Bitcoin Mining Difficulty Drops for the Fourth Time in Two Months
The Bitcoin mining difficulty decreased by 1.2% on January 8, dropping to 146.4 trillion, marking the fourth decline since early November 2025 and the first in 2026. This adjustment reflects reduced activity among miners, as indicated by the global hashrate falling from its peak of 1.31 Zh/s in October to 1.08 Zh/s. Experts attribute the lower difficulty to the market adapting to Bitcoin's price correction, which has declined 28% from its October high of $126,000 to around $90,000. Despite challenges, mining activity has persisted, and Bitcoin is increasingly recognized as a strategic infrastructure asset, including in the U.S. The industry is maturing, with regulatory frameworks emerging in jurisdictions like Russia. Looking ahead, the Industrial Mining Association in Russia anticipates market growth in 2026, driven by Bitcoin's potential recovery, institutional interest, and greater integration with AI and financial markets, possibly leading to initiatives like bond offerings, IPOs, and crypto-backed loans.
RBK-crypto01/08 11:32