Qubic Energy Efficiency Calculator
Compare Qubic's energy usage with other major blockchains and see how much energy you could save by using Qubic's AI-powered blockchain.
Energy Comparison for transactions:
Qubic isn't just another cryptocurrency. It's a blockchain built to train artificial intelligence while processing transactions - and it’s doing something no other network has pulled off at scale. Launched in mid-2022 by Sergey Ivancheglo, the same mind behind IOTA, Qubic combines a unique consensus system with a radical idea: what if the energy used to secure a blockchain didn’t just burn electricity, but actually built something useful?
How Qubic Works: Quorum-Based Computation
At its core, Qubic stands for Quorum-Based Computation. That means instead of thousands of random miners competing to solve math puzzles, Qubic uses exactly 676 fixed nodes called Computors. These aren’t regular miners - they’re specialized validators chosen for their reliability and hardware performance. To confirm any transaction or smart contract, at least 451 of these 676 Computors must agree. This quorum system isn’t just about security - it’s about speed.
Because there are so few nodes and they’re tightly coordinated, Qubic achieves block times as fast as 0.2 seconds. That’s 5 times faster than Solana under ideal conditions. CertiK, a top blockchain security firm, verified Qubic’s mainnet throughput at 15.5 million transactions per second (TPS). For comparison, Ethereum handles about 30 TPS. Even Bitcoin, which maxes out around 7 TPS, looks like a slow dial-up connection next to this.
Useful Proof-of-Work: Mining AI Instead of Wasting Power
Here’s where Qubic breaks the mold. Traditional Proof-of-Work blockchains like Bitcoin use massive amounts of electricity to hash data - energy that’s gone the moment a block is confirmed. Qubic’s Useful Proof-of-Work (UPoW) turns that waste into value.
Every time a Computor validates a transaction, it’s also running calculations that train a custom AI system called Aigarth. This isn’t just a side project - it’s the whole point. The goal? To reach Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) by 2027. That’s ambitious. Critics say it’s unrealistic. But the math behind it is sound: by pooling the idle computing power of thousands of machines worldwide, Qubic is building one of the largest distributed AI training networks on the planet.
Unlike Bitcoin, which consumes over 110 terawatt-hours annually (more than Argentina), Qubic’s energy use directly contributes to a real-world AI goal. That’s not greenwashing - it’s a functional shift in how blockchain resources are used.
The Qubic Token: Qubic Units (QUs)
The native token of Qubic is called Qubic Units, or QUs. It’s not a currency you spend like Bitcoin or Ethereum - it’s a unit of computational power. When you run a smart contract on Qubic, you pay in QUs. The Computors that execute it earn QUs as rewards. But here’s the twist: instead of those rewards going straight to wallets, most of them get burned.
Every epoch (a fixed time period), exactly 1 trillion QUs are created. They’re distributed among Computors based on their performance. If a Computor is slow or unreliable, part of its reward is automatically destroyed. This keeps the system honest. The total supply will reach 1,000 trillion QUs over roughly 19 years. That’s a slow, predictable inflation rate - nothing like the sudden dumps seen in meme coins.
And yes, transactions are feeless. No gas fees. No surprise charges. You send QUs without paying extra. Only smart contract execution costs anything - and even then, the cost is set by the Computors themselves through voting, then burned to control supply.
Why C++? The Speed Advantage
Most blockchains use virtual machines to run smart contracts - Ethereum uses the EVM, Solana uses Rust-based programs. Qubic skips the middleman. Smart contracts are written directly in C++ and run on bare metal. No emulation. No sandboxing. Just raw speed.
This means contracts execute in seconds instead of minutes. For applications like real-time gaming, high-frequency trading, or live supply chain tracking, that’s a game-changer. But there’s a catch: C++ is harder to learn than Solidity. Most developers come from Ethereum or Solana backgrounds and need 30-40 hours just to get comfortable with Qubic’s system. Documentation is sparse, and real-world examples are limited. GitHub issues show developers struggling with unclear guides - a major bottleneck for growth.
How Qubic Compares to Other Blockchains
| Feature | Qubic | Ethereum | Solana | Bitcoin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TPS (Verified) | 15.5 million | 30 | 65,000 (peak) | 7 |
| Consensus | Quorum-Based + UPoW | Proof-of-Stake | Proof-of-History + PoS | Proof-of-Work |
| Smart Contract Language | C++ | Solidity | Rust, C, etc. | None (limited scripting) |
| Transaction Fees | Feeless for transfers | $1.50-$50+ | $0.01-$0.50 | $0.10-$5 |
| Energy Use | Used for AI training | Low (PoS) | Low (PoS) | Extremely high |
| Developer Ecosystem | Small, niche | 4,000+ dApps | 1,000+ dApps | Minimal |
Qubic wins on raw speed and energy efficiency. It loses on ecosystem size. Ethereum has DeFi, NFTs, DAOs, and millions of users. Qubic has… mostly AI researchers and a few early adopters testing supply chain pilots. That’s not a weakness - it’s a stage. But it’s also a risk.
Who’s Using Qubic Right Now?
Adoption is still early. There are no big-name brands running on Qubic yet. But there are signals:
- Supply chain tracking: Pilot programs use Qubic’s feeless, instant transactions to log real-time cargo movements across borders.
- AI training collectives: Researchers in Europe and Asia are pooling Qubic Computor power to train small neural nets for medical imaging and climate modeling.
- Gaming microtransactions: Indie developers are testing in-game item trades with zero fees and sub-second finality.
On Reddit, users report sending 10,000 test transactions in under 2 seconds - with no cost. That’s real. But when they try to build a smart contract, they hit walls. Documentation is technical but incomplete. Discord has 8,500 members - tiny compared to Ethereum’s 750,000+. You won’t find tutorials on YouTube for building a Qubic dApp. You’ll find forum threads and GitHub issues.
Is Qubic a Good Investment?
As of November 2025, Qubic’s market cap sits at around $109 million, ranking #259 on CoinMarketCap. That’s tiny next to Ethereum’s $230 billion. But it’s also not a meme coin. It’s a high-risk, high-reward bet on a single, bold idea: that blockchain can be the engine for AGI.
Some experts see potential. John Wu of Avatar New York compares Qubic to $TAO, another AI-focused blockchain. Dr. Michael Mainelli of Z/Yen Group calls UPoW “theoretically elegant.” But Dr. Jane Thompson at MIT says achieving AGI by 2027 through blockchain is “highly optimistic.”
Here’s the reality: Qubic’s value is tied to one thing - whether Aigarth actually becomes useful. If it does, demand for QUs could explode as companies rent out its AI training capacity. If it doesn’t? The network becomes a fast, feeless blockchain with no killer app. That’s a narrow path.
How to Get Started with Qubic
If you’re a developer or tech enthusiast, here’s how to dive in:
- Download Qubic Core v1.4.2 from the official website.
- Meet minimum specs: 4GB RAM, 50GB SSD, dual-core CPU.
- Join the Discord server (8,500+ members) for help with setup.
- Read the C++ smart contract documentation - it’s dry, but it’s all there.
- Run a test Computor node. Expect 2-3 failed attempts before it stabilizes.
For regular users: you can buy QUBIC tokens on Gate.io, BitMart, or Bitstore. But don’t expect to use them for anything beyond holding - wallets are limited, and there’s no mainstream app to spend them yet.
The Road Ahead: 2024 and Beyond
Qubic’s roadmap is aggressive. Version 2.0, due in Q3 2024, will cut block times further and expand AI integration. A partnership with NeuroChain in late 2023 aims to boost Aigarth’s training speed. If these upgrades deliver, Qubic could become a key player in decentralized AI.
But the biggest hurdle isn’t tech - it’s trust. Can a blockchain with only 676 nodes truly be decentralized? Critics say yes - because those nodes are distributed globally and selected by merit. Others say no - because the number is fixed, and control is concentrated. That debate isn’t going away.
Qubic isn’t trying to be the next Ethereum. It’s trying to be the first blockchain that doesn’t just record value - it creates it. Whether that’s a revolution or a footnote in crypto history depends on one thing: does Aigarth wake up?
Is Qubic a scam?
No, Qubic is not a scam. It’s an open-source project with publicly available code on GitHub, a clear roadmap, and a founder with a proven track record (Sergey Ivancheglo co-founded IOTA). The team has released technical documentation, mainnet data, and performance certifications from CertiK. However, it’s a high-risk project with unproven outcomes - especially around its AGI goals. Don’t confuse transparency with guaranteed success.
Can I mine Qubic like Bitcoin?
No, you can’t mine Qubic with regular hardware. Qubic uses Computors - fixed, vetted nodes that validate transactions and train AI. You can’t just download software and start earning. To become a Computor, you need to apply, meet strict hardware and uptime requirements, and be selected by the network. It’s not open mining - it’s a curated validator system.
What’s the difference between Qubic and IOTA?
IOTA used a directed acyclic graph (DAG) called Tangle and focused on IoT microtransactions with feeless transfers. Qubic uses a blockchain with quorum-based consensus and is built for AI training. Both were founded by Sergey Ivancheglo, but they’re different technologies. IOTA struggled with centralization and security issues. Qubic is trying to fix those problems with a new architecture.
Is Qubic eco-friendly?
Yes - if you accept its premise. Unlike Bitcoin, which burns energy for no practical output, Qubic uses the same computational power to train AI. The energy isn’t wasted - it’s redirected toward a goal. Whether that goal (AGI) is achievable is another question. But compared to traditional PoW chains, Qubic’s model is far more efficient and purposeful.
Where can I buy QUBIC tokens?
QUBIC tokens are available on exchanges like Gate.io, BitMart, and Bitstore. You won’t find them on Coinbase or Binance. Always use official links - scams are common with lesser-known coins. Only invest what you can afford to lose, since liquidity is low and price swings can be extreme.
Can I run a Qubic Computor node at home?
Technically yes, but practically, it’s difficult. You need a dedicated server with 2+ cores, 8GB+ RAM, SSD storage, and 24/7 uptime. Most home setups can’t handle the load. Even if you meet specs, you still need to be selected by the network. Only 676 slots exist - competition is high. Most nodes are run by professional operators or research groups.
What happens if Qubic fails to reach AGI by 2027?
If Aigarth doesn’t reach AGI, Qubic won’t disappear. The blockchain will still function as a fast, feeless network. Developers could still build applications on it - just without the AI hype. Its value would shift from speculative AI potential to practical use cases like supply chain logging or real-time gaming. The tech itself is solid - the risk is in the ambition.
24 Comments
jocelyn cortez
Been running a Computor node for 6 months. The setup was rough but once it stabilized, the speed is insane. No fees, no lag. I’ve seen 10k test txs go through in under 2 seconds. Real stuff.
Kathy Alexander
15.5 million TPS? Sure. And I’m the CEO of NASA. CertiK verified it? They verified a lot of things that turned out to be vaporware. This feels like a crypto Ponzi with a fancy AI coat of paint.
Tejas Kansara
Real talk: if you’re a dev, learn C++. It’s not easy but the payoff is real. I spent 3 days just getting my first contract to compile. Now it runs in 80ms. Worth it.
Belle Bormann
Did anyone else notice the docs say ‘minimum 4GB RAM’ but the Discord mods say ‘8GB recommended’? I wasted 2 days on a 4GB machine. Don’t make my mistake.
Dave Sorrell
Qubic’s architecture is fundamentally different from Ethereum or Solana. It’s not trying to be a general-purpose chain. It’s a specialized AI compute layer. That’s not a flaw - it’s a focused design. Most blockchains are jack-of-all-trades, master of none.
Jenny Charland
AGI by 2027? LOL. We can’t even get GPT-5 to stop hallucinating. This is like claiming your toaster will cure cancer. Cute. But no.
Soham Kulkarni
in india we have many old servers sitting idle. if qubic lets us use them, why not? energy waste is waste. if it trains ai, better than watching youtube all day
David Hardy
Just ran my first Computor. Got 0.0003 QUs as reward. Felt like winning the lottery. The tech is real. The hype? Still growing. But the foundation? Solid.
Caren Potgieter
from cape town here - i tried to join the network but my upload speed was too slow. the team was super nice and helped me tweak settings. small community but big heart
Amanda Cheyne
676 nodes? That’s not decentralized. That’s a cartel. Who picks these nodes? Who’s behind the selection? Sergey’s old team? The same people who ghosted IOTA’s community? This is just centralized control with a blockchain label.
Daryl Chew
They’re not mining crypto. They’re mining AGI. And when it wakes up, it’ll shut down every central bank, every stock exchange, and every government database. This isn’t a coin. It’s the trigger.
Jane A
People are acting like this is the future. It’s not. It’s a rich guy’s toy. C++? No one uses that anymore. Real devs use Python. This is 2005 tech with a crypto sticker.
Rajesh pattnaik
in india we have 300 million people with smartphones but no bank accounts. if qubic lets them send money without fees, why not? it’s not about agi. it’s about access.
Sky Sky Report blog
It’s fascinating how this project forces you to choose: are you here for the tech or the hype? I came for the speed. Stayed for the quiet community. No shouting. No moon memes. Just code.
stuart white
Let’s be real - if this works, it’s the most important crypto project since Bitcoin. If it fails? Still the fastest blockchain ever built. Either way, you’re watching history unfold. No other chain gives you that.
Emily Michaelson
Anyone else notice the QUs burn rate is way higher than the mint rate? That’s deflationary pressure. Even if the price is low now, the tokenomics are designed to increase scarcity over time. Smart.
preet kaur
i know people say ‘no one uses this’ but i’ve seen a small hospital in delhi use it to track vaccine shipments. no delays. no fees. just real work. that’s more than most chains can say
Anne Jackson
Why should Americans care about some Indian blockchain project? We have our own tech. We don’t need some obscure coin with 8,500 Discord members. This is just another foreign crypto scam trying to steal our attention.
John Borwick
Qubic’s not for everyone. But if you’re tired of gas fees and slow confirmations and want something that actually does something useful? Give it a shot. No hype. No influencers. Just a network that works.
Jennifer MacLeod
Been watching this for a year. No pump. No dump. Just steady progress. The team doesn’t tweet. They code. And that’s rare.
Matthew Prickett
What if the AI doesn’t reach AGI? What if it just becomes a fancy supply chain tracker? Then Qubic becomes the most efficient ledger ever built - and still nobody cares. That’s the real tragedy.
Lisa Hubbard
I read the entire post. Then I read it again. Then I read the GitHub issues. Then I read the Discord logs. Then I gave up. This is like trying to understand quantum physics while drunk. The idea is cool. The execution? Too many moving parts. Too little guidance. Too much jargon. Too little hope.
Jody Veitch
Qubic? A blockchain for AI? How quaint. In Europe, we’ve had AI-powered consensus since 2021. This is just American crypto theater with a C++ veneer. The rest of the world has moved on.
jocelyn cortez
Just got my first Computor reward payout. 0.002 QUs. Worth less than a coffee. But I didn’t do it for the money. I did it because I believe in the tech. And if you’re reading this and you’re a dev? Try it. Just once. You’ll see.