A recent International Monetary Fund report claiming a surge in carbon emissions from AI and crypto usage has sparked a rebuttal from Bitcoin advocate Daniel Batten. 

The report suggests that regulators should impose a ‘crypto carbon’ tax due to the alleged environmental impact of Bitcoin (BTC) mining.

Batten argued that the report is based on flawed comparisons and outdated data, going on to criticize the IMF’s use of a “guilt by association” technique, equating the carbon footprint of Bitcoin mining with that of AI data centers without contemporary evidence.

Batten points out that Bitcoin mining, unlike AI data centers, has been shown to have a net decarbonizing effect on energy grids, citing studies that highlight these differences.

Despite #Bitcoin's price and hash rate growth over 4 years, its network emissions have remained relatively static. This suggests improving energy efficiency in Bitcoin mining, countering the narrative of ever-increasing environmental impact. pic.twitter.com/E9d9kAGxK5

— da-ri (@dari_org) August 12, 2024

Bitcoin mining emissions

Batten also disputed the IMF’s use of discredited sources and hypothetical models, which he claims distort the true environmental impact of Bitcoin mining. 

According to Batten, independent data reveals that Bitcoin’s share of global electricity use and carbon dioxide emissions will decrease by 2027, contrary to IMF projections.

In his tweet, the advocate called for more honest and accurate research, emphasizing the growing scientific consensus that Bitcoin mining has significant environmental benefits. Batten warns that the IMF’s report, as it stands, is misleading and not a reliable resource for policymakers.