The environmental impact of cryptocurrencies: a clarification for Wendl et al. (2023)

Matthews, R ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6031-7016, 2023. The environmental impact of cryptocurrencies: a clarification for Wendl et al. (2023). Nottingham: Nottingham Trent University.

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Abstract

The interest in the environmental impact of cryptocurrency mining is illustrated by the research report published by the US Whitehouse and the banning of Bitcoin mining in China in 2021. Wendl et al. (2023) took the opportunity to explore research within the area using a systematic literature review approach, with the aim of developing a broad but also unbiased way to consolidate a lot of research in the area. However, while not taking away from the work of the author, there are some serious issues associated with many sources that are drawn from. As a result, this paper aims to highlight some identified problems with Wendl et al., specifically sources used directly, the sources used by particular references that contribute to presented findings and the findings themselves. This work provides a critical review of a recently published piece, so that the model presented within the work can be revised to reflects current practice, rather than basing the model upon past research. This work presents a revision of the model presented by Wendl et al. (2023) of bitcoin mining as a critical practice for both stabilising electrical infrastructure that uses inconsistent renewable sources of electricity and incentivising its development. Within the conclusion the work provides some direction on how policy can be developed moving forward.

Item Type:	Working paper
Creators:	Matthews, R.
Publisher:	Nottingham Trent University
Place of Publication:	Nottingham
Date:	2023
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.2139/ssrn.4494155 DOI 2385787 Other
Divisions:	Schools > Nottingham Business School
Record created by:	Jonathan Gallacher
Date Added:	16 Feb 2026 11:33
Last Modified:	16 Feb 2026 11:33
Related URLs:	Publisher
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/55284

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