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GPU mining is the use of Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) to "mine" proof-of-work cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin.[1] Miners receive rewards for performing computationally intensive work, such as calculating hashes, that amend and verify transactions on an open and decentralized ledger. GPUs can be especially performant at calculating such hashes.

Concerns about GPU mining

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With the rise of GPU mining for cryptocurrency, there sparked various discussions on the concerns with the usage GPU's for cryptocurrencies for the hardware market, environment, and users.

Environmental concerns

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While central processing units (CPUs) were used to mine cryptocurrency in their earliest days, they were gradually replaced by more performant GPUs.[2] Even so, GPU mining consumes significant amounts of energy to perform their tasks. Unlike gaming PCs, GPU mining rigs usually incorporate multiple GPUs working together, and some miners may use multiple GPU mining rigs. A report by Bloomberg suggested that cryptocurrency miners spent $15 billion on GPUs during the cryptocurrency mining craze since 2021.[3] Meanwhile, statistics suggested that 67% of the electricity powering Bitcoin mining during 2020 and 2021 was generated by fossil energy and that Bitcoin mining produced more than 85.89 metric tons of CO2 during that period.[4]

Security concerns

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Due to the increased demand of GPU mining for cryptocurrency, Cyber criminals have taken interest in hacking into other users' computers with more powerful GPU's to perform small mining tasks. With the use of one of Window's feature called 'Advanced Installer', the hacker gains access to the host's computer where they download installers that will perform a two step process. The first step is scripting a recurring task to decrypt the payload, and the second is enabling crypto miners to profit out of the user's computers. Typically, hackers will perform cryptocurrency mining in the background by limiting the amount of GPU power by 75% allow small yet ample amount of GPU power used for cryptocurrency mining while being undetected.[5][6]

Market impact

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As cryptocurrency miners increased their purchases of GPUs between 2013 and 2017, the prices of GPUs skyrocketed.[7] The increasing demand of GPU mining and purchases caused a worldwide shortage that continued into 2021 until production finally caught up in 2023,[8][9] With mining firms going bankrupt, increase regulations enforced, and the main cryptocurrencies switching to a "proof of stake" algorithm, the GPU mining for cryptocurrency became highly inefficient to continue sustaining. Resulting in many used GPU's for mining being sold or refurbished back onto the market, stabilizing the market to something similar to the pre-GPU mining boom.[10]

Profitability

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The profit of GPU mining depends on many factors. The first is the amount of cryptocurrency rewards that can be acquired. Take Bitcoin as an example. Its system is pre-programmed to halve the Bitcoin rewards offered every four years or after every 210,000 blocks mined.[11] While the original block reward was 50 bitcoins per block, it has decreased to 6.25 bitcoins every block in May 2020.[11] A second would be the computational power of a GPU, different GPU's hold different computational power that might be more advantageous for the miner to prioritize. With each new generation housing better chips equipped with increased clocked processing speeds, hashrates, and lower power usage.[12] Similarly, the cost of electricity to house the GPU miners can factor the profitability as various areas price electricity differently and different options are available like fossil fuels or renewable energy.[13]

History

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  • 2009: Bitcoin just released its coin to the market mined only with the CPU.
  • In October 2010, Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) mining devices first came about. This was made possible with the creation of Bitcoin mining software for GPUs that configure GPUs for the mining activities.[14]
  • June 2017, Hong-Kong based Sapphire Technology became the first firm that produced GPUs tailored specifically for GPU mining. Many of the GPUs did not have display functions and could only be used for mining.[15]
  • Around 2013 and 2017 respectively, the prices of GPUs skyrocketed amid GPU mining craze.[7]
  • In May 2021, China officially banned all crypto mining including GPU mining, amid concerns for the environment and economy.[16]
  • Around March 2022, Bitcoin dipped from around $46,000 to $20,000 within a couple of months. Calling a cause for concerns about cryptocurrency.[17]
  • In September 2022, Ethereum finished the transition from “Proof of Work” to “Proof of Stake” algorithm, which made it impossible for using GPUs to mine cryptocurrencies.[18]
  • In early January 2023, Mining companies started refactoring their systems to house AI computation.[19]

References

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  1. ^ McFadden, Christopher (2023-03-13). "GPU mining 101: a short guide on crypto-mining using graphics cards". interestingengineering.com. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
  2. ^ Shuaib, Mohammed; Badotra, Sumit; Khalid, Muhammad Irfan; Algarni, Abeer D.; Ullah, Syed Sajid; Bourouis, Sami; Iqbal, Jawaid; Bharany, Salil; Gundaboina, Lokesh (January 2022). "A Novel Optimization for GPU Mining Using Overclocking and Undervolting". Sustainability. 14 (14): 8708. doi:10.3390/su14148708. hdl:11250/3029400. ISSN 2071-1050.
  3. ^ Mujtaba, Hassan (2022-06-19). "Crypto Miners, Not Gamers, Were The Primary Buyers of Graphics Cards Since 2021, Almost $15 Billion Worth of GPU Sales Reported". Wccftech. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  4. ^ Chamanara, Sanaz; Ghaffarizadeh, S. Arman; Madani, Kaveh (24 October 2023). "The Environmental Footprint of Bitcoin Mining Across the Globe: Call for Urgent Action". Earth's Future. 11 (10). doi:10.1029/2023EF003871. ISSN 2328-4277.
  5. ^ "Windows cryptomining attacks target graphic designer's high-powered GPUs". BleepingComputer. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  6. ^ Mascellino, Alessandro (2023-09-08). "Cyber-criminals Exploit GPUs in Graphic Design Software". Infosecurity Magazine. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  7. ^ a b Joel, Hruska. "Cryptocurrency Craze Sends GPU Prices Skyrocketing -- Again". Extremetech.
  8. ^ "The GPU shortage is over, but it's still wreaking havoc". Digital Trends. 2023-12-20. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  9. ^ Brown, Abram. "The War Between Gamers And Cryptominers—And The Scarce Global Resource That Sparked It". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  10. ^ Jorge Jimenez (2023-01-26). "Oh great, crypto miners are selling repainted GPUs and passing them off as new". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  11. ^ a b Singh, Navdeep (2024-02-19). "Understanding Bitcoin Halving: A key event for Bitcoin investors". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  12. ^ Jarred Walton (2021-04-05). "Graphics Card Power Consumption and Efficiency Tested". Tom's Hardware. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  13. ^ "Renewable Sources and How They Helping the Crypto Mining Industry". Prismecs. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  14. ^ Bedford Taylor, Michael (2017). "The Evolution of Bitcoin Hardware". Computer. 50 (9): 58–66. doi:10.1109/MC.2017.3571056. ISSN 0018-9162.
  15. ^ Paul Lilly (2017-06-26). "Sapphire is first to market with graphics cards specific for mining". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  16. ^ "Bitcoin mining is worse for the environment now since China banned it". euronews. 2022-02-26. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
  17. ^ Smith, Josh Kirby, Hannah. "Is bitcoin going to crash again?". Times Money Mentor. Retrieved 2024-03-02.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ "GPU Mining for Ethereum Ends as 'The Merge' Completes". PCMag Australia. 2022-09-15. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
  19. ^ "The 2024 Shift: How Cryptocurrency Mining Companies Are Adapting to AI Computation". ZhenChainMicro. Retrieved 2024-08-12.
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