Cryptominers Made $100K at an Airbnb, Running $1,500 Bill For Host

An Airbnb host recently faced an unexpected challenge when guests left behind a massive electricity bill after engaging in cryptocurrency mining. The incident has led to new house rules and serves as a cautionary tale for other property owners.

The Incident

Ashley Class, an Airbnb host, was shocked to receive a $1,500 electricity bill after guests stayed at her North Carolina property for three weeks. Upon investigation, she discovered that the guests had set up at least ten computers for cryptocurrency mining. This activity, which involves solving complex mathematical problems to validate transactions on a blockchain, consumes a significant amount of electricity.

Discovery and Documentation

Ashley found out about the mining operation through footage from outdoor cameras, which showed the guests hauling in the computers and setting up an electric vehicle charging station. She had to provide this documentation to Airbnb to prove the cause of the high electricity usage. Eventually, the guests were held accountable and paid the bill.

New House Rules

In response to the incident, Ashley has added “no crypto-mining” and “no electric vehicle charging” to her house rules. These new policies aim to prevent future guests from engaging in activities that could lead to excessive utility bills. Ashley’s experience has also prompted other Airbnb hosts to consider implementing similar bans to protect their properties.