Article
Brochure
Executive Resource
Ext. Publication
VideoPodcast: National Security in the Digital Age – Part Two
Never miss a thing.
Sign up to receive our insights newsletter.
Weaver On-Chain
In part two of National Security in the Digital Age from Weaver: Beyond the Numbers, Weaver On-Chain, co-hosts Tim Savage and Hunter Forsberg continue their discussion with Pierre Rochard, vice president of research at Riot Platforms, and Lee Bratcher, president of the Texas Blockchain Council on the intersection of Bitcoin and national security in the digital age. They explore how Bitcoin mining economics affects national energy infrastructure, Bitcoin miners, the free market dynamics at play and the challenges posed by an evolving grid system.
Key Points:
- Bitcoin’s growing use and energy infrastructure can positively affect national security by stabilizing power grids and providing a means of energy monetization for new development.
- To be economical, bitcoin miners must balance the cost of electricity and the changing price of bitcoin.
- Bitcoin mining is quickly evolving into an commercial-grade commodity business that requires many high level skills
The second segment of the discussion covers how Bitcoin mining and its energy consumption interact with national security frameworks. The conversation outlines the economics behind Bitcoin mining, where the profitability hinges on energy prices, Bitcoin price volatility and mining difficulty adjustments. Rochard highlights that Bitcoin mining operates as a free market where the breakeven point for miners constantly shifts depending on market forces.
“Because Bitcoin mining is permissionless, anyone can mine it, leading to fluctuating breakeven points and an ever-changing dynamic within the energy stack,” said Rochard. A surge in the Bitcoin market has the potential to drive the breakeven point uphill, demonstrating the volatile nature of this balance.
The conversation suggests that while Bitcoin mining is often criticized for its energy intensity, it actually plays a critical role in optimizing energy utilization and helping societies access more energy. Using stranded energy assets for Bitcoin mining encourages infrastructural development, economic growth and human flourishing.
Subscribe and listen to future episodes of Weaver: Beyond the Numbers, Weaver On-Chain, on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
©2025
Podcast