Blockstream to partner with Australia's Macquarie for green bitcoin mining

FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: The logo of Australia's biggest investment bank Macquarie Group Ltd adorns a desk in the reception area of its Sydney office headquarters in Australia, Oct. 28, 2016. REUTERS/David Gray/File Photo/File Photo

(Reuters) - Blockchain firm Blockstream Mining said on Thursday it would partner with Australian financial conglomerate Macquarie Group to develop bitcoin mining facilities that use renewable energy.

Bitcoin is the world's biggest cryptocurrency and is "mined" using vast amounts of electricity generated with fossil fuels, leading to criticism over the environmental harm from mining.