Crypto Miners Make $100K Using Airbnb — But Leave Host With $1,500 Electric Bill: 'It Was Cheaper For Them To Rent A House'

When Ashley, an Airbnb host, rented out her property, she expected the usual wear and tear. What she didn’t anticipate was a $1,500 electric bill and a crash course in cryptocurrency mining.

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She recounted her experience in a TikTok video that quickly gained traction online. What initially seemed like a standard three-week rental ended up being anything but standard.

“The guests left the house in amazing condition, five stars all the way,” Ashley said. “No issues. Except.. when the electric bill came.”

Upon reviewing outdoor security footage, the Airbnb host discovered that her guests had been operating a makeshift cryptocurrency mining setup, complete with at least 10 computers.

"I looked back at the footage when they were leaving," she said in the video. "They were bringing out like 10 different computers."

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Cryptocurrency mining, the process of validating digital currency transactions and generating new coins, is notoriously energy-intensive. Recent data suggests that a small number of crypto miners consume a disproportionate amount of electricity in the U.S.

The guests’ operation was apparently profitable. In a follow-up comment, Ashley said, “He made over $100,000 in those three weeks, so a $1,500 electric bill was nothing.”

The Airbnb owner's experience points to a trend of crypto miners seeking out alternative venues to power their operations. Benzinga reported earlier this year that a Massachusetts teacher, Nadeam Nahas, was charged after authorities uncovered an elaborate cryptocurrency mining operation he had set up in a crawl space under Cohasset High School, where he worked.

The discovery was made when a town facilities inspector noticed an unusual electrical setup, including multiple computers and temporary ductwork. Local police, alerted by the town's IT director, investigated and found that Nahas had been running the operation using the school’s electricity. 

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The case, which also involved assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard and Homeland Security, highlighted how the high cost of electricity drives miners to seek unconventional solutions.

“It was cheaper for them to rent a house to pay for that electricity,” Ashley said of her own experience.

She reported having to “fight” with Airbnb to charge the guests for the excessive electricity usage, though she eventually recouped the costs.

Now, Ashley has a new rule for her renters seeking to use her property: “No crypto-mining.”

As the crypto mining landscape continues to evolve, short-term rental hosts may need to become more vigilant about how their properties are used. 

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