This week’s Crypto Biz examines X’s upcoming payment system, the NYSE’s potential 24/7 trading, Block’s expansion into Bitcoin mining, and more.
Bitcoin miner profits get squeezed as hash price drops to lowest since October 2023
After enjoying record profits during Bitcoin’s recent halving, miners now face a sharp decline in hash prices.
Jack Dorsey’s Block announces development of ‘full Bitcoin mining system’
The Block — then Square — CEO initially suggested the idea of a collaborative approach to decentralize Bitcoin mining in October 2021.
Bitcoin Miner Hut 8’s Post-Merger Prospects Look Good: Benchmark
The new Hut 8 (HUT), resulting from the merger with US Bitcoin Corporation (USBTC) that closed last November, features a diversified business model with multiple revenue streams, broker Benchmark said in a research report on Monday.
Bitcoin Miners May Shift Focus to AI After Halving, CoinShares Says
Miners will be faced with substantial cost increases as a result of the halving, with electricity and bitcoin production costs almost doubling, the report said.
Bitcoin Blockchain Undergoes Fourth Halving in 15-Year History, in Show of Monetary Policy Set by Code
Soccer has the World Cup. Athletics and many other sports have the Olympics. Crypto has the halving. The milestone in the blockchain’s 15-year history technically means a cut in rewards for crypto miners with each block – a feature designed to minimize inflation.
This Bitcoin Halving Is Different. But Is It ‘Priced In’?
Institutions launching Bitcoin ETFs this year have buoyed the bitcoin price to record levels. Does that mean the impact of the halving — the four-year slashing of the bitcoin reward — will be relatively muted this time, as any pontential bump is “priced in”?
Crypto for Advisors: Bitcoin’s Supply Reduction
What does Bitcoin’s fourth halving mean, and why does it matter?
Tether Reorganizes Into 4 Divisions as It Expands Beyond Stablecoins
The company has formed four divisions to reflect its broadening focus: Data, Finance, Power and Edu(cation).
Norway Wants to Restrict Crypto Mining by Regulating Data Centers, Lawmakers Say: Report
Energy-intensive crypto mining is an example of a type of business not wanted in Norway, Minister for Energy Terje Aasland reportedly said.
Australian Court Hands Over $41 Million of Crypto Held by Blockchain Mining Group at Regulator’s Request
An Australian federal court agreed to a petition by markets regulator ASIC to hand over some US$41 million in digital assets invested by over 450 Australians with the mining companies to specialists from advisory and restructuring company McGrathNicol.
EU Watchdog Says Reordering Blockchain Transactions Might Be Market Abuse. Industry Says It’s Not
Maximum Extractable Value (MEV), in which crypto miners reorder transactions they validate for profit, is not inherently bad, some policy experts point out.
Bitcoin Mining Was More Profitable in February Than January: Jefferies
Publicly traded North American mining companies produced a smaller share of new bitcoin last month, slipping to 17.5% of the total network, the report said.
Bitcoin Year-End Price Target Raised to $90K at Bernstein
Bitcoin Miners Brace For Impact As Difficulty Reaches Unprecedented Levels
The winds of change are blowing through the Bitcoin landscape. On March 14th, 2024, the network witnessed a monumental shift – mining difficulty skyrocketed to a record-breaking 84 trillion hashes. This unprecedented challenge coincides with another significant event on the horizon: the Bitcoin halving slated for April.
According to BTC.com, the rate has risen by nearly 5.80% since the previous modification. The mining hashrate for the original coin has also peaked, indicating that more people are now participating in the mining process. At present, the value stands at 617 EH/s.
Bitcoin Mining: The Difficulty Dilemma
Mining Bitcoin is no easy feat. Miners compete to solve complex cryptographic puzzles, and the difficulty of these puzzles adjusts based on the overall network hash rate. As more miners join the network, the difficulty increases to ensure a steady block production rate (roughly 1 block every 10 minutes).
This recent surge in difficulty signifies an influx of new miners, likely drawn by Bitcoin’s recent price rally that saw it peak at a staggering $73,800 on the same day.
The Halving Effect
The upcoming halving event in April throws another variable into the equation. Every four years, the block reward for miners – the amount of Bitcoin earned for successfully mining a block – is cut in half.
This economic policy is a cornerstone of Bitcoin’s design, aiming to control inflation and maintain scarcity over time. The last halving in May 2020 witnessed a significant price increase in the following months, and many analysts believe the upcoming halving will follow suit.
Here’s the logic: with the supply of new Bitcoins being halved, the existing ones become relatively more scarce, potentially driving the price up due to increased demand.
A Balancing Act For Miners
Despite the rising difficulty, the potential for Bitcoin’s price to appreciate after the halving could incentivize miners to weather the storm. This economic incentive is bolstered by the recent spike in mining rewards, which reached nearly $79 million
This suggests that even with the increased difficulty, miners are still reaping substantial profits due to the high Bitcoin price. However, the long-term sustainability of this model is debatable.
As difficulty continues to climb, the energy consumption required for mining will also rise. It raises concerns about the environmental impact of Bitcoin mining, especially considering the reliance on non-renewable energy sources in some regions.
Beyond The Headlines
The narrative surrounding Bitcoin’s recent surge often focuses on its price and the upcoming halving. However, there are crucial underlying factors to consider.
The ever-increasing mining difficulty raises questions about the long-term viability of proof-of-work, Bitcoin’s current consensus mechanism. Alternative, more energy-efficient mechanisms are being explored, but their widespread adoption remains uncertain.
Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView
Crypto Miners Still Selling Their Bitcoin as Reward Halving Looms, Blockchain Data Show
The number of bitcoin held in wallets tied to miners has dropped to the lowest since mid-2021.
Bitcoin Miner Marathon’s Shares Outperform Peers Ahead of Possible ‘Strong’ Earnings Report
The miner is expected to report a “strong acceleration in Q/Q revenue growth” due to a rally in bitcoin prices, said a Jefferies analyst.
Texas Blockchain Council, Riot Platforms Sue Dept. of Energy, OMB Over ‘Emergency’ Survey
The Texas Blockchain Council (TBC) and Riot Platforms, one of the largest crypto miners in the state, sued the U.S. Department of Energy for trying to collect information from many of its members, including Riot.
Is the DOE Crypto Mining Data Request an Opportunity for Energy Innovation or for Political Opportunists?
Bitcoin Mining and the Politicization of a Once Reputable Federal Agency
The Department of Energy’s statistics wing is feigning an “emergency” to attack legitimate U.S. businesses and score political points, Texas Blockchain Council President Lee Bratcher and Chamber of Digital Commerce CEO Perianne Boring write.