debate often dominated by speculation and Twitter threads. We dive deep into the Cambridge Bitcoin Mining Report, which challenges mainstream narratives with hard data — revealing that over 52% of mining now uses renewable energy and highlighting how miners are helping reduce global gas flaring by repurposing wasted energy. Alex breaks down how mining actually works, why Proof of Work is essential to Bitcoin’s security model, and how geopolitical and energy dynamics are reshaping the industry. Our conversation explores Bitcoin's critical challenges: whether mining remains sustainable after halvings, how miners will compete with AI for cheap energy, and what happens when block rewards disappear entirely. We also explore surprising use cases, like how miners are repurposing waste heat to dry food and heat buildings, and discuss why Bitcoin mining might be the most misunderstood climate tech of our time. Alex opens up about the challenge of translating complex research into plain language — and why bridging that gap may be the key to broader societal acceptance. Whether you’re a miner, policymaker, investor, or simply curious about Bitcoin’s infrastructure layer, this episode offers clear, grounded insight into one of the most controversial — and crucial — pieces of the crypto puzzle. A must-listen for anyone serious about energy, decentralization, sustainability, and the long game of building in crypto.

In this episode, I sit down with Alex Neumüller, research lead at the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, to explore the real-world mechanics, misconceptions, and future of Bitcoin mining. From his early mining days in China to publishing one of the most comprehensive reports on Bitcoin energy use, Alex brings a rare combination of academic rigor and hands-on experience to a debate often dominated by speculation and Twitter threads. We dive deep into the Cambridge Bitcoin Mining Report, which challenges mainstream narratives with hard data — revealing that over 52% of mining now uses renewable energy and highlighting how miners are helping reduce global gas flaring by repurposing wasted energy. Alex breaks down how mining actually works, why Proof of Work is essential to Bitcoin’s security model, and how geopolitical and energy dynamics are reshaping the industry. Our conversation explores Bitcoin's critical challenges: whether mining remains sustainable after halvings, how miners will compete with AI for cheap energy, and what happens when block rewards disappear entirely. We also explore surprising use cases, like how miners are repurposing waste heat to dry food and heat buildings, and discuss why Bitcoin mining might be the most misunderstood climate tech of our time. Alex opens up about the challenge of translating complex research into plain language — and why bridging that gap may be the key to broader societal acceptance. Whether you’re a miner, policymaker, investor, or simply curious about Bitcoin’s infrastructure layer, this episode offers clear, grounded insight into one of the most controversial — and crucial — pieces of the crypto puzzle. A must-listen for anyone serious about energy, decentralization, sustainability, and the long game of building in crypto.

In this episode, I sit down with Alex Neumüller, research lead at the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, to explore the real-world mechanics, misconceptions, and future of Bitcoin mining. From his early mining days in China to publishing one of the most comprehensive reports on Bitcoin energy use, Alex brings a rare combination of academic rigor and hands-on experience to a debate often dominated by speculation and Twitter threads. We dive deep into the Cambridge Bitcoin Mining Report, which challenges mainstream narratives with hard data — revealing that over 52% of mining now uses renewable energy and highlighting how miners are helping reduce global gas flaring by repurposing wasted energy. Alex breaks down how mining actually works, why Proof of Work is essential to Bitcoin’s security model, and how geopolitical and energy dynamics are reshaping the industry. Our conversation explores Bitcoin's critical challenges: whether mining remains sustainable after halvings, how miners will compete with AI for cheap energy, and what happens when block rewards disappear entirely. We also explore surprising use cases, like how miners are repurposing waste heat to dry food and heat buildings, and discuss why Bitcoin mining might be the most misunderstood climate tech of our time. Alex opens up about the challenge of translating complex research into plain language — and why bridging that gap may be the key to broader societal acceptance. Whether you’re a miner, policymaker, investor, or simply curious about Bitcoin’s infrastructure layer, this episode offers clear, grounded insight into one of the most controversial — and crucial — pieces of the crypto puzzle. A must-listen for anyone serious about energy, decentralization, sustainability, and the long game of building in crypto.

In this episode, I sit down with Alex Neumüller, research lead at the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, to explore the real-world mechanics, misconceptions, and future of Bitcoin mining. From his early mining days in China to publishing one of the most comprehensive reports on Bitcoin energy use, Alex brings a rare combination of academic rigor and hands-on experience to a debate often dominated by speculation and Twitter threads. We dive deep into the Cambridge Bitcoin Mining Report, which challenges mainstream narratives with hard data — revealing that over 52% of mining now uses renewable energy and highlighting how miners are helping reduce global gas flaring by repurposing wasted energy. Alex breaks down how mining actually works, why Proof of Work is essential to Bitcoin’s security model, and how geopolitical and energy dynamics are reshaping the industry. Our conversation explores Bitcoin's critical challenges: whether mining remains sustainable after halvings, how miners will compete with AI for cheap energy, and what happens when block rewards disappear entirely. We also explore surprising use cases, like how miners are repurposing waste heat to dry food and heat buildings, and discuss why Bitcoin mining might be the most misunderstood climate tech of our time. Alex opens up about the challenge of translating complex research into plain language — and why bridging that gap may be the key to broader societal acceptance. Whether you’re a miner, policymaker, investor, or simply curious about Bitcoin’s infrastructure layer, this episode offers clear, grounded insight into one of the most controversial — and crucial — pieces of the crypto puzzle. A must-listen for anyone serious about energy, decentralization, sustainability, and the long game of building in crypto.

In this episode, I sit down with Alex Neumüller, research lead at the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, to explore the real-world mechanics, misconceptions, and future of Bitcoin mining. From his early mining days in China to publishing one of the most comprehensive reports on Bitcoin energy use, Alex brings a rare combination of academic rigor and hands-on experience to a debate often dominated by speculation and Twitter threads. We dive deep into the Cambridge Bitcoin Mining Report, which challenges mainstream narratives with hard data — revealing that over 52% of mining now uses renewable energy and highlighting how miners are helping reduce global gas flaring by repurposing wasted energy. Alex breaks down how mining actually works, why Proof of Work is essential to Bitcoin’s security model, and how geopolitical and energy dynamics are reshaping the industry. Our conversation explores Bitcoin's critical challenges: whether mining remains sustainable after halvings, how miners will compete with AI for cheap energy, and what happens when block rewards disappear entirely. We also explore surprising use cases, like how miners are repurposing waste heat to dry food and heat buildings, and discuss why Bitcoin mining might be the most misunderstood climate tech of our time. Alex opens up about the challenge of translating complex research into plain language — and why bridging that gap may be the key to broader societal acceptance. Whether you’re a miner, policymaker, investor, or simply curious about Bitcoin’s infrastructure layer, this episode offers clear, grounded insight into one of the most controversial — and crucial — pieces of the crypto puzzle. A must-listen for anyone serious about energy, decentralization, sustainability, and the long game of building in crypto.

In this episode, I sit down with Alex Neumüller, research lead at the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, to explore the real-world mechanics, misconceptions, and future of Bitcoin mining. From his early mining days in China to publishing one of the most comprehensive reports on Bitcoin energy use, Alex brings a rare combination of academic rigor and hands-on experience to a debate often dominated by speculation and Twitter threads. We dive deep into the Cambridge Bitcoin Mining Report, which challenges mainstream narratives with hard data — revealing that over 52% of mining now uses renewable energy and highlighting how miners are helping reduce global gas flaring by repurposing wasted energy. Alex breaks down how mining actually works, why Proof of Work is essential to Bitcoin’s security model, and how geopolitical and energy dynamics are reshaping the industry. Our conversation explores Bitcoin's critical challenges: whether mining remains sustainable after halvings, how miners will compete with AI for cheap energy, and what happens when block rewards disappear entirely. We also explore surprising use cases, like how miners are repurposing waste heat to dry food and heat buildings, and discuss why Bitcoin mining might be the most misunderstood climate tech of our time. Alex opens up about the challenge of translating complex research into plain language — and why bridging that gap may be the key to broader societal acceptance. Whether you’re a miner, policymaker, investor, or simply curious about Bitcoin’s infrastructure layer, this episode offers clear, grounded insight into one of the most controversial — and crucial — pieces of the crypto puzzle. A must-listen for anyone serious about energy, decentralization, sustainability, and the long game of building in crypto.

In this episode, I sit down with Alex Neumüller, research lead at the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, to explore the real-world mechanics, misconceptions, and future of Bitcoin mining. From his early mining days in China to publishing one of the most comprehensive reports on Bitcoin energy use, Alex brings a rare combination of academic rigor and hands-on experience to a debate often dominated by speculation and Twitter threads. We dive deep into the Cambridge Bitcoin Mining Report, which challenges mainstream narratives with hard data — revealing that over 52% of mining now uses renewable energy and highlighting how miners are helping reduce global gas flaring by repurposing wasted energy. Alex breaks down how mining actually works, why Proof of Work is essential to Bitcoin’s security model, and how geopolitical and energy dynamics are reshaping the industry. Our conversation explores Bitcoin's critical challenges: whether mining remains sustainable after halvings, how miners will compete with AI for cheap energy, and what happens when block rewards disappear entirely. We also explore surprising use cases, like how miners are repurposing waste heat to dry food and heat buildings, and discuss why Bitcoin mining might be the most misunderstood climate tech of our time. Alex opens up about the challenge of translating complex research into plain language — and why bridging that gap may be the key to broader societal acceptance. Whether you’re a miner, policymaker, investor, or simply curious about Bitcoin’s infrastructure layer, this episode offers clear, grounded insight into one of the most controversial — and crucial — pieces of the crypto puzzle. A must-listen for anyone serious about energy, decentralization, sustainability, and the long game of building in crypto.

In this episode, I talk with Arty Bespaloff, one of the earliest Bitcoin mining pioneers, about how a search for a banned book led him into crypto — and eventually into building physical infrastructure for a decentralized future. From growing up in Kazakhstan and Argentina to discovering Bitcoin on the dark web and launching one of Canada’s first OTC desks and mining businesses, Artem shares a compelling origin story shaped by curiosity and resilience. We uncover the hidden history of Bitcoin’s early days: shady Telegram trades for mining rigs, PayPal and eBay cracking down on crypto sellers, and licensed companies still losing access to banks. Artem explains how Canada’s strict regulations pushed him to build independently — turning Bitcoin into both a business opportunity and a safeguard against centralized financial control. Our conversation goes beyond speculation, touching on mining logistics, the tension between decentralization and compliance, and the philosophical divide between Bitcoin as a store of value versus a medium of exchange. Artem explains why mining is now a scale game, how small players are being edged out, and why the greatest risk may not be price — but being locked out of the system entirely. We also challenge big ideas: Should Canada merge with the U.S.? Can Bitcoin thrive without merchant adoption? Is belief alone enough to give it value? A raw and thought-provoking deep dive into the philosophy, infrastructure, and human stories behind crypto’s rise. Perfect for anyone curious about Bitcoin’s history, mining infrastructure, financial sovereignty, and what it really means to build in crypto.