Bitcoin mining continues to serve as the foundation of the cryptocurrency ecosystem. Across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) area, plentiful hydropower resources, natural gas reserves, and excess energy supplies generate both possibilities and tensions.
The region presents opportunities for eco-friendly mining (“green hash”) but contends with elevated power expenses and inconsistent regulations. For international investors, APAC-based Bitcoin miners have become focal points in discussions surrounding energy consumption, operational openness, and financial inclusion.
Recent Developments – By July 2025, Bitdeer increased its hydro-powered mining infrastructure in Bhutan beyond 1,200MW, establishing the nation as a sustainable mining hotspot. Marathon Digital and Zero Two launched a 200MW facility in Abu Dhabi featuring immersion cooling, demonstrating how innovative temperature control and flare-gas utilization enable mining in harsh environments. Concurrently, Iris Energy in Australia achieved 50EH/s, illustrating APAC miners’ ability to compete with North American and European counterparts.
Historical Perspective – According to the Cambridge Bitcoin Mining Map, following China’s 2021 regulatory clampdown, mining operations redistributed across APAC nations, though covert activities within China endure. Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation energy forecasts indicate increasing renewable energy adoption, potentially enabling mining to support decarbonization efforts with appropriate policy frameworks.
Bitcoin Mining by Country 2025. Source: World Population Review
In-Depth Review – China’s mining landscape remains unclear. Despite official restrictions, hidden hydro-powered operations in Sichuan and decentralized small-scale facilities continue operating. The 2025 Cambridge Digital Mining Industry Report notes unrecorded activity in China, creating challenges for accurately evaluating global hash rate distribution and centralized risks.
Surpassing expectations, China persists in contributing over 21% of worldwide hash power post-ban. This resilience stems from clandestine hydro-based projects in Sichuan, scattered low-profile mining setups, and utilities discreetly offloading excess energy. Though Beijing officially prohibits mining, authorities seem to unofficially permit a covert industry, introducing substantial uncertainties to global market analyses.
In Japan, steep energy prices restrict local mining growth. However, companies like SBI Crypto and GMO manage offshore renewable-powered facilities. Domestically, SoftBank’s 300MW Hokkaido data center highlights overlaps between AI infrastructure and mining-level power consumption. Partnerships like PTS’s three-year telecom-grade hash rate supply agreements reveal consistent institutional demand.
South Korea probes energy network synergies. A May 2025 arXiv paper proposes leveraging Bitcoin mining to monetize surplus electricity, potentially aiding KEPCO in debt reduction and grid optimization. This approach reimagines mining as a stabilizing mechanism rather than an energy drain.
Bhutan’s collaboration with Bitdeer exemplifies how regional players can promote eco-conscious mining to draw ESG-focused investments. Abu Dhabi’s immersion-cooled site highlights flare-gas utilization and infrastructure innovation for extreme environments. Australia’s Iris Energy adopts a dual-strategy, merging renewable-powered mining with AI services to span digital economies. These examples reveal APAC miners adopting adaptable, multifaceted, and sustainability-oriented models.
Operational Dynamics – APAC operators juggle regional governance and global compliance demands. Japan and South Korea prioritize grid harmonization over sheer capacity. Bhutan emphasizes environmental branding, whereas China’s covert operations spark transparency issues. Nations like the UAE and Australia capitalize on energy resources to attract institutional funding and reduce operational expenses.
Global Implications – Institutional backers insist on rigorous reporting. While U.S.-listed miners gain confidence through SEC compliance and market access, APAC entities must navigate varied regulatory systems. Should Asian miners achieve ESG-aligned transparency, investment patterns may shift toward greater regional balance.
Future Projections – By 2026, APAC miners could rival Western counterparts by merging operational efficiency with verified reporting. Success hinges on adopting next-gen ASIC technology, aligning with renewable grids, and developing regional disclosure norms to alleviate investor concerns.
Statistical Insights—CCAF’s 2025 analysis notes efficiency improvements and geographic redistribution of mining operations. APAC Energy Outlook reports emphasize how shifting energy patterns may alter mining’s economic and environmental dynamics.
Potential Challenges –
Industry Perspectives –
“Policy instability poses the greatest threat to Asian miners. Uncertainty elevates financing costs and deters international capital.”
— Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, Digital Mining Industry Report 2025
“Our Abu Dhabi project exemplifies how cutting-edge cooling and flare-gas usage can transform operational viability in extreme conditions.”
— Marathon Digital Holdings, press release
“Mining-based energy monetization offers utilities a path to fiscal improvement and grid reliability enhancement.”
— ArXiv study, Bitcoin Mining and Grid Efficiency in Korea (May 2025)
The post APAC Bitcoin Mining Goes Green Despite China Underground Activity appeared first on BeInCrypto.
Source: cryptonews.net
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