In a recent episode of The Leather Lounge, Troy Cross, a philosopher and Bitcoin advocate, joined host Sean Longstreet to explore Bitcoin’s unique relationship with energy, its societal implications, and the philosophical shifts it demands. Troy’s insights reframed the common debates around Bitcoin’s environmental footprint, offering a nuanced perspective that positions Bitcoin as a driver of both energy efficiency and societal change.
Bitcoin Mining: A Unique Species in the Energy Landscape
Troy likens Bitcoin mining to a scavenger species in the energy ecosystem — much like a dung beetle — thriving on stranded, wasted, or unwanted energy. This analogy challenges the traditional criticism of Bitcoin's energy consumption, reframing it as a mechanism for efficiency and innovation.
Turning Waste Into Opportunity
Stranded Methane Mitigation
Bitcoin mining captures methane, one of the most potent greenhouse gases, and converts it into less harmful CO₂. This not only mitigates environmental harm but also creates economic value from otherwise wasted resources.
Renewable Energy Overproduction
Solar and wind farms often produce excess energy that the grid can't handle, leading to inefficiencies. Bitcoin mining offers a solution by absorbing this surplus energy, stabilizing grids, and encouraging further investment in renewable infrastructure.
Troy challenges the typical question, “How much energy does Bitcoin use?” Instead, he encourages a shift in perspective: “What kind of energy does Bitcoin use, and why?” This reframing highlights Bitcoin’s potential as a tool for environmental progress rather than a threat to sustainability.
From Skeptic to Advocate: Troy’s Personal Journey
Troy’s relationship with Bitcoin has been one of transformation. In 2011, he began mining Bitcoin but stopped over concerns about its environmental impact. Over time, advocates like Lyn Alden and Nic Carter, along with his own research, reshaped his understanding.
Today, Troy sees Bitcoin as a catalyst for sustainability rather than a threat — demonstrating how open dialogue and new evidence can challenge even deeply held assumptions.
Living a Double Life: Philosophy Meets Bitcoin
As a philosopher, Troy navigates the structured, hierarchical world of academia while simultaneously engaging with Bitcoin’s decentralized ethos. He describes this as living a “double life” — a reflection of Bitcoin’s disruptive nature and its challenge to traditional systems of power and knowledge.
Bitcoin forces individuals and institutions to adapt to a new paradigm — one that questions established frameworks and shifts the balance of economic and political power. For Troy, this duality mirrors the broader societal transformation that Bitcoin is driving.
The Adoption Framework: How Bitcoin Gains Momentum
Troy outlined a framework for how Bitcoin adoption progresses through societal groups:
Wall Street and Financial Players
Media and Journalists
The Broader Middle Class
Academia and Intellectuals
This framework highlights the importance of building trust and visibility across all societal groups to drive long-term adoption.
Bitcoin’s Broader Implications: A Radical Invention
Bitcoin represents more than financial innovation — it’s a new framework for societal organization and wealth transfer.
Generational Wealth Transfer
Bitcoin empowers younger generations to build wealth outside of traditional systems, challenging entrenched economic inequality and promoting financial independence.
Decentralized Mining and Heating
Troy envisions a future where Bitcoin mining integrates with energy infrastructure — mining rigs could serve as localized heating solutions, reducing reliance on vulnerable grid systems and improving energy efficiency.
A Framework for Curiosity and Innovation
As an educator, Troy emphasizes the need to cultivate curiosity, resilience, and communication — qualities exemplified by early Bitcoiners. Bitcoin fosters values like independence, collaboration, and innovation, which are critical for addressing societal challenges.
The Privilege of Being Early
Troy Cross views Bitcoin as a radical invention reshaping the world in profound ways. Being early to Bitcoin, he suggests, is both a privilege and a challenge — requiring patience, vision, and a willingness to adapt.
He invites us to rethink the narratives around Bitcoin’s energy use, societal impact, and environmental potential. Bitcoin, Troy argues, is not just a financial tool — it’s a transformative framework for reimagining societal and economic structures.
To explore more, follow Troy Cross on X (@thetrocro) and listen to the full conversation on Leather Lounge Episode #34.
