'Green' cryptocurrency uses 18 times more energy than makers claim

April 30, 2026 - 18:30

A cryptocurrency marketed as an eco-friendly alternative to bitcoin is consuming 18 times more energy than its developers have publicly stated. The digital currency, designed to sidestep the massive power demands that plague major blockchains like bitcoin, has come under scrutiny after independent analysis revealed the true scale of its electricity usage.

The discrepancy was uncovered by researchers who measured the actual power draw of the network's mining hardware. While the project's official figures suggest a relatively modest energy footprint, real-world data shows the system is far more energy-intensive. The gap appears to stem from outdated assumptions about the efficiency of the computers running the network, as well as a failure to account for cooling and other operational overheads.

Developers behind the project acknowledged the findings and said they are working on upgrades to bring energy consumption down significantly. They pointed to upcoming software changes that could cut power use by more than half, though they did not provide a timeline for when those improvements would take effect. The company also noted that even at current levels, the cryptocurrency remains far less damaging than bitcoin, which consumes as much electricity as some small countries.

Environmental advocates have grown increasingly skeptical of claims made by so-called green cryptocurrencies. Many projects have faced similar accusations of underreporting energy use, often relying on theoretical models rather than real-world measurements. Critics argue that without independent verification, such claims amount to little more than greenwashing.

The findings highlight a broader challenge for the crypto industry as it tries to shake off its reputation as an environmental menace. As regulators and investors push for greater transparency, projects that fail to back up their sustainability promises may find themselves facing a credibility crisis. For now, the developers of this particular currency have promised to publish more accurate data and to accelerate their efficiency efforts.