ARKANSAS, Sept 7 (Future Headlines)- In the frantic world of cryptocurrencies, where fortunes can be made and lost overnight, Riot Platforms, a once-thriving Bitcoin mining company, finds itself navigating turbulent waters. What was once a cash cow during the crypto boom 2021 has turned into a financial quagmire, prompting Riot to employ an unconventional strategy involving energy credits to mitigate losses.

In 2021, the cryptocurrency market experienced a monumental surge, with Bitcoin reaching record highs and spawning a frenzy of interest from investors worldwide. Riot Platforms, a company engaged in Bitcoin mining, was perfectly poised to capitalize on this surge. The process of mining Bitcoin involves using powerful computers to solve complex mathematical problems, thereby verifying transactions on the Bitcoin network and earning newly minted Bitcoins as a reward. During the crypto boom, Bitcoin’s price surge translated into substantial profits for miners like Riot Platforms.

In the midst of this crypto euphoria, Riot Platforms was raking in cash. The company’s revenue soared by nearly 8,000% in 2021, primarily driven by the surging demand for Bitcoin. The crypto world was abuzz, and Riot Platforms seemed unstoppable. However, as many seasoned investors in the crypto space are aware, cryptocurrency markets are highly volatile and prone to rapid reversals.

• Riot platforms’ reversal of fortune

The year 2022 brought a stark reversal of fortunes for Riot Platforms and the broader cryptocurrency market. Bitcoin, which had reached dizzying heights in the previous year, underwent a significant correction. The crypto market, characterized by its roller-coaster nature, saw prices plummet and enthusiasm wane. This sudden reversal of the crypto tide had far-reaching implications, and Riot Platforms was not immune to the market’s whims. The company, which had enjoyed meteoric growth and profitability during the crypto boom, found itself grappling with losses. In 2022, Riot Platforms reported a net loss of over $500 million for the year, marking a sharp contrast to its previous year’s gains. The crypto world, often described as a double-edged sword, had once again demonstrated its capacity for unpredictability.

• Riot’s unique power strategy

Faced with mounting losses, Riot Platforms embarked on a strategic shift that was as unconventional as it was innovative. The company decided to leverage its energy consumption to its advantage. In August 2023, Riot Platforms announced that it had earned a remarkable $31.7 million in energy credits from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the state’s power grid operator. These energy credits were generated by voluntarily curtailing the company’s energy consumption during an unprecedented heatwave. The significance of this strategic move cannot be overstated. Riot Platforms effectively harnessed its ability to curtail energy usage during peak demand periods, thereby contributing to the stability of the Texas power grid. In return, ERCOT compensated Riot Platforms handsomely through energy credits. These credits became a financial lifeline for Riot, offsetting a significant portion of its operating costs.

• The financial impact of energy credits

To put the financial impact of these energy credits into perspective, Riot Platforms’ August earnings of $31.7 million from energy credits far surpassed the value of the Bitcoin it mined during the same month. The company’s Bitcoin mining activities yielded approximately 333 Bitcoins, valued at around $8.9 million by the end of August. In essence, Riot Platforms found itself relying on energy credits as a primary source of revenue, eclipsing the earnings from its core mining operations.

Jason Les, CEO of Riot Platforms, underscored the significance of these credits in the company’s financial strategy. He stated, “August was a landmark month for Riot in showcasing the benefits of our unique power strategy.” According to Les, these credits played a pivotal role in significantly reducing the cost of mining Bitcoin, positioning Riot Platforms as one of the lowest-cost producers in the industry. This strategic shift represented a dramatic departure from Riot Platforms’ earlier trajectory. Once a major player in the Bitcoin mining industry, the company was now navigating uncharted waters by embracing a hybrid model that relied on both mining and energy credits.

• The struggles of Bitcoin miners

Riot Platforms’ challenges are not unique within the Bitcoin mining sector. Bitcoin miners, both in the United States and globally, have grappled with a host of issues in recent times. One of the overarching challenges has been the bearish trend in the cryptocurrency market, characterized by low trading volumes and downward price pressure. As a result, the market capitalization of U.S.-listed Bitcoin mining companies declined by 21% in August, falling to $9.7 billion.

Among these mining companies, Riot Platforms emerged as one of the worst-performing stocks, experiencing a staggering 39% drop in its stock price during the same month. The sector’s struggles were exacerbated by surging energy prices, which further eroded profit margins for Bitcoin miners. Ballooning energy costs and unfavorable market conditions compelled many Bitcoin mining companies to explore alternative revenue streams. Riot Platforms, in particular, leveraged its ability to curtail energy consumption and contribute to grid stability as a means of generating income through energy credits.

• The role of ERCOT and Texas

Riot Platforms’ reliance on energy credits is intricately linked to its geographical location in Texas and its partnership with the ERCOT. Texas, as a state, has positioned itself as a friendly environment for Bitcoin miners, offering significant incentives and benefits. One of the primary reasons for this is Texas’s distinctive energy landscape. Unlike most states in the continental United States, Texas operates on its own energy grid. This independent grid system allows Texas to have a deregulated and flexible energy market that isn’t tethered to the interconnected grids of the Eastern and Western United States.

While competition within the Texas energy market often drives down the price of power as providers compete on the cost to attract customers, it also means that there’s less of a safety net in place compared to regions connected to multiple grids. Texas’s unique energy dynamics make it prone to fluctuations in energy prices and occasional service disruptions. This is where Bitcoin miners like Riot Platforms enter the picture. ERCOT has developed a mutually beneficial relationship with these miners through established “demand response” programs. These programs pay miners to voluntarily reduce their energy consumption during peak periods to prevent overloading the grid, especially when air conditioners and other high-energy appliances are in heavy use during scorching summers. The demand response programs serve as a pragmatic solution for ERCOT to manage electricity supply and demand dynamics. In return for curtailing their energy usage during critical periods, Bitcoin miners receive compensation, which can translate into substantial earnings, as demonstrated by Riot Platforms’ $31.7 million in energy credits for August.

• Texas: A Bitcoin mining haven

Texas’s alignment with the Bitcoin mining industry extends beyond demand response programs. The state has taken active steps to cultivate a favorable environment for crypto-mining operations. This includes legislation aimed at supporting and expanding the industry’s footprint.

In early 2023, Texas faced a critical juncture regarding its relationship with Bitcoin miners. Senate Bill 1751 (SB 1751) was introduced in the Texas State Senate with the intention of severing Bitcoin miners’ access to energy credits. The bill raised concerns within the crypto mining community, as it threatened to disrupt the financial incentives that had made Texas an attractive destination for miners. Ultimately, SB 1751 passed the Texas State Senate in April, signaling a potential shift in the state’s stance toward Bitcoin miners. However, the bill encountered roadblocks in the House of Representatives and failed to advance beyond a committee stage. In a surprising turn of events, Texas lawmakers pivoted and passed two mining-friendly bills that expanded incentives and reduced regulatory hurdles for the crypto-mining industry. These new measures went into effect on September 1, 2023, cementing Texas’s position as a Bitcoin mining haven.

• The economics of curtailment

The concept of energy curtailment is central to the unique relationship between Bitcoin miners and ERCOT in Texas. Energy curtailment essentially involves Bitcoin miners voluntarily reducing their energy consumption during periods of peak demand or stress on the grid. In exchange for this cooperation, miners receive compensation from ERCOT. The economic calculus underlying this arrangement hinges on a straightforward principle: Bitcoin miners should be paid slightly more for curtailing their operations during peak hours than they would have earned by mining Bitcoin during the same period. In essence, the compensation from ERCOT should exceed the potential earnings from mining activities. This creates a financial incentive for miners to collaborate with ERCOT and support grid stability.

Bitcoin mining engineer Brandon Arvanaghi, who now operates Meow, a company facilitating corporate treasury participation in crypto markets, summed up this arrangement as “a win-win.” Miners receive compensation, and ERCOT benefits from reduced strain on the grid. In practice, Bitcoin miners typically receive curtailment requests from ERCOT less than 3% of the time during the year. This translates to approximately five to ten hours each month when miners curtail their operations. The decision to curtail often depends on prevailing market conditions, energy prices, and the potential earnings foregone during the curtailment period.

• ERCOT’s role as a grid stabilizer

While the economic aspects of energy curtailment are compelling, ERCOT’s reliance on Bitcoin miners serves a broader purpose. Texas’s predominantly independent energy grid, covering approximately 90% of the state, lacks the safety net afforded by interconnections with other grids. In a connected grid system, excess energy supply or sudden spikes in demand can be balanced by drawing power from neighboring regions. However, ERCOT’s standalone grid means that it must actively manage supply and demand within its boundaries without the luxury of drawing upon external resources.

Herein lies the significance of Bitcoin miners as a “controllable load resource.” By collaborating with Bitcoin miners, ERCOT gains an additional tool to manage its grid effectively. When energy supply exceeds demand, Bitcoin miners can absorb the excess power by resuming their operations. Conversely, during peak demand, miners curtail their consumption, relieving stress on the grid. This partnership between ERCOT and Bitcoin miners essentially functions as a form of insurance or hedge against grid disasters. It ensures grid stability, prevents overloads during extreme weather conditions, and contributes to the resilience of Texas’s independent energy grid.

The Texas model of collaboration between Bitcoin miners and ERCOT highlights the symbiotic relationship between energy-intensive industries and grid operators. As cryptocurrency mining continues to evolve and as the energy landscape undergoes transformations, the dynamics between miners and grid operators will likely play a crucial role in shaping the future of both industries. Riot Platforms’ journey exemplifies the adaptability and resilience required to thrive in the ever-changing world of cryptocurrencies and energy.

Writing by Alireza Sabet; Editing by Sarah White