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Ext. PublicationPodcast: National Security in the Digital Age – Part One
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Weaver On-Chain
In the first of a two-part episode of Weaver: Beyond the Numbers, Weaver On-Chain, co-hosts Tim Savage and Hunter Forsberg sit down with industry thought leaders Pierre Rochard, Vice President of Research at Riot Platforms, and Lee Bratcher, President of the Texas Blockchain Council, to discuss the intersection of bitcoin mining and national security. This episode delves deep into Bitcoin’s role in modern statecraft, particularly its implications for national security and energy independence.
Key Points:
- Bitcoin is evolving into a tool for ensuring economic and energy stability in the U.S., making it an essential component of modern statecraft.
- Large-scale Bitcoin mining operations are changing the way energy is consumed, challenging the misconception that mining strains the energy grid.
- The work of Bitcoin advocacy groups like the Bitcoin Today Coalition plays a crucial role in shaping policy and ensuring the U.S. stays competitive on the global stage.
Our hosts discussed Rochard and Bratcher’s contribution to the book, National Security in the Digital Age, where they co-authored a chapter focusing on Bitcoin mining’s intersection with the energy grid and its broader implications for national defense. As both Rochard and Bratcher explain, mining can actually contribute to grid resilience and stability by optimizing energy consumption, especially in times of energy abundance.
“Bitcoin mining isn’t just about consumption — it’s about finding underutilized energy and ensuring the grid stays robust even during peak demand times,” explains Bratcher. The discussion delved into the superpower of flexible load and demand response attributed to Bitcoin mining — its speed and control.
The conversation accentuated the necessity for integrating these features into grid operations, balancing supply and demand, and harmonizing resources for optimized energy usage. The collaborative efforts are making strides in Texas, driven by the innovative practices of commercial miners.
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