'Green' cryptocurrency uses 18 times more energy than makers claim

A cryptocurrency that aims to avoid the disastrous energy consumption of bitcoin is actually using 18 times more energy than its makers claim – but it promises improvements are on the way

By Matthew Sparkes

30 April 2026

Chia is a cryptocurrency that relies on empty hard disk space

Andrey Zhuravlev/Alamy

'Green' cryptocurrency uses 18 times more energy than makers claim

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