Tyler Winklevoss：美國的數位貨幣不會讓比特幣過時

Tyler Winklevoss：美國的數位貨幣不會讓比特幣過時

Gemini 加密貨幣 交易所聯合創始人Tyler Winklevoss在推特中表示，美國的 數位貨幣 不會讓 比特幣 過時，就像 美元 讓黃金過時一樣。如果有的話， 美元 和傑羅姆-鮑威爾無休止地印製 美元 ，使得 比特幣 更有必要。

How Tyler Winklevoss plans to go green with Bitcoin

For assets you can’t actually hold, cryptos use a whole lot of energy.

Bitcoin (CRYTPO: BTC) is in the green in more ways than one.

Firstly, the price is up 2% over the past 24 hours, to US$35,234 (AU$46,979). That brings the token’s year-to-date gains back above 23%, according to data from CoinDesk.

Not bad, for investors who can stomach the wild volatility.

Secondly, the green light is on Bitcoin in regards to cutting its rocketing carbon footprint.

One heck of a carbon footprint

Bitcoin mining – verifying blockchain transactions and mining new tokens – uses a tremendous amount of energy. As much as all of the Netherlands, by recent estimates.

In a world that’s focused on decarbonising to limit potential global warming, being an energy hog isn’t a good look. Media attention – spurred by Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA) founder Elon Musk – of its huge carbon footprint is one reason Bitcoin’s price has come under pressure in recent months.

It’s also why some crypto miners are hoping to charge a 10% premium for Bitcoin that can be blockchain verified to have been mined by computers using only renewable energy.

Taking a different track…

Tyler Winklevoss has plans for green Bitcoin

Tyler Winklevoss is perhaps still best known for his legal stoush (alongside his twin brother Cameron) accusing Mark Zuckerberg of stealing their idea to launch Facebook, Inc. (NASDAQ: FB). A case which was eventually settled in 2008 with Zuckerberg paying out a large sum of money to the twins.

In more recent times Winklevoss has invested heavily in Bitcoin. He’s currently the CEO of Gemini, the crypto exchange platform he founded.

And Gemini aims to make its Bitcoin usage climate friendly via a new endeavour called Gemini Green.

How?

According to the media release, Gemini is working with Climate Vault, a non-profit entity founded at the University of Chicago in the United States. The intent is to eliminate some 350,000 tonnes of CO2 related to Bitcoin’s use, from the atmosphere.

Gemini Green will do this by buying carbon permits, through Climate Vault, directly from government-regulated cap-and-trade markets. These permits will then be removed from the market, which will reduce the total amount of carbon permits available.

Discussing the initiative, Tyler Winklevoss said:

As Bitcoin emerges as a dominant store of value, it’s imperative that we incorporate sustainability for future generations. We are proud to team up with Climate Vault to offset our exposure to non-renewable mining and contribute to the decarbonising of Bitcoin.

Michael Greenstone, co-founder of Climate Vault added, “Climate Vault is providing a simpler, faster, and more reliable path to net-zero emissions, not just for traditional businesses, but now – thanks to Gemini – for the innovative world of cryptocurrency.”

The Winklevoss twins' crypto exchange bought $4 million in credits to offset carbon emissions

Gemini

Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss' crypto exchange bought $4 million in carbon offsets, according to Bloomberg.

The offsets target carbon emissions stemming from Gemini’s wallet technology.

“We are proud to team up with Climate Vault to offset our exposure to non-renewable mining and contribute to the decarbonizing of bitcoin.”

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Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss' crypto exchange Gemini bought $4 million in carbon offsets and pledged to continue to purchase more until bitcoin runs fully on renewable power, according to Bloomberg.

Gemini bought the offsets from Climate Vault, a University of Chicago-based nonprofit that buys carbon emission permits from regulated cap-and-trade systems, which exist in places like the EU, Canada, and California.

Because permits are bought and then removed from the cap-and-trade systems, each purchase should represent an emissions reduction. The Winklevosses' $4 million offset will remove around 341,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, according to Bloomberg.

“We are proud to team up with Climate Vault to offset our exposure to non-renewable mining and contribute to the decarbonizing of bitcoin,” Tyler Winklevoss said in a statement from the company.

The offsets target carbon emissions stemming from Gemini’s wallet technology, storing cryptocurrencies in short-term “hot” storage or long-term “cold” storage. It is part of the exchange’s broader initiative, called Gemini Green, to work climate-conscious practices into its operations.

“We are just playing our part to address the ESG conversation and component of bitcoin that a lot of people have heard about,” Tyler Winklevoss told Bloomberg. “[Customers] can come to Gemini and use Gemini Green custody, and they can fulfill their ESG mandates.”

The move looks intent on assuaging Gemini customers - especially institutions - that their crypto trading does not conflict with their ESG goals.