36 Across
NYT Daily • August 16, 2025
Like bismuth and bitcoin
Answer:
MINED
Hint:
Extracted from the earth or generated through complex calculations.
Explanation:
The clue hints at something extracted from the earth, since bismuth is a metal obtained through mining. Bitcoin also fits because it’s "mined" digitally by solving complex algorithms. The answer plays on the double meaning of "mined"—both the physical process for metals and the virtual process for cryptocurrency.