Miners Face Renewed Pressure Despite Recent Difficulty Drop
Bitcoin miners saw brief relief this week after the network’s mining difficulty edged lower, but forecasts point to a potentially tougher environment ahead. With hashprice hovering near record lows, the upcoming difficulty adjustment scheduled for Dec. 11 is expected to slightly increase network difficulty once again.
Difficulty Set for Another Upward Move
According to projections, the next adjustment will occur at block 927,360, lifting difficulty from 149.30 trillion to approximately 149.80 trillion.
This comes just days after the previous adjustment decreased difficulty from 152.2 trillion, bringing average block times to 9.97 minutes, slightly faster than the ten-minute target.
Despite the recent easing, miners remain under pressure. Hashprice — a key profitability metric measuring expected revenue per unit of computing power — currently sits around $38.3 per PH/s per day, only slightly above the record low below $35 PH/s reached on Nov. 21.
A hashprice of $40 per PH/s is widely considered the break-even threshold for many operations.
Industry Strains Intensify Amid Regulatory and Geopolitical Risks
The mining sector continues to navigate increasing challenges, including rising energy costs, tightening regulations, and strained supply chains. Escalating tensions between the United States and China could further complicate access to essential mining hardware.
Concerns have intensified as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security investigates Bitmain, the industry’s largest ASIC manufacturer, over potential security risks. Bitmain controls an estimated 80% share of the global ASIC market, meaning any restrictions or sanctions could create significant shortages.
Such disruptions could heavily impact miners already operating near profitability limits.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.