Eskom Eyes Bitcoin Mining, AI to Offset Falling Power Demand
South Africa’s state-owned power utility, Eskom, is exploring ventures in Bitcoin mining, artificial intelligence, and data centres as part of a strategy to stabilize revenue amid declining electricity sales and rising competition from independent producers. Group CEO Dan Marokane said Eskom is considering leveraging its available baseload capacity to support these high-energy-demand sectors. Speaking at the BizNews Conference earlier this year, Marokane noted that such technologies are driving electricity demand growth in countries like the United States, while Eskom faces reduced local consumption. Demand Drops, Debt Rises Eskom’s electricity sales declined by 4% last year, and the utility expects the downward trend to persist for the next three to five years. As more South African households and businesses install their own solar and wind power systems, Eskom’s role as the country’s primary electricity provider is being increasingly undermined. Although the rise in independent generation has helped reduce the severity of load shedding — a longstanding issue in the country — it also threatens Eskom’s financial sustainability. The utility is grappling with ZAR403 billion ($22.7 billion) in loans and debt securities, along with ZAR90 billion ($5.1 billion) owed by municipalities. Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has warned the utility’s debt burden could climb to ZAR3.1 trillion ($174.5 billion) by 2050 if current trends persist. Bitcoin Mining and Grid Strain Bitcoin mining, a highly energy-intensive process, is among the alternatives Eskom is evaluating. The process relies on computing systems solving complex problems to validate transactions and earn rewards in Bitcoin. With electricity as the largest operating cost for miners, low-cost and stable power is essential for profitability. In the United States, regions such as Texas have seen a surge in electricity demand due to the growth of crypto mining and data centres. Marokane suggested South Africa could see similar dynamics if Eskom becomes a power supplier to these industries. However, the utility still faces grid reliability concerns. Between June 13 and 19, Eskom reported unplanned outages averaging 15,076 megawatts, crossing the 15,000 MW threshold associated with 21 consecutive days of stage 2 load shedding during winter. This raises the possibility of renewed power cuts lasting two to four hours per day. Despite planning for a future with lower grid dependence, Eskom must balance the integration of new revenue streams with the persistent risk of supply instability.
Ethereum Vs Ethereum Classics
When most people hear the name “Ethereum,” they often think of one of the world’s largest cryptocurrencies by market cap and home to NFTs, DeFi, and smart contracts. But what many don’t realize is that there’s not just one Ethereum. There are two: Ethereum (ETH) and Ethereum Classic (ETC). The split traces back to a philosophical and technical disagreement that followed a major incident in Ethereum’s early days. Since then, both blockchains have evolved on separate paths, each with its community, security model, and vision for the future. In this article, we will break down the differences between Ethereum and Ethereum Classic, examining how they operate, their growth, and what they offer developers, users, and investors today. Key Takeaways What is Ethereum (ETH)? Ethereum is a decentralized blockchain platform that enables developers to build and deploy smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). Its native cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH), is used to pay for transactions and computational services on the network. Ethereum operates on a global network of computers that execute programs using the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), ensuring security and transparency without central oversight. In 2022, Ethereum transitioned from a Proof-of-Work (PoW) to a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, significantly reducing its energy consumption and enhancing scalability. Ethereum’s versatility has made it a foundation for various applications, including decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and enterprise solutions. Its continuous development and upgrades aim to improve performance and expand its use cases in the blockchain ecosystem. Ethereum also enjoys the most active developer community of any blockchain. Technology and Development: Shift to Proof-of-Stake and Scalability Ethereum (ETH) has undergone significant changes since its inception, the most notable being “The Merge” in 2022, which transitioned it from a proof-of-work (PoW) to a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism. This move aimed to reduce energy consumption and lay the groundwork for scalability. With PoS in place, Ethereum has its sights set on future upgrades, such as sharding and rollups. This will enable the network to handle thousands of transactions per second without compromising decentralization. What is Ethereum Classic (ETC)? Source: Pexels Ethereum Classic (ETC) represents the original Ethereum chain, preserved after the DAO hack and subsequent hard fork. Unlike Ethereum (ETH), ETC has remained committed to proof-of-work, believing that immutability and censorship resistance are non-negotiable principles. While ETC has not seen the same explosive growth in dApps or DeFi, it maintains a loyal base of users and miners. It is also increasingly seen as a backup for GPU miners displaced by Ethereum’s transition to Proof-of-Stake (PoS). Read Also: Ethereum Virtual Machine in Blockchain: What is it? Technology and Development: Focus on Proof-of-Work and Immutability Ethereum Classic uses Proof-of-Work (PoW) to validate transactions and add blocks to the blockchain. Miners compete to solve complex mathematical puzzles. The first to solve it gets to add the next block and receive a reward. Ethereum Classic prioritizes immutability. Once data is written to the blockchain, it cannot be altered. This commitment came from rejecting the DAO rollback. The ETC community believes that transactions, good or bad, must stay permanent to maintain trust. ETC has faced challenges, including multiple 51% attacks in the past. However, recent improvements in its consensus mechanism and network monitoring have aimed to strengthen its defenses. History of Ethereum (Pre-fork) Source: Pexels Ethereum was launched in 2015 with an ambitious goal: to surpass Bitcoin’s capabilities by creating a decentralized platform that enables developers to build applications using smart contracts. The project quickly gained traction, thanks to its vibrant community, visionary founders (like Vitalik Buterin), and the promise of programmable money. But everything changed in 2016 with the infamous DAO hack. The DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) was a groundbreaking experiment in venture capital, built on the Ethereum blockchain. It raised over $150 million worth of ETH from investors worldwide. However, a vulnerability in the DAO’s code was exploited, and approximately 3.6 million ETH was siphoned off by an anonymous attacker. To undo the damage, the Ethereum community voted to hard fork the network, effectively rewriting history to return the stolen funds. This decision created a schism. Those who supported the fork moved forward with Ethereum (ETH). Those who opposed the change—believing the blockchain should remain immutable—continued on the original chain, now known as Ethereum Classic (ETC). The DAO hack posed a philosophical question: Should a decentralized network reverse a transaction, even to right a wrong? The Ethereum community said yes; the Ethereum Classic community said no. Similarities between Ethereum and Ethereum Classic Despite their divergent paths, ETH and ETC still share a lot of foundational DNA. After all, they originated from the same codebase and pursued the same initial vision of a decentralized world computer. Some of their key similarities include: Differences between Ethereum and Ethereum Classic The key differences between ETH and ETC can be grouped into three major areas: ideology, technology, and community size. Ethereum (ETH) Ethereum Classic (ETC) Ideology Pragmatism and adaptability Purism and immutability Technology Proof-of-stake consensus mechanism Proof-of-work Community Size Larger developer and user base Smaller but committed community. Ideology ETH emphasizes pragmatism and adaptability. It’s willing to make trade-offs (like reversing the DAO hack or shifting to PoS) to promote growth, usability, and security. Technology Ethereum (ETH) has transitioned to a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism, reducing energy consumption by over 99% and preparing for scalability through sharding and layer-2 rollups. Ethereum Classic (ETC) has stayed with proof-of-work, focusing instead on simplicity, security, and preserving its original protocol. Community and Ecosystem ETH has a much larger developer and user base, with thousands of active projects in DeFi, NFTs, and enterprise solutions. ETC has a smaller but committed community, with fewer dApps and far less total value locked (TVL) in DeFi protocols. Read Also: Solana vs Ethereum: A Comprehensive Comparison for 2025 ETH vs ETC – Which is the Better Choice for Investors? Source: Freepik From an investment perspective, Ethereum (ETH) and Ethereum Classic (ETC) offer very different value propositions. Ethereum (ETH) is widely regarded as the safer and more promising investment.
How To Automate Copy Trading Easily and Boost Profits
Do you know that you can automate copy trading and have your trades executed by simply mirroring top-performing investors? Yeah, you read that right. Copy trading automation has made it possible to instantly mirror successful trades, allowing you to benefit from others’ skills while managing your risk with precision. Now, check this out: you’re new to trading or have probably run out of strategies, and your portfolio isn’t looking the way you hoped. You don’t have to panic as you can now copy the trades of top traders automatically using tools built for consistency, risk control, and real-time performance tracking. If you’ve been wondering how to automate copy trading, this guide will walk you through the entire process. Related: Effective Trading Strategies with Cryptocurrency Co-Integration Analysis Key Takeaways What is Copy Trading and How Does It Work? Source: UEEx Copy trading is a method that allows you to replicate the trading strategies of experienced traders in real-time. Rather than spending hours learning technical indicators, analyzing charts, or trying to guess the right time to enter or exit the market, you can simply choose a trader whose strategy and results you trust, and the platform will mirror their trades in your account. In simple terms, when a professional trader opens or closes a trade, the same action is instantly copied into your account in proportion to your chosen investment amount. You’re not just following their trades, you’re essentially investing in their trading decisions. This approach is designed for individuals who want exposure to the financial markets, such as forex, cryptocurrency, stocks, or commodities, without needing to trade manually or develop complex trading strategies. How Copy Trading Works Here’s how copy trading works, step by step: How to Automate Copy Trading Step-by-Step Source: UEEx Whether you’re interested in forex, cryptocurrency, bonds, or stocks, this step-by-step guide will help you set up your automated copy trading system efficiently and with confidence. Step 1: Choose a Reliable Copy Trading Platform Your first step is to select a trustworthy platform. Some of the most popular and widely used platforms for automated copy trading include: Look for features like real-time execution, performance transparency, customizable risk controls, and low latency. Step 2: Create and Fund Your Account Once you’ve selected a platform, register and verify your identity (KYC process). Fund your account using your preferred payment method, such as bank transfer, credit card, or cryptocurrency. Some platforms have minimum deposit requirements (e.g., eToro requires a minimum deposit of $200 to start copying a trader). Step 3: Find and Evaluate Traders to Copy Now, explore the platform’s trader database. Focus on: Step 4: Set Up Auto Copy and Allocate Funds After selecting a trader, enable the “Auto Copy” or “Copy Trader” feature: Note that if the trader opens a 2% position in EUR/USD, a 2% trade will also be executed in your account relative to your allocated capital. Step 5: Customize Risk Management Settings Automation doesn’t mean giving up control. Use these tools to stay protected: Risk control is vital. According to a study by The Economic Times, over 70% of novice traders lose money due to poor risk management. Automated systems with robust controls help prevent this. Step 6: Monitor and Optimize Performance Regularly check: Most platforms offer real-time dashboards and performance reports. You can pause or stop copying a trader anytime, and even switch to another strategy with just a few clicks. Step 7: Diversify Across Multiple Traders or Markets Instead of putting all your funds behind one trader, consider copying several with different focuses: This spreads risk and increases exposure to various trading styles and market conditions, making your automated strategy more balanced and resilient. How to Copy Trade on UEEx Here’s a step-by-step guide on how you can replicate the trades of top traders on UEEX: Step 1: Go to the Copy Trading Section On the homepage, navigate to the copy trading section and click on “copy trade”. Step 2: Go Through the Copy Trader Page After clicking on “copy trade” on the homepage, you’ll be taken to the page where you’ll see a list of traders whose trades you can copy. Carefully review the list and examine trader performance indicators, including win rate, return on investment, daily returns and follower returns. Click on a trader’s profile to view detailed statistics and trading history. Step 3: Choose a Trader to Copy After reviewing all traders’ performance data and finding the one you’re satisfied with and that aligns with your goals, click on the copy button on the trader’s profile. This will take you to the page where you’ll set up your copy trading configuration. Step 4: Configure Copy Trading Settings Here, you’ll edit the settings, such as the copy trading amount and margin per order. You’ll also be able to edit the advanced settings, which allow you to set when to take profit and stop loss. After completing all configurations, click “Confirm” to activate the copy trading setup. Step 5: Track Trading Performance This is the final step where you can monitor your copy trading performance. Go to “Copy Trading” -> “My Copy Trades” to view your progress. You can stop following a trader at any time. If needed, you can click “Stop Copying” on the trader’s homepage to stop copying that trader. Why Automate Copy Trading? Source: Freepik Automating copy trading takes the convenience and efficiency of traditional copy trading a step further by removing the need for constant monitoring and manual intervention. Here’s why automating copy trading is worth considering: Save Time and Effort Manually placing trades can be time-consuming, particularly when markets are volatile and move quickly. Automation allows you to stay active in the market 24/7 without being glued to your screen. Once you’ve selected your preferred trader and configured your settings, the system handles the rest. Minimize Emotional Trading One of the biggest challenges in trading is managing emotions. Fear and greed can often lead to poor decisions. Automated copy trading removes emotional bias by following a predefined
