Miami Mayor Wants City to Become Bitcoin Mining Hub

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez has expressed his desire for the city to 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” as “90% of it is done in countries that have dirty energy.”
• Suarez said he would love for Miami to be 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 as 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 give city employees the option of getting paid in it.
• The city’s commissioners voted to study the use of crypto before proceeding.

See also: Miami Mayor Previews ‘Favorable’ Crypto Policy