Bitcoin Mining Difficulty Drops as Dormant 2,000 BTC Liquidated by Early Miner
Autor: Mining Provider Editorial Staff
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Kategorie: News
Zusammenfassung: Bitcoin mining difficulty dropped to 146.4 trillion on January 8, 2026, amid profitability challenges for miners; simultaneously, an early miner liquidated 2,000 BTC after holding since 2010. This trend of dormant asset liquidation may impact future market stability and price movements.
Bitcoin Mining Difficulty Dips in 2026
The Bitcoin mining difficulty experienced a notable decrease on January 8, 2026, dropping to 146.4 trillion. This adjustment marks the first of the year, with the next expected to rise to 148.2 trillion, as reported by Cryptopolitan. The decline in mining difficulty comes amid challenges faced by miners, including a halving of mining license fees in 2024 and decreasing hash prices, which have led to reduced profitability.
Analysts have noted that the average block time was recorded at 9.88 minutes, slightly below the target of 10 minutes, suggesting that the upcoming adjustment could further increase the difficulty level. The Bitcoin mining sector is currently under pressure due to falling cryptocurrency prices and U.S. tariffs, which have compounded the challenges faced by mining operations.
"Bitcoin miners are facing significant challenges in profitability as margins have sharply declined due to the halving of block rewards in April 2024," stated industry analysts.
In summary, the Bitcoin mining difficulty has decreased, but the sector is bracing for a potential increase in difficulty due to market conditions and regulatory pressures.
Ancient Whale Liquidates 2,000 Bitcoins Dormant Since 2010
A Bitcoin miner has transferred 2,000 BTC, valued at nearly $200 million, to Coinbase after holding them since 2010. This transfer is part of a growing trend where early Bitcoin holders are liquidating their dormant assets, as observed by Cryptopolitan. The coins were stored across 40 vintage BTC addresses from the early mining era, highlighting the long-term inactivity of these assets.
In 2025, the holdings of large investors fell to 3 million BTC, raising concerns about potential market destabilization due to these sales. The miner's transfer coincided with significant market movements, including a notable drop in Bitcoin prices from over $126,000 to around $86,000, influenced by large-scale sell-offs and changing market dynamics.
"The market has changed, as ETFs and corporate bonds create new demand that did not exist in previous cycles," noted Ki Young Ju, CEO of CryptoQuant.
In conclusion, the liquidation of dormant Bitcoin by early miners signals a shift in market behavior, with potential implications for future price movements and market stability.
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