• bitcoinBitcoin (BTC) $ 79,180.00 0.24%
  • ethereumEthereum (ETH) $ 1,568.81 1.52%
  • tetherTether (USDT) $ 0.999556 0.03%
  • xrpXRP (XRP) $ 1.93 2.84%
  • bnbBNB (BNB) $ 558.46 0.47%
  • usd-coinUSDC (USDC) $ 0.999897 0.01%
  • solanaSolana (SOL) $ 107.59 0.19%
  • dogecoinDogecoin (DOGE) $ 0.149621 1.6%
  • tronTRON (TRX) $ 0.228790 1.02%
  • cardanoCardano (ADA) $ 0.588287 1.44%
  • bitcoinBitcoin (BTC) $ 79,180.00 0.24%
  • ethereumEthereum (ETH) $ 1,568.81 1.52%
  • tetherTether (USDT) $ 0.999556 0.03%
  • xrpXRP (XRP) $ 1.93 2.84%
  • bnbBNB (BNB) $ 558.46 0.47%
  • usd-coinUSDC (USDC) $ 0.999897 0.01%
  • solanaSolana (SOL) $ 107.59 0.19%
  • dogecoinDogecoin (DOGE) $ 0.149621 1.6%
  • tronTRON (TRX) $ 0.228790 1.02%
  • cardanoCardano (ADA) $ 0.588287 1.44%
  • bitcoinBitcoin (BTC) $ 79,180.00 0.24%
  • ethereumEthereum (ETH) $ 1,568.81 1.52%
  • tetherTether (USDT) $ 0.999556 0.03%
  • xrpXRP (XRP) $ 1.93 2.84%
  • bnbBNB (BNB) $ 558.46 0.47%
  • usd-coinUSDC (USDC) $ 0.999897 0.01%
  • solanaSolana (SOL) $ 107.59 0.19%
  • dogecoinDogecoin (DOGE) $ 0.149621 1.6%
  • tronTRON (TRX) $ 0.228790 1.02%
  • cardanoCardano (ADA) $ 0.588287 1.44%
  • bitcoinBitcoin (BTC) $ 79,180.00 0.24%
  • ethereumEthereum (ETH) $ 1,568.81 1.52%
  • tetherTether (USDT) $ 0.999556 0.03%
  • xrpXRP (XRP) $ 1.93 2.84%
  • bnbBNB (BNB) $ 558.46 0.47%
  • usd-coinUSDC (USDC) $ 0.999897 0.01%
  • solanaSolana (SOL) $ 107.59 0.19%
  • dogecoinDogecoin (DOGE) $ 0.149621 1.6%
  • tronTRON (TRX) $ 0.228790 1.02%
  • cardanoCardano (ADA) $ 0.588287 1.44%
image-alt-1BTC Dominance: 58.93%
image-alt-2 ETH Dominance: 12.89%
image-alt-3 BTC/ETH Ratio: 26.62%
image-alt-4 Total Market Cap 24h: $2.51T
image-alt-5Volume 24h: $144.96B
image-alt-6 ETH Gas Price: 3.97 Gwei

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China's underwater data center

China’s underwater data center expands in scale and ambition with HiCloud project

Yousef Haddad Yousef Haddad

China’s underwater data center is taking a bold leap forward with the expansion of the HiCloud project.

Built off the coast of Lingshui, Hainan, this futuristic marine facility just grew to 100 operational data cabins. The vision? To become the largest underwater data center in the world.

HiCloud’s operator, Highlander, isn’t just breaking records. They’re setting new standards for green technology and data infrastructure. Each underwater module is engineered to reduce energy usage and harness ocean cooling. This leads to a 40 percent energy saving compared to traditional data centers. Plus, with no need for air conditioning, power consumption drops dramatically.

The second phase of development, completed recently, added 75 cabins to the original 25. Together, they now handle over four million images and nearly 40 million short videos daily. These digital workloads show that China’s underwater data center is more than a novelty—it’s a powerhouse.

Sustainable and Efficient: Data Goes Deep-Sea

This expansion isn’t just about size—it’s about sustainability. Ocean water provides a natural heat sink, drastically cutting energy waste. The system also avoids land constraints, a huge advantage in space-limited regions. With submarine fiber cables connecting it to the internet, performance remains strong despite the unusual location.

While the technology is still young, Highlander has big plans. The team aims to construct 1,000 underwater data cabins within five years. That could make China’s underwater data center not just the biggest but a global model for energy-efficient IT infrastructure.

The Lingshui setup already shows strong results. Alongside reduced emissions, the environment around the facility remains stable. Regular marine inspections suggest minimal impact on sea life, addressing early concerns about ecological disruption.

China’s underwater data center as a tech trendsetter

This project reflects China’s growing push into next-gen technologies. The integration of AIClick here for more Details, cloud storage, and marine engineering is bold and strategic. By pairing green power with high-volume data handling, China’s underwater data center sets a precedent for global tech giants.

Crypto game developers and Web3 platforms should take note. If this model proves viable at scale, future gamingClick here for more Details servers could float—or sink—beneath the waves. Imagine lag-free, eco-friendly blockchain games powered by deep-sea server farms.

As the Highlander expands its reach, it may also redefine edge computing, bringing data physically closer to coastal megacities. That means faster response times for users and lower latency in high-performance applications—like immersive metaverse experiences.

 

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What is China’s underwater data center and why is it important?

China’s underwater data center is a marine-based IT infrastructure developed by Highlander in Lingshui, Hainan. It uses ocean water for cooling, eliminating the need for traditional HVAC systems and significantly reducing energy consumption. This technology is important because it offers a sustainable, space-saving alternative to land-based data centers, which often struggle with high power use and limited real estate. The center also demonstrates China’s innovation in combining marine engineering with digital services, creating a model for future green tech developments.

How does the underwater data center benefit the crypto gaming industry?

For crypto gaming and Web3 platforms, speed, scalability, and sustainability are key. An underwater data center like China’s provides high-performance computing while drastically lowering environmental impact. By reducing cooling costs and increasing power efficiency, such infrastructure could support massive multiplayer environments and blockchain validations without compromising on eco-responsibility. Additionally, edge computing capabilities from coastal underwater setups could offer faster load times and reduced latency—ideal for immersive and responsive gameplay.

Is underwater data storage safe and sustainable in the long term?

Yes, if properly maintained. China’s model includes strict marine monitoring to ensure minimal ecological impact. The hardware is housed in sealed pressure-resistant modules, designed to function under extreme conditions. Ocean-based cooling is passive and renewable, making it more sustainable than energy-intensive air conditioning. Regular inspections and fiber-optic connections maintain both system integrity and network performance. As this infrastructure evolves, long-term sustainability depends on responsible scaling and continuous environmental assessments.

Could we see more countries adopting underwater data centers?

Definitely. With rising energy costs and growing demands for eco-friendly solutions, many countries are exploring alternative data center models. Microsoft has already tested underwater data pods, and other tech leaders are experimenting with marine and modular solutions. China’s underwater data center expansion adds momentum to this trend, proving it can be done at scale. As blockchain gaming and AI workloads increase globally, countries with coastlines and tech ambitions may look beneath the surface for their next infrastructure leap.

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