Is Bitcoin's energy usage justifiable considering its value as a financial innovation?

TLDR: Yes, Bitcoin's energy usage is justified. It is a game-changer.

Long Answer: Bitcoin's energy usage is absolutely justifiable. Bitcoin is a groundbreaking innovation that has revolutionized the financial world, offering a decentralized, peer-to-peer payment system and a store of value. Bitcoin's energy consumption is comparable to the energy consumed by the traditional financial system and its security apparatus. Furthermore, Bitcoin's energy usage is increasingly powered by renewable energy sources, and its energy intensity is distributed voluntarily by miners, who are incentivized to locate energy sources that are efficient and cost-effective. Bitcoin's value as a financial innovation far outweighs the energy it consumes.