As a DeFi architect with a penchant for zero-knowledge proofs and a quiet disdain for crypto hype, I’ve spent years dissecting the real mechanics behind Bitcoin mining. Unlike gold miners tied to earthbound extraction, Bitcoin miners operate in a dynamic, tech-driven ecosystem where efficiency isn’t just an advantage—it’s survival. In this post, I’ll expose the deeper truths: how ASIC depreciation creates a relentless 'hamster wheel,' why transaction fees are the future, and how thermal energy reuse turns mining rigs into environmental assets. Spoiler: it’s not just about scarcity—it’s about infrastructure evolution.