Bitcoin Energy Consumption To Decline As It Hit $100K, $500k, $2M By 2040, Here’s Why

Bitcoin energy consumption in the future depends massively on the future Bitcoin (BTC) price, according to an analysis by Arcane Research. If the BTC price reaches $2 million by 2040, Bitcoin energy consumption may hit 894 TWh per year. However, if the BTC price reaches $500,000 by 2040, Bitcoin will consume only 223 TWh per year. This is nearly double the current energy consumption, despite a 20x increase in the BTC price.

Bitcoin Energy Consumption Depends Massively on the BTC Price

Jared Mellerud, an analyst at Arcane Research, in a series of tweets on August 23 shared data on the Bitcoin energy consumption in 2040 and how the BTC price massively impacts energy consumption in the future.

Bitcoin’s future energy consumption depends majorly on the BTC price, transaction fees, percentage of miner revenue spent on energy, and average energy price.

If the BTC price reaches $2 million by 2040, the energy consumption will be 894 TWh per year. This is a 10x increase from current levels. Also, Bitcoin may contribute 0.36% of estimated global energy consumption in 2040, higher than the 0.05% share presently.

However, if Bitcoin fails to have a bullish rally and the price hit $500,000 by 2040 due to Bitcoin halving and positive developments. Then, the energy consumption will be 223 TWh per year, slightly more than double the current level.

Interestingly, the energy consumption will “halve to 45 TWh per year or 0.02% of the global energy consumption” under a bearish scenario. The Bitcoin (BTC) price will at least hit $100k by 2040 because of halving.

Moreover, Bitcoin’s future energy use will also depend on transaction fees. At $100k, the energy consumption increases by 7 TWh for each extra 0.1 BTC in transaction fees per block.

Similarly, Bitcoin’s share of the global energy consumption will be 0.36% if the BTC price reaches $2 million by 2040 and transaction fees remain stable.

“A massive increase from today’s 0.05%, but still far below the doomsday estimates provided by certain Bitcoin critics.”

However, the energy consumption will still be below the 2% energy consumption share of the cement production industry. Cement production consumes 4,238 TWh of global energy consumption.

Will BTC Price Hit Such High Levels

The Bitcoin (BTC) price hit an ATH of $68,789 amid massive adoption. Currently, the price is trading in the $21k-25k range, but it is likely to rise due to bitcoin halving.

Bitcoin mining will become a significant energy consumption area only if the BTC price reaches a few million dollars. The BTC price depends on the market demand, while transaction fees depend on its usage as a medium of exchange.

Spending 0.36% of energy on future technologies that provide security, safety, values, and speed is more than worth it.