Bitcoin Mining Difficulty Near Yearly Low as Hashrate Declines

Bitcoin’s mining difficulty slipped by 1.31 % at block height 963,648, marking the 17th difficulty adjustment of 2026. The metric now sits at 125.81 trillion, barely above the year’s lowest reading.

Difficulty Trend in 2026

From the first adjustment on Jan 8 to the latest, the network recorded ten downward adjustments versus seven upward moves. Difficulty entered the year near 148.25 trillion and is now about 15.1 % lower.

Repeated Reversals Erase Gains

After a June 13 trough of 124.93 trillion, difficulty briefly recovered to 133.87 trillion, then fell again to 127.17 trillion, rose to 127.48 trillion, and settled at the current 125.81 trillion. Each rebound was quickly undone, leaving the level only 0.7 % above the 2026 low.

Hashrate Decline and Sidelined Power

The latest adjustment follows a 0.99 % increase at block 961,632 that was immediately offset by the 1.31 % drop. Analysts estimate roughly 150 exahash per second (EH/s) of mining power has left the network, pulling the hashrate well below its all‑time high.

Price Gap and Mining Margins

Bitcoin’s price remains about 38.8 % below its October 2025 all‑time high of $126,000, narrowing from a 50 % discount earlier in the year. The reduced difficulty and higher hashprice—up 20.41 % over four days—have improved mining margins, but the outlook remains fragile.

Outlook for the Next Adjustment

The upcoming difficulty adjustment will test whether the current price recovery can sustain mining profitability. A continued price rise could draw the sidelined 150 EH/s back online, eroding the difficulty discount, while a stalled price may trigger another drop.