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Bitcoin Mining Faces Challenges Amid Rising Difficulty
According to Cointelegraph Deutschland, the Bitcoin mining industry continues to struggle with various challenges, including high IT costs, fears of a trade war, and energy issues. Despite a 1.4% increase in Bitcoin network difficulty, the mining hash price has remained steady at approximately $48 per petahash per second (PH/s). This figure represents the daily earnings of miners per unit of hash power used to mine blocks.
Data from CoinWarz indicates that the Bitcoin network difficulty rose to 113.76 trillion at block 889,081 on March 23, compared to 112.1 trillion in the previous epoch. A hash price below $50 poses financial difficulties for miners using older hardware, such as the Antminer S19 XP and S19 Pro. These miners face the risk of becoming unprofitable and may need to shut down operations unless they upgrade their ASICs or network conditions improve.
Additionally, the Bitcoin halving in April 2024, which reduced block rewards to 3.125 BTC per block, combined with increasing network difficulty and macroeconomic uncertainties, has further strained mining companies. Publicly listed Bitcoin mining firms reportedly lost 22% of their stock value in February 2025, as per a JPMorgan report. Even companies diversifying into AI and high-performance computing centers are under financial pressure.
“A hash price below $50 is a significant burden for miners relying on older hardware,” highlights TheMinerMag.
Meanwhile, the long-term trend of the Bitcoin network hash rate continues to rise, intensifying competition among miners. Concerns over a potential trade war between the United States and Canada, along with threats of tariffs on energy exports, add to the industry's challenges.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Bitcoin Network Difficulty (March 23, 2025) | 113.76 trillion |
| Hash Price | $48 per PH/s |
| Stock Value Loss (February 2025) | 22% |
Key Takeaway: The Bitcoin mining sector is under pressure due to rising network difficulty, outdated hardware, and macroeconomic uncertainties, with a hash price of $48 per PH/s posing challenges for profitability.
Pakistan's Shift Towards Crypto Mining with Excess Energy
Newsbit reports that Pakistan is taking a significant step in its crypto policy by proposing the use of surplus energy for Bitcoin mining. During the inaugural session of the Pakistan Crypto Council on March 21, CEO Bilal Bin Saqib introduced this initiative as a way to leverage the country's energy surplus while embracing the global shift towards digital assets.
The meeting included key figures such as lawmakers, the Governor of the Bank of Pakistan, and the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb emphasized the country's ambition to create a transparent and forward-looking financial ecosystem that attracts investments and positions Pakistan as a leader in new technologies.
This marks a departure from Pakistan's previous stance, where cryptocurrencies were deemed illegal under anti-money laundering measures. The shift aligns with global trends, particularly influenced by the United States' pro-crypto policies under President Donald Trump, who has taken steps to promote the American crypto sector since his re-election in 2024.
“We aim to build a transparent, future-oriented financial ecosystem that attracts investments and empowers our youth,” stated Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb.
By utilizing surplus energy for Bitcoin mining, Pakistan seeks to attract foreign investments and maximize the economic value of its energy resources. This strategic move could position the country as a key player in the global crypto landscape.
- Pakistan Crypto Council proposes using surplus energy for Bitcoin mining.
- Shift in policy influenced by global trends and U.S. crypto-friendly measures.
- Potential to attract foreign investments and boost economic value.
Key Takeaway: Pakistan's new crypto strategy aims to utilize surplus energy for Bitcoin mining, signaling a significant policy shift and potential economic benefits.
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