GPU Rental Costs Jump 38% Amid Claim That AI Cryptomining Network Burns 112MW on 'Zero Useful Computation'

A new analysis claims an AI-branded cryptomining network operating 320,000 RTX 3090-class GPUs consumes 112 megawatts of power while performing only random matrix operations—not genuine AI work. Meanwhile, GPU rental prices across the market have surged 38%, driven by genuine inference and training demand.

The report highlights GPU capacity misallocation and pricing volatility. For infrastructure planners, this signals both supply constraints (driving rental premiums) and the need for workload verification to avoid paying premium rates for non-productive GPU time.