The Unintended Carbon Consequences of Bitcoin Mining Bans: A Paradox in Environmental Policy

Governments worldwide are implementing Bitcoin mining bans to reduce environmental impact, but these well-intentioned policies may be counterproductive. This research quantifies the environmental effectiveness of mining bans by tracking displaced operations and their carbon emissions. 

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The findings reveal that Bitcoin mining bans in low-emission countries result in a net increase in global carbon emissions through aggravated carbon leakage, as operations migrate to higher carbon intensity regions. The study provides data-driven evidence for why more nuanced regulatory approaches are required for sustainable cryptocurrency governance.