How US and Pakistan Are Tapping Surplus Energy for Strategic Bitcoin Mining

USA: Debates on Strategic Bitcoin Mining Intensify

The United States is currently at the center of a heated debate regarding its future involvement in Bitcoin mining and the expansion of its strategic crypto reserves. According to FinanzNachrichten.de, the US government, under President Donald Trump, has decided to focus on a strategic crypto reserve, primarily Bitcoin. However, Trump has publicly stated that he does not wish to use taxpayer money to purchase additional BTC tokens. Any government purchase of BTC would also require congressional approval, which is considered unlikely.

Fred Thiel, CEO of Marathon Digital Holdings, proposed at the "Bitcoin 2025" conference in Las Vegas that the US could leverage its surplus hydropower for Bitcoin mining. Thiel described this as a "budget-neutral acquisition strategy" that could expand the strategic crypto reserve without direct government spending. He emphasized the importance of sustainable energy in mining, noting that the US already hosts several Bitcoin farms utilizing excess resources from oil production to operate more sustainably.

Currently, the US holds approximately 198,000 BTC in its strategic reserve, valued at about $21 billion, primarily from criminal seizures. Whether these reserves will grow remains uncertain, but Thiel’s proposal could offer a path forward, especially as Bitcoin’s supply tightens after each halving event. Industry leaders like Arthur Hayes predict that Bitcoin’s price could surpass $1 million in the coming years, potentially benefiting both investors and holders of related tokens such as BTC Bull ($BTCBULL).

US Strategic BTC Reserve	Estimated Value
198,000 BTC	$21 billion

US government currently not planning direct BTC purchases.
Proposal to use surplus hydropower for mining as a budget-neutral strategy.
Potential for significant price increases due to supply constraints.

Summary: The US is exploring ways to expand its Bitcoin reserves, with mining using surplus energy emerging as a leading strategy. The outcome could have major implications for the global crypto market. (Source: FinanzNachrichten.de)

Industry and Political Proposals for US Bitcoin Mining

Speculation is mounting about the US government’s potential direct involvement in Bitcoin mining, as reported by investx.fr. The US already accounts for about 36% of the global Bitcoin network’s hash power, thanks to major players like Marathon Digital Holdings. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick recently stated that the US intends to "turbocharge Bitcoin mining in America."

Fred Thiel, CEO of Marathon, advocates for using surplus renewable and nuclear energy to mine Bitcoin on a large scale, converting unused energy into a strategic digital asset and strengthening the country’s economic resilience. Senator Cynthia Lummis has suggested selling part of the US gold reserves to acquire Bitcoin, thus avoiding the use of public funds.

The US government’s current Bitcoin holdings stand at 198,000 BTC (valued at $21 billion), while US mining companies produce about 164,000 BTC annually. A government mining initiative could close the gap between private production and public reserves, potentially increasing demand and driving up prices. Environmental concerns remain, but the use of renewables could mitigate criticism. Notably, a 31% increase in Bitcoin mining energy usage in Texas coincided with an 80% drop in electricity prices, according to Pierre Rochard, VP of Riot Platforms.

US Share of Global Hash Power	Annual BTC Production (US Miners)	US Government BTC Holdings
36%	164,000 BTC	198,000 BTC

Proposals include using surplus energy and selling gold reserves for BTC acquisition.
Potential for increased government involvement to impact global crypto dynamics.
Environmental and financial implications are under debate.

Summary: The US is considering various strategies to increase its Bitcoin reserves, with both industry and political leaders advocating for active government participation in mining and asset diversification. (Source: investx.fr)

Pakistan Allocates 2,000 MW for Bitcoin Mining and AI Data Centers

Pakistan has announced a major initiative to allocate 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity for the first phase of a national plan supporting Bitcoin mining and AI data centers, according to Vietnam.vn. This move addresses the country’s paradox of excess generation capacity and high electricity prices. Pakistan’s installed power capacity stands at 46.2 GW, but electricity consumption is declining, with industrial usage down by 11%. As a result, capacity payments to power producers have surged by 46% to 1.9 trillion PKR, even though plants are not operating at full capacity.

Pakistan ranks third globally in the Global Cryptocurrency Adoption Index, and this strategy aims to turn surplus energy into innovation, investment, and international revenue. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb highlighted that this allocation marks a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s digital transformation, positioning the country as a potential global data hub due to its strategic location between Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Allocated Power for Mining & AI	Installed Power Capacity	Industrial Power Usage Decline	Capacity Payments
2,000 MW	46.2 GW	-11%	1.9 trillion PKR (+46%)

Pakistan leverages excess electricity for digital industries.
Strategic move to boost economic development and digital transformation.
Country ranks third in global crypto adoption.

Summary: Pakistan’s allocation of 2,000 MW for Bitcoin mining and AI data centers is a strategic effort to utilize surplus energy, drive digital innovation, and position itself as a global data hub. (Source: Vietnam.vn)

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