Nvidia CEO's New Perspective: Bitcoin is Alchemy That Turns Surplus Energy Into Portable "Money"

“Bitcoin is converting surplus energy and storing it in a new form of currency that you can carry with you and transport anywhere.” This is how NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang recently described the essence of Bitcoin in an interview.

His perspective offers a fresh angle on the long-standing debate over Bitcoin’s energy consumption. Meanwhile, Bitcoin climbed back above $91,000 on the morning of December 8, rising 1.86% in the past 24 hours.

01 A New Perspective from an Industry Leader

As the head of NVIDIA, the world’s leading chip manufacturer, Jensen Huang’s views carry special weight in both the technology and cryptocurrency sectors. In a recent interview, he stated that the essence of Bitcoin is “to extract energy from one location and then make it possible to transport globally.”

This expression differs from the traditional view of Bitcoin mining as mere “energy consumption,” instead redefining it as a process of energy conversion and value storage. Huang believes that Bitcoin mining is actually a mechanism for converting idle or surplus energy into portable value storage.

This perspective has resonated widely within the cryptocurrency industry, as it fundamentally redefines the relationship between Bitcoin and energy.

02 A Panorama of Energy Consumption

According to the Cambridge Digital Mining Industry Report 2025, Bitcoin’s current annual electricity consumption is estimated at 138 TWh, generating approximately 39.8 Mt of CO2 equivalent emissions.

This figure is striking, comparable to the energy consumption of small industrialized countries such as Belgium. However, the report also points out that 52.4% of Bitcoin mining energy now comes from sustainable sources such as renewables and nuclear.

In stark contrast is Ethereum, which, since completing its “Merge” upgrade in September 2022 to move away from proof-of-work, has reduced its energy consumption by about 99.9%.

03 Market Dynamics and Price Performance

As Huang expressed his views, the Bitcoin market also showed positive momentum. As of the morning of December 8, Bitcoin’s price rebounded above $91,114, up 1.86% from the previous trading day.

Market analysts noted that this increase is related to strengthened expectations for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut. Traders are currently pricing in an 88.4% probability of a December Fed rate cut.

Bitcoin’s price volatility has also driven other major tokens. Ethereum rose 2%, BNB increased by 1.32%, SOL rose 0.81%, and ADA increased by 1.50%. During the same period, Bitcoin surged above $91,000, rising 1.63% in the past 24 hours.

04 Technological Evolution and Energy Efficiency

The energy efficiency of Bitcoin mining continues to improve. The latest generation of application-specific integrated circuit miners has increased energy efficiency by 30% compared to previous versions. Advanced thermal management systems such as immersion cooling have reduced cooling energy requirements by 15% to 20%.

Innovations in chip architecture are also advancing, with leading manufacturers implementing 5nm architecture in new devices, further optimizing power consumption. These technological advances are reshaping the energy economics of Bitcoin mining.

In fact, energy costs account for 60% to 80% of mining operational expenses, forming a direct relationship between electricity prices and mining feasibility.

05 Bitcoin’s Role in the Global Energy Transition

Huang’s perspective reveals Bitcoin’s potential role in the global energy transition. Bitcoin mining can serve as a flexible energy load, absorbing surplus renewable energy, especially during wind or solar power peaks.

The regional distribution of global energy consumption shows that Bitcoin mining activity is increasingly concentrated in areas offering favorable electricity prices: North America (especially Texas and Washington), Central Asia, Northern Europe, and South America.

In these regions, Bitcoin mining is forming a symbiotic relationship with local energy infrastructure. For example, mining operations in some parts of Norway and Canada rely entirely on hydropower, setting a precedent for sustainable operations.

Energy experts note that mining operations can even earn additional income by participating in demand response programs for power grids, accounting for about 5% to 15% of total revenue.

Bitcoin Energy Structure and Market Performance Comparison

Below are key data comparisons of Bitcoin’s energy structure and recent market performance, based on the Cambridge 2025 report and December 8 market data:

Energy Consumption and Structure

• Annual electricity consumption: 138 TWh
• Share of sustainable energy: 52.4%
• CO2 emissions: 39.8 Mt

Recent Market Performance (as of December 8)

• Bitcoin price: $91,114
• 24-hour gain: 1.86%
• Ethereum 24-hour gain: 2%
• BNB 24-hour gain: 1.32%

Outlook

When Bitcoin’s price climbed back above $91,000 on the morning of December 8, the global cryptocurrency market’s attention was not entirely captured by price movements. More people are starting to consider the scenario described by Jensen Huang—whether those mining farms distributed around the world are truly performing a modern alchemy of converting surplus energy into liquid value.

According to Cambridge University data, over half of the Bitcoin network’s energy now comes from sustainable sources. Bitcoin, once seen as an “energy consumer,” may be evolving into a flexible demand response unit within the global energy internet, as well as a financing tool for renewable energy development in remote areas.

The boundaries between energy, computing, and finance are blurring amid the roar of mining machines, and this may be just the beginning.