AI data center gold rush sparks debate over impact on Bitcoin

There’s a new debate over whether a continued pivot from Bitcoin miners to artificial intelligence could have an impact on Bitcoin security and its role as a store of value. 

While some argue that miners fleeing the network would leave it more susceptible to a “51% attack,” others argue it will simply trigger the Bitcoin network to rebalance itself as designed, making it enticing for miners again.

“AI has killed Bitcoin forever,” said crypto trader Ran Neuner on Sunday, arguing that it has become Bitcoin mining’s biggest competitor because both industries compete for electricity.

“AI is willing to pay much more for it,” he added, explaining that Bitcoin (BTC) mining revenue per megawatt is around $57 to $129, but AI data center revenue per megawatt is up to eight times higher at $200 to $500 for the same electricity, which is why miners are starting to pivot.

Earlier this month, Core Scientific secured up to $1 billion in credit for AI hosting, MARA Holdings recently filed with the SEC to signal its intent to sell some of its BTC in an AI pivot and Hut 8 signed a $7 billion AI infrastructure agreement with Google in December, argued Neuner.

Meanwhile, Cipher Mining cut its hashrate to focus on AI compute, and Bitmain cofounder Jihan Wu has stopped mining and pivoted to AI, he added.

“So if I were a miner, it wouldn’t be a tough decision. And that’s why every day more and more miners are leaving the network.” 

It sounds like a doomsday scenario for Bitcoin, but not everyone agrees. 

Bitcoin pioneer and cryptographer Adam Back argued that difficulty adjustments would only force the least efficient miners out, and profitability would improve. 

“What happens to Bitcoin is simple: tick tock, next block! Difficult adjusts downwards, the least efficient and AI switchers move out, and Bitcoin mining profitability converges to AI profitability. QED.”

“If AI outbids miners for electricity, miners just turn off until the difficulty adjusts and it’s profitable again, that’s literally how Bitcoin works,” added investor Fred Krueger.

Bitcoin energy demand is variable

However, Neuner argued that falling hashrates, which are down 14.5% since their October peak, mean that there are fewer miners to secure the network, and a higher potential for 51% attacks.

This has all happened before during bear markets, and automatic network difficulty adjustments usually compensate for it, “but this time is different because we don’t have the energy,” he said. 

Bitcoin ESG specialist Daniel Batten disagreed and said it was the other way around, as “the evidence tells us that AI is dependent upon Bitcoin for its expansion.”

It wasn’t all about high demand and expensive power, as Bitcoin mining can use stranded energy, act as a flexible load balancer for energy grids, and use older equipment for cheaper energy, he argued. 

One green candle to prevent AI competition doomsday

Neuner said one way to ensure AI doesn’t overshadow Bitcoin will depend on whether BTC prices go up.

“What I hope is that Bitcoin has one green candle. Maybe because of the war, maybe because of the regulation, who knows? But ultimately, if it has one green candle.” 

“If you’re watching the Bitcoin price action during this war, that’s exactly what’s happening,” he said, adding that the other scenario, where Bitcoin price continues to fall, is “pretty much a Bitcoin doomsday.”

Bitcoin has seen five monthly red candles in a row, something that hasn’t happened since the 2018 bear market. However, March is currently shaping up green with the asset gaining 8% so far this month, according to CoinGlass.