Miami Mayor Francis Suarez says the city should become a “clean energy” bitcoin mining hub.
- The mayor of Miami said in an interview with Laura Shin that part of bitcoin mining’s problem is its reputation as a “dirty activity” because “90% of it is done in countries that have dirty energy.”
- Suarez said he would love for Miami to become a bitcoin mining hub to harness the city’s nuclear power capability, “a clean energy supply that’s essentially unlimited.”
- Solar and hydrogen-powered technology could also enter this mix in the future, Suarez said.
- He also cited national security reasons as a motivation because there is an unease about 90% of mining being done outside of the U.S.
- Suarez had been asked by Shin how he reconciles his interest in bitcoin with the environmental impact of mining and fighting the effects of climate change on Miami.
- The Miami mayor proposed in February that residents be able to pay for services in bitcoin and that city employees be given the option of getting paid in it.
- The city’s commissioners voted to study the use of crypto before proceeding.