Genesis Digital Assets (GDA) is expanding its presence in the United States with the announcement of three new Bitcoin mining data centers in South Carolina. The new facilities, located near Anderson and between the towns of Union and Lockhart, have a combined capacity of 33 megawatts (MW) and commenced operations this year. GDA, one of the world’s largest Bitcoin miners, also broke ground on a 40 MW mining data center in Texas last year.
CEO and Founder of GDA, Andrey Kim, expressed enthusiasm about South Carolina, citing the state’s abundance of clean electricity from hydro and nuclear sources, making it one of the most pro-innovation states. The company prioritizes environmentally friendly operations and strives to locate data centers near clean energy sources.
GDA’s decision to expand in South Carolina aligns with the state’s growing interest in the cryptocurrency sector. Unlike its northern neighbor, which enacted a Bitcoin moratorium, South Carolina is fostering an environment favorable to innovation in the blockchain space.
To support its mining expansion, GDA employed 150 local workers for the construction of the three new data centers. The Pacolet data center, one of the newest mining sites, is situated close to a Lockhart Power hydroelectric plant, emphasizing GDA’s commitment to eco-friendly practices.
While critics raise concerns about Bitcoin mining’s environmental impact, Kim emphasized GDA’s goal to demonstrate that Bitcoin mining can be environmentally, social, and governance (ESG) friendly. The company seeks to lead by example, utilizing clean energy sources for its mining operations and advocating for sustainable practices within the industry.
