Just before this BBC podcast gets underway, here's something you may not know.

My name's Linda Davies and I Commission Podcasts for BBC Sounds.

As you'd expect, at the BBC we make podcasts of the very highest quality featuring the most knowledgeable

experts and genuinely engaging voices. What you may not know is that the BBC

makes podcasts about all kinds of things like pop stars,

poltergeist, cricket, and conspiracy theories and that's just a few examples.

If you'd like to discover something a little bit unexpected, find your next podcast over at BBC Sounds.

Welcome to More or Less, I'm Charlotte.

Insert your Christmas-themed number joke here.

Over the last few weeks, there has been one hot topic in the more or less inbox, Bitcoin.

Loyal listeners have contacted us about big claims in the media

they've seen about Bitcoin and energy.

Bitcoin mining consumes more electricity a year than Ireland.

By July 2019, the Bitcoin network will require more electricity than the entire United States currently uses.

I think we should probably start with the basics.

What is Bitcoin and why does it need a lot of electricity?

With me to help is Jordan Dunbar.

Hello Jordan, do you know lots about Bitcoin?

I mean, you know, I know a little bit, but...

But think of me as representing the role of the listener,

always ready with smart questions and a sharp

weight. Yeah, okay. Bitcoin is a form of electronic money. Now the electronic bit is not that special. It's commonplace. You mean for example I can access

...