Bitcoin Mining

Bitcoin mining is the process by which new bitcoins are created and transactions are verified and added to the blockchain network. It involves powerful computers solving complex mathematical problems to secure the Bitcoin network and maintain its decentralized nature. Individuals, companies, and even specialized mining pools participate in this process, known as miners. These miners play a crucial role in ensuring the integrity and security of the Bitcoin network. As the number of bitcoins in circulation is limited, mining also serves as a means of distributing new bitcoins. Miners are rewarded with newly minted bitcoins for their computational efforts and the energy they contribute to the network. Bitcoin mining has evolved over time, with the advent of more efficient hardware and the rise of mining farms. These farms, often operated by companies, leverage economies of scale to maximize their mining capabilities. Additionally, mining protocols and algorithms have been developed to adapt to the increasing computational power and maintain the network's stability. Crypto exchanges facilitate the trading of bitcoins, allowing miners to convert their earned bitcoins into traditional currencies or other cryptocurrencies. This dynamic ecosystem of people, companies, protocols, and blockchain networks collectively contribute to the functioning and growth of Bitcoin and the broader cryptocurrency market.


Finance

In Canada They're 'Essential,' In Argentina They're Shut Down: Bitcoin Miners Reckon With COVID-19

Here's how the "Great Lockdown" is redrawing the bitcoin mining landscape. The halving and economic crisis may be priced-in – but local politics aren't.

Mining rig. (Shutterstock)

Markets

Bitcoin Mining Hardware War Is Heating Up Ahead of the Halving

MicroBT is rolling out three top-of-the-line bitcoin miners hoping to eat further into Bitmain's market dominance at a key time for the industry.

MicroBT COO Chen Jianbing. (Credit: MicroBT)

Markets

Riot Blockchain Moves Part of Bitcoin Mining Operation to Upstate New York

Bitcoin miner Riot Blockchain has sent a portion of its newly acquired S17 Pro Antminers from an Oklahoma facility to upstate New York, tapping excess power in a colocation deal with Coinmint.

Coinmint, a crypto data center in upstate New York, is set to host a portion of new miners from Riot’s Oklahoma City facility. (Credit: Shutterstock)

Finance

Bitmain Partially Refunds Bitcoin Miner Buyers After Price Cuts

The Beijing-based firm is sending out cash coupons to customers who pre-ordered its latest bitcoin miners ahead of recent price markdowns.

Bitcoin miner image (CoinDesk archive)

Finance

New York Power Plant Sells 30% of Its Bitcoin Mining Hashrate to Institutional Buyers

Greenidge Generation, an upstate New York power plant that's using proprietary facility to mine bitcoin, has sold up to 30 percent of its computing power to institutional buyers.

Greenidge mining facility

Finance

Bitcoin Miner Maker Canaan Lost $148M in 2019

The Chinese bitcoin miner manufacturer has disclosed it made a net loss of $148.6 million for 2019 on a revenue of $204.3 million.

Canaan co-Chairman Jianping Kong is one of three company directors dropped from the miner maker's business registry. (PoolIn)

Tech

Bitcoin Cash Undergoes 'Halving' Event, Casting Shadow on Miner Profitability

Bitcoin Cash, the blockchain network that forked off Bitcoin in 2017, has just reduced its mining rewards by half, causing lots of miners to have nearly zero gross margin.

(maxuser/Shutterstock)

Tech

New Software Fix Offers Bitcoin Miners Increased Security

Startup Braiins has released the first functioning code for a new protocol designed to fix longstanding security problems with bitcoin mining pools.

Credit: Library of Congress

Markets

Manufacturers Mark Down Bitcoin Miners as Price Drop, Halving Change Calculus

Last month’s bitcoin price crash has prompted manufacturers to sell their mining devices at discounts as steep as 20 percent ahead of the May halving.

Bitcoin miner image (CoinDesk archive)

Finance

Binance Crypto Exchange Is Launching Its First Bitcoin Mining Pool

Binance has been offering "generous" referral bonuses for its new crypto mining pool.

(Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao/CoinDesk)