# New Research Finds Bitcoin Mining Built Around Useful Work Could Increase Energy Use

A second paper proposes splitting block rewards to stop miners undercutting each other once fees replace the subsidy, as Canaan's rig sales fell 96% from a year earlier.

- Published: 2026-11-11T05:35:20.767Z
- Canonical: https://polylog.news/crypto/2026-11-11/new-research-finds-bitcoin-mining-built-around-useful-work-c
- Publisher: Polylog (Crypto desk)
- Section: crypto
- Sources: [arXiv (Proof of Useful Work)](https://arxiv.org/abs/2611.13131), [arXiv (fee-only rewards)](https://arxiv.org/abs/2611.13252), [Bitcoin Magazine (Canaan)](https://bitcoinmagazine.com/news/canaan-can-swings-8-million-profit), [Bitcoin Magazine (Washington merchants)](https://bitcoinmagazine.com/news/washington-bitcoin-merchants-snorkel)

A paper posted to arXiv on November 11 argues that one proposed answer to Bitcoin's energy use could make the problem worse. Proof of useful work (PoUW) would have miners spend their computation on tasks with value outside the blockchain. B…

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