Texas, the largest power producer in the US, is also a major hub for bitcoin mining, with 1.5 GW of mining as of August 2022. The Electricity Reliability Council of Texas has been criticized for using economic incentives to align miners' interests with those of the public, as local residents and legislators claim that the state is subsidizing an industry that is harmful to the environment and local communities. Riot Platforms, one of the largest bitcoin miners in the world, is facing scrutiny for developing two sites in Texas with a total energy capacity of 1.7 GW, which could power 340,000 Texan homes in the high demand season.

Bitfarms Ltd. (NASDAQ: BITF//TSX: BITF), a global vertically integrated Bitcoin mining company, has acquired two Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) in Paraguay for up to 150 MW of eco-friendly hydropower. The PPAs include up to 50 MW in Villarrica, near Bitfarms' existing operations in Paraguay, and up to 100 MW in Yguazu, a new location near the third largest hydroelectric dam in the world, Itaipu. The hydropower at both locations will be provided at a contracted cost of around 3.9 cents per kWh, before VAT, and is not subject to annual inflationary adjustments.

Chicago-based crypto insurance company Evertas has acquired South African insurer Bitsure, which specializes in coverage for crypto mining operations. The deal amount was not disclosed. Bitsure has quickly grown since its launch in 2021, with policies now insuring around 6% of the Bitcoin mining network. Bitsure's founder, Thomas Shewchuck, will join Evertas as head of underwriting.

Steven Kinard, the Director of Bitcoin mining analytics at the Texas Blockchain Council, has announced his candidacy for the Texas House of Representatives, running for the Republican Party nomination in District 70. He aims to advocate for digital freedom and resist the Federal Reserve's exploration of a central bank digital currency (CBDC).

Steven Kinard, the director of Bitcoin mining analytics at the Texas Blockchain Council, has announced his candidacy for the Texas House of Representatives. Kinard plans to seek the Republican Party nomination for Texas House District 70 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. If elected, he will serve a two-year term starting in 2025. Kinard's campaign will focus on advocating for "digital freedom" and "strategic technology investments" while opposing any research into central bank digital currencies. He will likely face incumbent Democratic Representative Mihaela Plesa in the general election.

Argo Blockchain plc (ARBK) has released its operational update for June 2023, reporting that the company mined 139 Bitcoin or Bitcoin equivalents (BTC) during the month. This equates to an average daily mining rate of 4.6 BTC, down 17% from the 5.6 BTC per day mined in the previous month.

Bitcoin mining difficulty is set to surge once again, erasing the recent reduction and reaching another record-setting high. The next difficulty adjustment is estimated to increase between 4.74% and 7.7%, scheduled to take place on July 12, 2023. This will make it the most challenging period in history for miners to uncover BTC blocks.

Marathon Digital, a Bitcoin mining company, has attributed its decrease in Bitcoin mined in June to weather conditions in Texas and a drop in transaction fees. Despite producing 979 Bitcoin in June, a 21% decline from May, Marathon Digital saw a 599% increase compared to June 2022.

George Bachiashvili, the former head of the Georgian Co-Investment Fund, is facing allegations of misappropriation of cryptocurrency and money laundering. The case is being handled by the Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Georgia, which claims that Bachiashvili misused a significant amount of Bitcoin in 2015.

George Bachiashvili, founder of the Georgian Co-Investment Fund, has been charged with cryptocurrency misappropriation and money laundering. The Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia alleges that Bachiashvili misappropriated a large amount of Bitcoin in 2015, which was invested in Bitcoin mining.