Cryptocurrencies fascinate, polarize—and confuse. While some speak of digital gold, others suspect it's just a pipe dream. At the center of all this is the buzzword "mining"—the process by which new coins are mined. But what's really behind it? Who profits from it? How much electricity is consumed—and where does the economic nonsense begin? Entrepreneur and blockchain pioneer Ferhat Kacmaz provides unusually clear insights. Together with Tobias Rethaber, he established MiningFarmDubai – with the goal of offering investors a professional, realistic assessment of the opportunities and risks. Growing up between immigration barriers and entrepreneurial spirit, Kacmaz knows what it means to understand systems – both technically and socially. Today, he speaks not only as an entrepreneur, but also as an experienced practitioner about what really matters in mining: transparency, technology – and timing. From the garage to the large-scale system: How it all began "My first mining rigs were in a garage," says Kacmaz. "It was 2016. We mined Ethereum with GPUs—loud, hot, and with moderate profit." But times were changing rapidly. With the advent of specialized ASIC miners, private mining became increasingly unprofitable. Anyone who wanted to compete had to scale up – both technically and strategically. Today, mining is a race for energy efficiency, site selection, cooling technologies, and smart network connectivity. Kacmaz realized early on: long-term success is virtually impossible without a professional setup. "You need more than machines. You need an understanding of the electricity market, grid architecture, and blockchain protocols." How much does mining cost – and what are the benefits? According to the University of Cambridge (Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index, 2024), the annual energy consumption of the global Bitcoin network was recently around 130 terawatt hours (TWh) – more than countries like Sweden or the Netherlands consume. This has prompted critics to ask: Is mining ecological madness? "Not a blanket statement," says Kacmaz. "It depends on where and how you mine." The company MiningFarmDubai uses modern cooling systems, operates with dynamic electricity price management, and is increasingly relying on renewable energy sources in North America, Kazakhstan, and the Emirates. A practical calculation example shows how strongly the economic viability of mining depends on the framework conditions: The currently particularly efficient ASIC miner Bitmain Antminer S19 XP achieves a computing power of 140 terahash per second (TH/s) and consumes about 3,010 watts of power. If this miner is operated under optimal conditions—for example, with an electricity price of $0.05 per kilowatt hour and a Bitcoin price of around $64,000 (as of July 2025)—a daily profit of approximately $7 to $10 per device can be achieved, according to calculations by CryptoCompare. But the picture changes quickly as soon as energy costs rise: If the electricity price rises above $0.12 per kilowatt-hour, daily mining with the same device may no longer be profitable. Operating costs then exceed the revenue – and digital gold mining becomes a loss-making business. This example illustrates why crypto mining is now only worthwhile in professional structures with affordable electricity, precise energy management, and efficient cooling – and no longer in private basements with standard tariffs. Proof-of-Work and the battle for trust Traditional mining is based on the so-called Proof-of-Work (PoW) mechanism: computing power is used to solve cryptographic puzzles and confirm transactions. The more computing power, the higher the chance of reward—and the more secure the network. But PoW is no longer the only option. Ethereum switched to Proof-of-Stake (PoS) in 2022 – more energy-efficient, but also more vulnerable to centralization. Kacmaz counters: "PoW is the backbone of decentralization. It's like an incorruptible notary. You have to invest to earn trust." That's why he's now relying on KASPA, a blockchain project that, thanks to the so-called BlockDAG technology, is not only secure but also extremely fast: over 6,000 transactions per second, confirmed in real time – while remaining decentralized. "KASPA brought back the original pioneering spirit of Bitcoin," says Kacmaz. "For me, that was the turning point." Between hype and reality: critical questions about crypto mining – and what really lies behind it In the current debate surrounding cryptocurrencies, the topic of mining is increasingly being examined critically – and with good reason. Investors who think long-term and look beyond short-term speculation are particularly raising legitimate questions: Is mining still relevant? How significant is its environmental impact? And is investing in mining equipment even worthwhile in 2025? “Isn’t mining dead long ago?” This question is often asked in forums, interviews, and panel discussions – usually by those who haven't followed the enormous changes of recent years. The fact is: traditional, home mining with a simple graphics card and standard power connection is largely obsolete. But that doesn't mean mining is dead – on the contrary: It has become more professional and selective. Modern mining sites operate with highly efficient ASIC hardware specialized for individual algorithms, offering much higher computing power per watt. Devices like the Bitmain Antminer S21 or Whatsminer M60S++ achieve hash rates of over 200 TH/s while simultaneously reducing power consumption to below 20 J/TH. But even with this efficiency, two factors remain crucial: affordable energy prices and technical expertise. Without both, mining quickly becomes a loss-making business. However, those with access to electricity rates below USD 0.06/kWh are competitive globally – provided maintenance, cooling, and site selection are also professionally planned. “What about the environment and sustainability?” The ecological debate is rightly one of the biggest arguments against mining – but here, too, a more nuanced view is worthwhile. While the Bitcoin network has been notorious for its high energy consumption for years (currently approximately 130 TWh per year according to the Cambridge Electricity Consumption Index, as of 2024), the share of renewable energy is steadily increasing. According to the renowned blockchain analyst firm CoinShares, by 2023, around 52.6 percent of mining activity came from sustainable sources, including hydropower from Canada, Iceland, and Norway, wind power from Texas, and solar projects in Kazakhstan and China. The trend toward "green mining" is therefore more than just marketing—it's a technological necessity, especially given the growing ESG criteria of institutional investors. Projects such as MiningFarmDubai, in which Ferhat Kacmaz is involved, focus on decentralized data centers in energy-efficient locations – with air and liquid cooling, automated load balancing, and increasingly even CO₂ compensation models. “Is mining still worthwhile for investors?” This question is complex – and deserves an honest answer: No, not for everyone. Anyone who views mining as a purely speculative vehicle without understanding the underlying technology, energy requirements, regulatory frameworks, and infrastructure costs will likely be disappointed. But for those who are willing to engage with the system – that is, those who analyze, compare, calculate, and plan strategically – mining can still be an attractive asset. Investors who engage early with concepts such as BlockDAG technology (e.g., KASPA) or emerging mining markets such as those in Latin America or Africa have the opportunity to be part of a new infrastructure economy – not just as consumers, but as creators. Trust through transparency and reputable crypto mining Ferhat Kacmaz is a colorful character in an often gray world. "I've experienced a lot." His recipe: radical transparency. Every investment at MiningFarmDubai is traceable – equipment, locations, contracts. Ferhat Kacmaz and Tobias Rethaber are among the leading minds of a new generation of finance and technology experts. Kacmaz, a successful serial entrepreneur with deep roots in the crypto space, has years of experience in blockchain technology, was an early adopter of mining, and has operated globally as a crypto trader. He has lived in Dubai for over 13 years and combines entrepreneurial vision with a keen sense for future-oriented trends. Tobias Rethaber, financial expert, investor, and co-author of the book "The Cashflow Code" (together with Markus Posset), shares strategies that wealthy people have long been using – without empty promises and unnecessary baggage. "The Cashflow Code" is not a traditional self-help book, but rather a practical system that leads step by step to true financial independence – without start-up capital, without jargon, and without unnecessary risk. Together, Kacmaz and Rethaber share a clear message: Financial freedom comes from knowledge, strategic action, and the courage to explore new paths. Conclusion: Mining is not magic – but mathematics, management and courage Crypto mining isn't dead—it's grown up. Today, it requires more than a few graphics cards and gut instinct. It demands structure, technical know-how, regulatory understanding—and the will not to be driven by hype or panic. Ferhat Kacmaz isn't a traditional tech entrepreneur—and that's precisely why he's able to break new ground. With his deep understanding of blockchain technology, coupled with a keen eye for social developments, he's proven that innovation doesn't emerge in an ivory tower, but where technology connects with real-life situations. Kacmaz doesn't see blockchain as an end in itself, but as a tool for meaningful application models. With Designing Wealth: A Visionary's Guide to Mindset and Freedom, Ferhat Kacmaz has created a milestone – technologically, socially, and economically. He proves that blockchain is far more than an abstract technological construct: He transforms it into a tangible, everyday infrastructure that motivates people to become financially stronger. He stands for a blockchain culture characterized by clarity, integrity, and relevance.