Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum Classic: Surprising Consumption Stats and Energy Transition
卤 point to the urgent need for cryptocurrencies to find more sustainable energy sources.
The latest data reveals the vast amounts of electricity consumed by major cryptocurrencies, highlighting the need for a greener approach.
Energy Consumption of Cryptocurrencies
At the top of the ranking, not surprising, we find Bitcoin (BTC). Despite the years and technical progress, the king of cryptocurrencies also remains the king of electricity consumption. In 2025, its network alone consumed about 176 TWh per year, according to the latest estimates by Cambridge Center for Alternative Finance. To give an idea, this is roughly equivalent to the annual consumption of a country like Sweden.
Litecoin (LTC), for its part, also works under POW with a different algorithm (SCRYPT), but its network displays a much lower volume of activity. Result: estimated consumption at 3,2 TWh per year. It is significantly lower than the king of cryptocurrencies, but this remains notable. At the scale of a small country or industry, this figure may seem heavy, especially when you know that the total value of the Litecoin network remains modest compared to market leaders.
Ethereum Classic (ETC), the direct heir to the old Ethereum model before its transition to proof-of-stake, continues to mine under POW. In 2025, its energy footprint revolved around 1,7 TWh per year. If this consumption may seem marginal, it emphasizes that beyond Bitcoin, certain persistent networks sometimes perceived as secondary continue to use energy-consuming protocols without adopting alternative solutions.
Moving Towards Sustainable Energy
If these figures make you vertigo, it is nevertheless necessary to qualify. In recent years, the cryptocurrency sector has experienced a notable evolution in the way energy is produced and used. A study published in April 2025 by the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance reveals that 52.4% of the energy consumed by Bitcoin’s mining now comes from so-called sustainable sources, including 42.6% renewable energy (hydroelectricity, solar, wind) and 9.8% nuclear energy. In 2022, this share was only 37.6%. A slow, but real progression.
The other key evolution concerns the fall of coal. In 2022, it still represented more than a third of the energy mix of Bitcoin miners. In 2025, its share fell to 8.9%, in favor of natural gas, now 38.2%. If gas remains a fossil energy, its carbon intensity is much lower than that of coal. This energy tilt is the result of the migration of cryptocurrency mining farms to regions where electricity is either greener or less expensive, often both.
The impact of this change is visible in the figures: the annual carbon footprint of the Bitcoin network is now estimated at around 39.8 million tonnes of CO₂, a relative decrease compared to the levels of 2022. This progressive energy transition, although imperfect, is essential for the long-term viability of the ecosystem.
Evergreen Context: The Broader Impact
The cryptocurrency industry has faced significant scrutiny over its environmental impact. For instance, Bitcoin’s energy consumption has often been compared to the energy usage of small countries. Understanding the long-term implications of these consumption trends is crucial, especially with the increasing global focus on sustainability and climate change.
Among the strategies being explored to make cryptocurrencies more eco-friendly is the shift from the energy-intensive Proof of Work (PoW) to Proof of Stake (PoS). Ethereum’s transition is a notable example, signaling a potential pathway for other currencies. Additionally, initiatives to improve the energy efficiency of mining hardware are gaining traction.
Practical Tips for Investors
- Stay informed about the energy policies of cryptocurrencies you invest in. Transparent reporting on energy use and sustainability efforts is key.
- Support initiatives aiming to reduce the carbon footprint of cryptocurrencies, such as PoS implementation and renewable energy projects.
- Encourage your crypto exchanges and wallets to adopt more sustainable practices.
