On April 26, 2022, the New York Assembly passed a bill that would place a two-year moratorium on certain cryptocurrency mining operations that use proof-of-work authentication (POW) methods to validate blockchain transactions (e.g., Bitcoin). The theory underlying the bill is that continuing expansion of “cryptocurrency mining operations running proof-of-work authentication methods to validate blockchain transactions will . . . impact compliance with the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act,” which requires New York to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Please see full publication below for more information.