[shuckles]

This whataboutism ignores the logic of the question: the banking system is not incentivized to burn power. You would expect each node to try to minimize their input costs to maximize returns. For a given unit of compute, putting in more energy does not increase profits for any participant in the traditional banking system. This isn’t the case for cryptocurrencies, so they are asked a fair question.

[svachalek]

This isn't the case for Proof of Work cryptocurrencies. Many newer networks are moving away from the POW model.

[shuckles]

There might be an answer to the original question. I was pointing out, “But what about banks!?” is simply not a good one, and why it isn’t.