Paradigm: Mining Uses 0.23% of Global Energy, Stabilizes Grids
Crypto investment firm Paradigm issued a report on February 15, 2026, arguing that U.S. policy efforts to rein in Bitcoin mining are misguided. The firm, which holds an investment in mining company Genesis Digital Assets, contends that the industry's fundamental economics provide stability to energy grids. The business model requires access to exceptionally cheap power, often found in off-peak renewable sources that might otherwise go unused. Miners can also curtail operations during periods of high demand, releasing power back to the public.
The report directly counters claims of excessive energy use by citing data that Bitcoin mining accounts for approximately 0.23% of global energy consumption and 0.08% of carbon emissions. Paradigm asserts that this dynamic creates a symbiotic relationship with power infrastructure, rather than a parasitic one.
This means that by its very nature, Bitcoin mining counter-balances the bulk of the average community’s energy consumption, bringing equilibrium to the grid — not strain.
US Lawmakers Propose Bills Targeting Data Center Power Usage
Paradigm's report is a direct response to a growing legislative offensive targeting the energy footprint of large-scale computing. U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Josh Hawley recently introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at preventing data centers from increasing electricity costs for consumers. While not explicitly naming crypto, such operations could easily fall under the bill's definition of a "data center."
This federal action follows a November letter from several Democratic senators to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) demanding "immediate action" to protect consumers from rising energy costs fueled by AI and crypto mining. The policy pressure extends beyond Washington, with New York state lawmakers considering a data-center moratorium and British Columbia, Canada, moving to halt new crypto mining connections to its grid in October.
