{"id":10847,"date":"2018-07-31T12:00:58","date_gmt":"2018-07-31T12:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/?p=10847"},"modified":"2026-02-03T13:00:25","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T13:00:25","slug":"the-surprising-relationship-between-cryptocurrency-and-gold","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/the-surprising-relationship-between-cryptocurrency-and-gold\/","title":{"rendered":"The Surprising Relationship Between Cryptocurrency and Gold"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"CanCryptocurrencies such as bitcoin have drawn a lot of attention for promising secure transactions and reduced exposure to hackers without the involvement of a third party, such as a bank. Some believe that cryptocurrencies are superior to traditional currencies based on gold, but as an article on the U.S. Geological Survey web site,  <\/span>Digital Gold Rush Depends on Traditional Gold<\/a>, points out, cryptocurrencies are actually dependent on gold and other minerals. How so? Because cryptocurrencies are based on blockchain technology, which creates secure digital identities validated by a distributed computer network. Because blockchain depends on computers, it also relies on the minerals that are used to produce computers.<\/p>\n

Gold<\/a>, along with silver<\/a> and copper<\/a> are highly conductive metals that serve important functions in modern computers. Gold and silver are used in hard drives and circuit boards. Copper plays many roles in computers, from wires to chips.<\/p>\n

As an example of the interdependence between cryptocurrency and precious metals, <\/span>the USGS article cites the shortage of high-end graphics cards caused by the rise of cryptocurrency. The blockchain equations that enable cryptocurrencies to function require massive computing power, which relies on the best graphics cards made with pricey materials, including the platinum group metals<\/a>. The article predicts that as more and more computing power is routed towards mining cryptocurrencies, the digital markets will come to rely ever more on the traditional currency metals.<\/p>\n

While the United States relies on foreign sources for many of these minerals, (most platinum group metals are produced in South Africa, for example) much of the copper, gold and silver it uses is produced domestically. According to the USGS, in 2017, domestic gold mine production<\/a> was estimated to be about 245 tons at a value of about $9.9 billion, while U.S. mines produced approximately 1,020 tons of silver with an estimated value of $564 million. Meanwhile, during the same year, U.S. mine production<\/a> of recoverable copper yielded an estimated 1.27 million tons and was valued at an estimated $8 billion.<\/p>\n

Commodity prices fluctuate, but an Advancing Mining post, Can Gold Help Mining Exploration Spending Increase?<\/a> anticipates an increase in gold mining because “good margins on gold are helping to fund exploration and acquisitions.”<\/p>\n

Many of these companies will employ portable XRF analyzers<\/a> in their mining exploration efforts.<\/p>\n

Portable XRF analyzers are especially helpful in finding gold deposits. While geologists employ geophysical methods for gold exploration, geochemical methods – including x-ray florescence (XRF)<\/a> – are the only methods that can measure concentrations of gold and other pathfinder elements.<\/p>\n

The sampling techniques are aimed at mapping the distribution of gold and in particular, the various elements associated with gold known as the pathfinder elements (silver, copper, zinc, nickel, mercury, arsenic and barium). Pathfinder elements<\/a> are very important in finding gold because they help focus the search area. It’s much easier to find the pathfinder elements, due to their higher concentration, than it is to find gold, and once found they can help determine if gold is nearby.<\/p>\n

Recommended Reading:<\/p>\n

Is US Currency Still Backed by Gold and if so, Where Is It All?<\/a><\/p>\n

Our Top 5 Gold and Platinum Articles<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin have drawn a lot of attention for promising secure transactions and reduced exposure to hackers without the involvement of a third party, such as a bank. Some believe that cryptocurrencies are superior to traditional currencies based on gold, but as an article on the U.S. Geological Survey web site,  Digital Gold<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":70,"featured_media":10900,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[225],"tags":[],"division":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-10847","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-general","8":"entry"},"_selected_authors":[1288],"_selected_reviewers":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe Surprising Relationship Between Cryptocurrency and Gold<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Cryptocurrencies are based on blockchain technology. 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Because blockchain depends on computers, it also relies on the gold and other minerals used to make computers.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/the-surprising-relationship-between-cryptocurrency-and-gold\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Advancing Mining\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/thermofisher\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2018-07-31T12:00:58+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-03T13:00:25+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2018\/07\/blockchain.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"724\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"483\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Chris Calam\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@thermofisher\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@thermofisher\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Chris Calam\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.thermofisher.com\\\/blog\\\/mining\\\/the-surprising-relationship-between-cryptocurrency-and-gold\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.thermofisher.com\\\/blog\\\/mining\\\/the-surprising-relationship-between-cryptocurrency-and-gold\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Chris Calam\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\\\/mining\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/5b7849d9c50120c808cb077b65fe9a52\"},\"headline\":\"The Surprising Relationship Between Cryptocurrency and Gold\",\"datePublished\":\"2018-07-31T12:00:58+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-03T13:00:25+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.thermofisher.com\\\/blog\\\/mining\\\/the-surprising-relationship-between-cryptocurrency-and-gold\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":537,\"commentCount\":1,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.thermofisher.com\\\/blog\\\/mining\\\/the-surprising-relationship-between-cryptocurrency-and-gold\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\\\/mining\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/3\\\/2018\\\/07\\\/blockchain.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"General\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.thermofisher.com\\\/blog\\\/mining\\\/the-surprising-relationship-between-cryptocurrency-and-gold\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.thermofisher.com\\\/blog\\\/mining\\\/the-surprising-relationship-between-cryptocurrency-and-gold\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.thermofisher.com\\\/blog\\\/mining\\\/the-surprising-relationship-between-cryptocurrency-and-gold\\\/\",\"name\":\"The Surprising Relationship Between Cryptocurrency and Gold\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\\\/mining\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.thermofisher.com\\\/blog\\\/mining\\\/the-surprising-relationship-between-cryptocurrency-and-gold\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.thermofisher.com\\\/blog\\\/mining\\\/the-surprising-relationship-between-cryptocurrency-and-gold\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\\\/mining\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/3\\\/2018\\\/07\\\/blockchain.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2018-07-31T12:00:58+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-03T13:00:25+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\\\/mining\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/5b7849d9c50120c808cb077b65fe9a52\"},\"description\":\"Cryptocurrencies are based on blockchain technology. 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According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), about 85% of potash is used in fertilizers, underscoring its critical role in global farming systems.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Data Management\/Lab Automation"","block_context":{"text":"Data Management\/Lab Automation","link":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/data-management-lab-automation\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"potash evaporation ponds at mining site","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2014\/06\/iStock-1362567340.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2014\/06\/iStock-1362567340.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2014\/06\/iStock-1362567340.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2014\/06\/iStock-1362567340.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2014\/06\/iStock-1362567340.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2014\/06\/iStock-1362567340.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13986,"url":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/best-practices-for-accurate-in-situ-geochemical-analysis\/","url_meta":{"origin":10847,"position":3},"title":"Best Practices for Accurate In Situ Geochemical Analysis","author":"Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane","date":"March 24, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"In situ geochemical analysis refers to elemental testing performed directly on geological materials in their natural location, avoiding the delays and costs associated with laboratory testing.\u00a0 While in situ geochemical analysis delivers immediate elemental data, the reliability of those results depends heavily on proper field methodology. Portable analytical technologies used\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Exploration"","block_context":{"text":"Exploration","link":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/exploration\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Mining truck on a dirt road in the Andes, Chile (near Embalse El Yeso, Caj\u00f3n del Maipo, San Jos\u00e9 de Maipo)","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/iStock-2222354034.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/iStock-2222354034.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/iStock-2222354034.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/iStock-2222354034.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/iStock-2222354034.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/iStock-2222354034.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1624,"url":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/a-halloween-treat-free-periodic-table\/","url_meta":{"origin":10847,"position":4},"title":"A Halloween Treat – Free Periodic Table","author":"Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane","date":"October 30, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"No tricks here. Download this handy periodic table and X-ray energy reference guide to help in analyzing your mining samples. \u00a0It's our treat. Then visit our Mining and Minerals, Cement Production, and Coal Power pages for more goodies. Download Periodic Table.\u00a0 \u00a0","rel":"","context":"In "Elemental\/Geochemical Analysis"","block_context":{"text":"Elemental\/Geochemical Analysis","link":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/elemental-geochemical-analysis\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"halloween scene with plastic pumpkin and candy","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/No-Tricks-.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/No-Tricks-.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/No-Tricks-.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/No-Tricks-.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/mining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/10\/No-Tricks-.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13977,"url":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/mining\/what-is-in-situ-geochemical-analysis-and-why-it-is-critical-for-modern-field-operations\/","url_meta":{"origin":10847,"position":5},"title":"What Is In Situ Geochemical Analysis \u2014 And Why It Is Critical for Modern Field Operations","author":"Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane","date":"March 13, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"In situ geochemical analysis has become a cornerstone of modern mineral exploration, mining, and environmental fieldwork. 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