Home Cryptocurrency Airbnb Guests Mine Rs 84 Lakh Worth in Cryptocurrency at Rental, Leave Host with Rs 1.2 Lakh Electricity Bill

Airbnb Guests Mine Rs 84 Lakh Worth in Cryptocurrency at Rental, Leave Host with Rs 1.2 Lakh Electricity Bill

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Airbnb Guests Mine Rs 84 Lakh Worth in Cryptocurrency at Rental, Leave Host with Rs 1.2 Lakh Electricity Bill


Cryptocurrency

In North Carolina, a group of Airbnb guests mined cryptocurrency worth over $100,000 (approximately ₹84 lakh) during a three-week stay at a rental property, leaving the host, Ashley Class, with a hefty electricity bill of $1,500 (roughly ₹1.25 lakh). The crypto-mining operation came to light after the guests vacated the property, with Class noticing the removal of at least ten computers and the dismantling of an improvised electric vehicle charging station. Despite the guests leaving the property in excellent condition and receiving a five-star review, the substantial spike in electricity usage raised alarms.

Upon discovering the unusually high electricity bill, Class approached Airbnb, providing evidence of the guests’ activities. Surprisingly, the guests admitted to using the property for crypto-mining, acknowledging that they had profited over $100,000 from their operation. This incident has prompted Class to revise her rental rules, explicitly banning crypto-mining and electric vehicle charging on her property.

Class’s experience is not isolated; it underscores a growing trend where individuals exploit Airbnb properties for energy-intensive crypto-mining operations. The incident sheds light on the broader issue of cryptocurrency miners seeking cost-effective ways to power their operations by renting properties. As a precautionary measure, other Airbnb hosts have reported similar occurrences and are taking steps to prevent such activities. Reports indicate that just 137 crypto miners account for 2.3% of the total electricity consumption in the United States, emphasizing the significant energy demands of this practice.





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