CRYPTO MINING
Riot Blockchain Sees Growth in Q1 2020 Despite COVID-19 Disruption
Riot Blockchain Inc., one of the few listed public cryptocurrency mining companies in the United States on Nasdaq, reported financial results for Q1 of 2020, which ended on March 31. The company has seen a small growth in its earnings per share during this quarter. Riot Blockchain previously changed its name from Bioptix in 2017 after shifting its focus from biotechnology to Bitcoin mining. The company’s share price skyrocketed to a $38 high in late 2017, which then fell to $110 after Riot was accused of misleading investors by capitalizing on public interest in blockchain to drive up its share price. These claims have been dismissed on the basis that it was not proven that the company’s name was changed to drive up the share price.
New York-Based Power Plant Greenidge Generation Mines $50,000 Worth of Bitcoin on a Daily Basis
Greenidge’s 65,000-square-foot facility was initially built in 1937 as a coal plant before eventually being closed down in 2011. The plant remained dormant for five years before Atlas Holdings, Connecticut-based private equity company, converted it into a natural gas plant in 2016 to generate clean energy. Because of the high power that crypto mining machines use in their operations, countries have initiated stricter measures to discourage miners from conducting their mining activities. Some of these measures involve increased electricity fees, which have compelled most miners to move to other cities with favorable electricity billing.
Tables Turn for Japanese Man After Being Convicted for Secretly Installing a Crypto Mining Program
The Tokyo High Court has dismissed the acquittal of a 32-year-old Japanese man who had been let off the hook by the Yokohama District Court in March 2019 after being accused of unlawfully inserting a cryptocurrency mining program dubbed Coinhive.
Chinese Authorities Pressure Bitcoin Miners to Scale Down Operations
Authorities in Sichuan, China has been reportedly pressuring Bitcoin miners to scale down their operations due to electricity shortages. During the dry season, extending from October to April, the electricity supply drops in the province.
Ukrainian Security Department And Law Enforcement Uncover a Crypto Mining Farm in a Railway Subdivision in Lviv
According to a report, Ukrzaliznytsia has uncovered a hidden cryptocurrency mining farm in the Lviv railway subdivision, which has been making use of the country’s electricity without paying for it. This secret mining company was discovered by Ukrzaliznytsia's security department, in conjunction with law enforcement officials.
Heaven for Bitcoin Miners? Iran Officially Legalizes Crypto Mining
The Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture recently published a statement that the Iranian Economic Commission has approved a mechanism for digital coin mining.