Xinjiang's Computing Power Resurges, Then Gets Cleared Out Within 48 Hours: What Exactly Happened to the Bitcoin Network This Time?
On December 16, Bitcoin network hashrate dropped sharply within 48 hours, widely attributed to the concentrated shutdown and clearance of mining facilities in Xinjiang. Estimates suggest between 200,000 to 400,000 mining machines went offline, causing a hashrate decline of nearly 30%, from around 1200 EH/s to approximately 836 EH/s at its lowest.
The resurgence of mining in Xinjiang was driven by three factors: surplus energy capacity and low electricity prices, underutilized data center infrastructure seeking revenue, and shorter ROI periods for miners amid rising Bitcoin prices. Despite China’s clear policy against cryptocurrency mining—classifying it as an obsolete industry—mining resurfaced periodically due to economic pressures and infrastructure availability.
The recent crackdown was swift and severe, following a multi-department regulatory meeting emphasizing continued strict oversight of crypto-related activities, including anti-money laundering and cross-border capital risks. The concentrated nature of mining operations in specific regions meant that regulatory actions led to large-scale, simultaneous shutdowns.
Short-term impacts include disrupted cash flows for miners and potential market volatility due to heightened policy sensitivity. In the medium term, the Bitcoin network will adjust mining difficulty, and hashrate is likely to migrate to other regions. The event underscores that mining in China remains a high-risk, grey-area activity driven by economic incentives rather than regulatory greenlight.
marsbit12/16 04:33
