Bitcoin miner reserves increase 1% despite operational pressure – Why?

ambcryptoPublished on 2026-07-16Last updated on 2026-07-16

Abstract

Bitcoin miner reserves have increased by 1% despite operational pressures, including declining hash rates and stressed revenues as indicated by a Puell Multiple below 1. While mining difficulty has dropped, providing some relief, it also reduces network security. Miner data shows net inflows and accumulation, suggesting they view BTC as undervalued and are not yet distributing their holdings. This accumulation has coincided with a slight BTC price recovery, with the cryptocurrency breaking above a key technical pattern. The outlook suggests that if miner reserves begin to decline while the Puell Multiple remains low, it could trigger forced selling and further price pressure.

Bitcoin [BTC] traded toward the $65,000 price level, having gained over 3% in the past 24 hours. The hash rate, on the other hand, is declining as Bitcoin miners continue moving into AI infrastructure.

How will the mining economics affect the current and future prices of Bitcoin?

Bitcoin miner revenue stressed as hash rate declines

Looking at the Puell Multiple, BTC miner stress is building, but miners remain adamant about selling.

The Puell Multiple has slipped below the 1 mark, with the reading at 0.71, slightly above the accumulation zone. Historically, the accumulation zone marks a tight revenue stress for miners, as it reflects the supply side of the Bitcoin economy.

Source: CoinGlass

Moreover, Hash Ribbons have printed yet another capitulation band as hashrate fades from its peak. Over the past year, hashrate has dropped from 1,106,922,137 TH/s last November to 995,460,294 TH/s.

Source: Blockchain.com/charts

Furthermore, Bitcoin mining difficulty has dropped another 5% to 127.17T, which is nearly 17% below the peak of 148.26T seen at the beginning of the year. This indicates miners are getting relief, but it does reduce the network’s security.

With difficulty reducing, a solo miner found a Bitcoin block and earned a full 3.1382 BTC reward worth about $200K. This was somehow luck, as the probability of finding a block with 1 TH/s was roughly 1 in 16,000 years.

Miner reserve flows ticking up...accumulation underway?

With that in mind, miner flows were ticking up as per CryptoQuant. That is, inflows outweighed outflows, though by a small margin.

The data showed miner reserves held 1.1943 million BTC, equivalent to $76.76 billion. This was a 1% increase, representing a net flow of more than 224 BTC. This data shows accumulation, as BTC is currently undervalued.

Source: CryptoQuant

From the data, it is clear that miners’ wallets are full and distribution has not yet started. The data indicates a supply overhang that is yet to be triggered.

Looking ahead, if miner reserves start bleeding while The Puell Multiple stays depressed, there will be forced selling.

How BTC be affected?

But since the reserves are not bleeding, the price of BTC is showing signs of recovery. It has broken above the neckline of an inverted head-and-shoulders pattern, but the signal is only valid if it can stay above it.

Source: BTC/USD on TradingView

Otherwise, a break below the neckline alongside miner selling would exert more pressure, curtailing the little recovery seen.

Final Summary

  • Bitcoin miners are seeing a decline in revenue, but they continue accumulating, with their reserves growing by 1%.
  • BTC price has seen a slight recovery due to accumulation, breaking above the neckline of a bullish reversal pattern.

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Related Questions

QAccording to the article, what is the main reason Bitcoin miner reserves increased by 1% despite operational pressure?

AThe article states that the 1% increase in miner reserves indicates accumulation, as Bitcoin (BTC) is currently considered undervalued. Miner inflows outweighed outflows, showing they are accumulating rather than selling their coins.

QWhat two key metrics mentioned in the article signal stress for Bitcoin miners?

AThe two key metrics signaling miner stress are the Puell Multiple, which has slipped below 1 to 0.71, indicating tight revenue stress, and the Hash Ribbons, which have printed a capitulation band as the network hash rate has declined from its peak.

QWhat does the drop in Bitcoin mining difficulty indicate, and what is a potential consequence for network security?

AThe drop in Bitcoin mining difficulty indicates that miners are getting some operational relief. However, the article notes that this reduction in difficulty also decreases the network's overall security.

QWhat technical price pattern has Bitcoin's price broken above, and what condition is required for this signal to be valid?

ABitcoin's price has broken above the neckline of an inverted head-and-shoulders pattern. The signal is only considered valid if the price can stay above this neckline.

QWhat future scenario could lead to forced selling by Bitcoin miners, according to the article's analysis?

AThe article suggests that forced selling by miners could occur if miner reserves start to decline (bleeding) while the Puell Multiple remains at depressed levels.

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