PayPal 推出綠色採礦計畫以因應比特幣的環境影響

PayPal 與 Energy Web 和 DMG Blockchain 合作，為採用清潔能源實踐的比特幣礦工實施激勵措施。綠色礦業倡議旨在透過提供「永續性證明」認證並向使用低碳能源的礦工提供額外的比特幣獎勵來減少對環境的影響，鼓勵向環保的比特幣採礦過渡。

PayPal Embarks on Green Mining Initiative to Mitigate Bitcoin's Environmental Impact

PayPal 啟動綠色採礦計劃，以減輕比特幣對環境的影響

In a significant effort to address the environmental concerns surrounding Bitcoin mining, PayPal has partnered with Energy Web and DMG Blockchain Solutions to implement a groundbreaking incentive mechanism aimed at encouraging miners to adopt sustainable energy sources. This move represents a crucial step towards decarbonizing the Bitcoin network while preserving the integrity of its decentralized and secure architecture.

為了解決圍繞比特幣挖礦的環境問題，PayPal 與 Energy Web 和 DMG Blockchain Solutions 合作實施了一項突破性的激勵機制，旨在鼓勵礦工採用永續能源。此舉代表比特幣網路脫碳的關鍵一步，同時保持其去中心化和安全架構的完整性。

Bitcoin's Energy Conundrum

比特幣的能源難題

Bitcoin's Proof of Work (PoW) consensus mechanism, which ensures the integrity and security of the network, has come under scrutiny due to its reliance on energy-intensive mining operations. As the Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index estimates, Bitcoin mining currently contributes approximately 85 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

比特幣的工作量證明（PoW）共識機制可確保網路的完整性和安全性，但由於其對能源密集型挖礦業務的依賴而受到密切關注。根據劍橋比特幣電力消耗指數估計，比特幣挖礦目前每年排放約 8,500 萬噸二氧化碳。

Recognizing the need to mitigate this environmental footprint while maintaining Bitcoin's viability, PayPal has embraced a pragmatic approach. The company acknowledges that Bitcoin is unlikely to abandon its PoW mechanism in the foreseeable future, necessitating innovative solutions to address its energy consumption.

貝寶認識到需要在保持比特幣生存能力的同時減輕這種環境足跡，因此採取了務實的方法。該公司承認，在可預見的未來，比特幣不太可能放棄其 PoW 機制，因此需要創新的解決方案來解決其能源消耗問題。

Incentivizing Green Miners

激勵綠色礦工

PayPal's Green Mining Initiative, outlined in a detailed report, proposes the utilization of cryptoeconomic incentives to encourage miners to embrace low-carbon energy sources. This mechanism involves the development of a "clean energy validation platform" by Energy Web, a web3 energy infrastructure provider.

貝寶的綠色採礦計畫在一份詳細報告中概述，建議利用加密經濟激勵措施來鼓勵礦工採用低碳能源。該機制涉及web3能源基礎設施供應商Energy Web開發的「清潔能源驗證平台」。

The platform issues "green keys" to Bitcoin miners who demonstrate verifiable proof of utilizing a substantial proportion of low-carbon energy sources in their operations. Miners' eligibility is determined through a comprehensive scoring system.

該平台向比特幣礦工發放“綠色鑰匙”，這些礦工必須出示可驗證的證據，證明在其運營中使用了大量低碳能源。礦工的資格是透過綜合評分系統確定的。

This accreditation enables network participants to designate a portion of validator rewards exclusively to green keyholders, incentivizing miners to join the platform and adopt sustainable practices.

這項認證使網路參與者能夠將一部分驗證者獎勵專門指定給綠色金鑰持有者，從而激勵礦工加入該平台並採用永續實踐。

Preferential Transaction Routing

優先交易路由

To further bolster the adoption of green energy, PayPal has devised a preferential transaction routing mechanism. On-chain transactions are prioritized for routing to green miners by broadcasting them with reduced transaction fees, but with an additional Bitcoin (BTC) reward "locked" in a multi-signature payout address.

為了進一步促進綠色能源的採用，PayPal 設計了優惠交易路由機制。鏈上交易優先路由到綠色礦工，透過以較低的交易費用進行廣播，但額外的比特幣（BTC）獎勵「鎖定」在多重簽名支付地址中。

This mechanism incentivizes green miners to process these transactions since they are the only ones eligible for the extra BTC reward. In contrast, regular miners are discouraged from processing these transactions due to their low transaction fees.

這種機制激勵綠色礦工處理這些交易，因為他們是唯一有資格獲得額外 BTC 獎勵的人。相比之下，由於交易費用較低，普通礦工不鼓勵處理這些交易。

Trial Success

試用成功

PayPal has conducted successful trials in collaboration with DMG Blockchain Solutions, broadcasting low-fee transactions to Bitcoin's mempool during periods of varying on-chain volumes. Results indicate that regular miners either declined or experienced significant delays in validating these transactions, while DMG was able to identify and validate a transaction intended for green key holders.

PayPal 與 DMG 區塊鏈解決方案合作進行了成功的試驗，在鏈上交易量不同的時期向比特幣內存池廣播低費用交易。結果表明，普通礦工要么拒絕驗證這些交易，要么經歷嚴重延遲，而 DMG 能夠識別並驗證針對綠色密鑰持有者的交易。

Long-Term Decarbonization Goal

長期脫碳目標

The Green Mining Initiative aims to catalyze a long-term decarbonization of the Bitcoin network by financially rewarding miners who embrace sustainable energy practices. This approach is expected to reduce Bitcoin's ecological footprint while preserving its fundamental characteristics as a decentralized and secure cryptocurrency.

綠色礦業倡議旨在透過向採用永續能源實踐的礦工提供經濟獎勵，促進比特幣網路的長期脫碳。這種方法預計將減少比特幣的生態足跡，同時保留其作為去中心化和安全加密貨幣的基本特徵。

Positive Market Response

市場反應積極

The partnership has garnered positive attention in the cryptocurrency market, particularly for Energy Web, whose EWT token has experienced a significant surge in value. This indicates the growing appetite among investors for solutions that address the environmental concerns associated with cryptocurrency mining.

此次合作在加密貨幣市場獲得了積極關注，尤其是 Energy Web，其 EWT 代幣的價值大幅飆升。這表明投資者對解決與加密貨幣挖礦相關的環境問題的解決方案的興趣日益濃厚。

Environmental Concerns over Proof of Work

對工作量證明的環境擔憂

The rise of cryptocurrency in recent years has coincided with increasing concerns regarding the energy consumption of PoW networks, particularly Bitcoin. Comparisons have been drawn between Bitcoin's ecological footprint and the carbon emissions of entire countries.

近年來，加密貨幣的興起恰逢人們對 PoW 網路（尤其是比特幣）能源消耗的日益擔憂。人們將比特幣的生態足跡與整個國家的碳排放量進行了比較。

These concerns have drawn criticism from politicians such as U.S. Democratic Senators, international organizations like the International Monetary Fund, and business leaders including Elon Musk and Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger.

這些擔憂引起了美國民主黨參議員等政界人士、國際貨幣基金組織等國際組織以及伊隆馬斯克和英特爾執行長帕特基辛格等商界領袖的批評。

Ethereum's Shift to Proof of Stake

以太坊向權益證明的轉變

Notably, Ethereum, another prominent cryptocurrency, transitioned from PoW to Proof of Stake (PoS) consensus in September 2022, leading to a dramatic reduction in its energy consumption. PoS is a less energy-intensive consensus mechanism that does not require rigorous mining operations.

值得注意的是，另一種著名的加密貨幣以太坊於 2022 年 9 月從 PoW 共識過渡到股權證明（PoS）共識，導致其能源消耗大幅減少。 PoS 是一種能源消耗較低的共識機制，不需要嚴格的挖礦作業。

PayPal's Green Mining Initiative represents a significant step towards addressing the environmental challenges associated with Bitcoin mining. By incentivizing miners to adopt clean energy sources, PayPal and its partners aim to mitigate Bitcoin's ecological footprint while upholding its decentralized and secure nature. This initiative has the potential to reshape the cryptocurrency industry and contribute to a more sustainable future for digital assets.

貝寶的綠色採礦計畫是解決與比特幣採礦相關的環境挑戰的重要一步。透過激勵礦工採用清潔能源，PayPal 及其合作夥伴旨在減輕比特幣的生態足跡，同時維護其去中心化和安全的性質。這項舉措有可能重塑加密貨幣產業，並為數位資產創造更永續的未來做出貢獻。