Judge Blocks DOE from Tracking Bitcoin Miners' Energy Use, Siding with Miners' Privacy Concerns
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The Department of Energy wanted to track bitcoin miners' energy use, which now equals 2% of US electricity.
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A judge issued a restraining order blocking the DOE from tracking bitcoin miners, siding with the miners.
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Miners argued the tracking would be burdensome and reveal private business details.
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The judge said the DOE vastly underestimated the tracking burden and miners would likely succeed in a full trial.
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This will make it harder for the DOE to plan for future electricity needs with the rapid growth in bitcoin mining energy use.