PayPal 推出「綠色挖礦」計劃，推動比特幣清潔能源的未來

PayPal 的區塊鏈研究小組提出了一種透過加密經濟激勵和驗證平台促進永續比特幣挖礦的解決方案。透過識別和獎勵優先考慮低碳能源的“綠色礦工”，該計劃旨在加速比特幣挖礦的清潔能源轉型。

PayPal Proposes 'Green Mining' Initiative to Accelerate Bitcoin's Clean Energy Transition

PayPal提出「綠色採礦」計畫以加速比特幣的清潔能源轉型

The blockchain research division of payments behemoth PayPal has unveiled a bold proposal that aims to propel Bitcoin mining into the realm of sustainability. Joining forces with non-profit Energy Web and Bitcoin mining industry leader DMG Blockchain Solutions, PayPal's Blockchain Research Group has presented a groundbreaking research paper outlining the "Green Mining Initiative." This ingenious solution harnesses the power of cryptoeconomics to incentivize miners towards adopting low-carbon energy sources, paving the way for a greener Bitcoin mining landscape.

支付巨頭 PayPal 的區塊鏈研究部門宣布了一項大膽的提議，旨在推動比特幣挖礦進入永續發展領域。 PayPal 的區塊鏈研究小組與非營利 Energy Web 和比特幣採礦業領導者 DMG Blockchain Solutions 聯手，提交了一份突破性的研究論文，概述了「綠色採礦計畫」。這個巧妙的解決方案利用加密經濟學的力量來激勵礦工採用低碳能源，為更綠色的比特幣採礦環境鋪路。

Unveiling the Green Miner Oasis

揭開綠色礦工綠洲的面紗

At the heart of the "Green Mining Initiative" lies a meticulous process to identify and reward "green miners" who demonstrate a commitment to sustainable practices. Energy Web's "Green Proofs for Bitcoin" platform serves as a trusted validation platform, allowing miners to showcase their utilization of renewable energy sources. These certified green miners then share their public keys, which are linked to a multisig payout address.

「綠色礦業倡議」的核心是一個細緻的流程，旨在識別和獎勵那些致力於永續實踐的「綠色礦工」。 Energy Web 的「比特幣綠色證明」平台作為一個值得信賴的驗證平台，讓礦工展示他們對再生能源的利用。然後，這些經過認證的綠色礦工共享他們的公鑰，這些公鑰連結到多重簽名支付地址。

Prioritizing Green Transactions

優先考慮綠色交易

To ensure that Bitcoin transactions are preferentially routed to green miners, PayPal's proposed solution employs a clever routing mechanism. On-chain transactions with nominal transaction fees are broadcast, accompanied by an additional UTXO (unspent transaction output) attached to the multisig payout address. This additional UTXO holds a predetermined amount of Bitcoin, effectively incentivizing green miners to prioritize these "green transactions" in their block-building process.

為了確保比特幣交易優先路由到綠色礦工，PayPal提出的解決方案採用了巧妙的路由機制。具有名義交易費用的鏈上交易被廣播，並附有附加到多重簽名支付地址的額外 UTXO（未花費的交易輸出）。這些額外的 UTXO 持有預定數量的比特幣，有效激勵綠色礦工在區塊建立過程中優先考慮這些「綠色交易」。

Rewarding Green Miners

獎勵綠色礦工

Green miners who successfully identify and include the "green transaction" in a block can expect a substantial reward. Alongside the standard Bitcoin block reward, they receive the additional BTC reward set aside in the multisig payout address. Moreover, to guarantee that only bona fide green miners reap the benefits, the additional Bitcoin reward is released only if they also include a "redeem transaction" that unlocks their access to the reward.

成功識別並將「綠色交易」包含在區塊中的綠色礦工可以獲得豐厚的獎勵。除了標準的比特幣區塊獎勵之外，他們還獲得多重簽名支付地址中預留的額外比特幣獎勵。此外，為了確保只有真正的綠色礦工才能獲得收益，只有當他們還包含解鎖他們獲得獎勵的「兌換交易」時，才會釋放額外的比特幣獎勵。

Combating Bitcoin's Environmental Footprint

對抗比特幣的環境足跡

Bitcoin's environmental impact has emerged as a contentious issue, drawing scrutiny from environmental advocacy groups. Critics argue that the cryptocurrency's proof-of-work consensus mechanism, which relies on energy-intensive computational processes, drives up fossil fuel consumption.

比特幣對環境的影響已成為一個有爭議的問題，引起了環保倡導團體的密切關注。批評者認為，加密貨幣的工作量證明共識機制依賴能源密集型運算過程，增加了化石燃料的消耗。

In response to these concerns, the "Green Mining Initiative" proposes a pioneering solution that incentivizes miners to embrace renewable energy sources. By aligning economic rewards with environmental responsibility, the initiative aims to foster a sustainable future for Bitcoin mining.

針對這些擔憂，「綠色礦業倡議」提出了一項開創性的解決方案，激勵礦工採用再生能源。透過將經濟回報與環境責任結合起來，該倡議旨在為比特幣挖礦創造一個可持續的未來。

Proof of Work: A Double-Edged Sword

工作量證明：一把雙面刃

Bitcoin proponents, however, maintain that proof-of-work mining can play a paradoxical role in promoting renewable energy adoption. By utilizing surplus energy during off-peak hours, miners can stabilize energy grids and contribute to the transition towards renewable energy sources.

然而，比特幣支持者認為，工作量證明挖礦在促進再生能源的採用方面可能發揮著矛盾的作用。透過在非尖峰時段利用剩餘能源，礦工可以穩定電網並為向再生能源的過渡做出貢獻。

Cornell University researchers, in a 2023 study, suggest that BTC mining can accelerate the shift to renewables by consuming excess energy during the pre-commercial phase of renewable energy projects, before they are fully integrated into the grid.

康乃爾大學的研究人員在 2023 年的一項研究中表明，BTC 挖礦可以透過在再生能源專案完全併入電網之前的預商業階段消耗多餘的能源來加速向再生能源的轉變。

Navigating the Energy Consumption Conundrum

解決能源消耗難題

Determining the precise energy consumption of the Bitcoin network remains a complex challenge. Different studies employ varying methodologies, leading to a range of estimates. To address this issue, the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance implemented a significant update to its Bitcoin Energy Consumption Index in September 2023. The revised estimates indicate that previous estimations of the network's power consumption were likely inflated.

確定比特幣網路的精確能耗仍然是一個複雜的挑戰。不同的研究採用不同的方法，從而得出一系列的估計值。為了解決這個問題，劍橋另類金融中心於 2023 年 9 月對其比特幣能源消耗指數進行了重大更新。

Conclusion: A Path Towards Sustainable Bitcoin Mining

結論：永續比特幣挖礦之路

PayPal's "Green Mining Initiative" represents a transformative step towards a more sustainable Bitcoin mining ecosystem. By leveraging cryptoeconomic incentives, the initiative empowers green miners and encourages the adoption of renewable energy sources. This innovative approach paves the way for a future where Bitcoin mining not only drives financial innovation but also contributes to a cleaner, greener planet.

PayPal 的「綠色挖礦計畫」代表著朝著更永續的比特幣挖礦生態系統邁出的變革性一步。透過利用加密經濟激勵措施，該計劃賦予綠色礦工權力，並鼓勵採用再生能源。這種創新方法為未來鋪平了道路，比特幣挖礦不僅能推動金融創新，還能為建立一個更清潔、更綠色的星球做出貢獻。