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.


Markets

Bitcoin Hashrate Growth Slows Amid Tough Market Conditions for Smaller Miners

The latest MinerMag report shows a slowdown in Bitcoin hashrate growth amid shifting market conditions.

Bitcoin ASIC miner (CoinDesk Archives)

Markets

U.S.-Listed Bitcoin Miners Accounted for 29% of Global Hashrate in February: JPMorgan

Mining economics came under pressure as the network hashrate rose while the bitcoin price fell, the report said.

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Markets

U.S.-Listed Bitcoin Miners Are Growing Their Share of the Network Hashrate: Bernstein

These companies grew their share of the Bitcoin network to about 29% in January from around 20% a year ago, the report said.

Bitcoin mining machines (Michal Bednarek/Shutterstock)

CoinDesk Indices

Crypto for Advisors: Bitcoin Mining Will Be Different in 2025

ETFs, hashrate markets and AI have fundamentally reshaped the bitcoin mining industry, reducing miners' dependence on bitcoin’s price.

CoinDesk

Markets

Bitcoin Network Hashrate Growth Was Muted in January: JPMorgan

Mining difficulty fell 2% from the previous month, which is relatively uncommon, the report said.

JPMorgan (Shutterstock)

Finance

Bitcoin Miner Cipher Surges on $50M SoftBank Investment

SoftBank said it will buy $10.4 million shares of Cipher.

Mining machines (GreenBelka/Shutterstock)

Finance

Bitcoin Miner Riot Platforms Targeted by Second Activist Investor: Reuters

The move comes after another activist investor, Starboard, had taken a stake in the miner late last year.

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Finance

Digital Currency Group Spins Off Crypto Mining Subsidiary Fortitude From Foundry

Fortitude Mining will produce bitcoin and other proof-of-work tokens.

Racks of crypto mining machines.

Tech

Quantum Startup BTQ Proposes More Energy Efficient Alternative to Crypto's Proof of Work

A new paper proposes using a method called "coarse-grained boson-sampling" to validate the proof of work process and reward successful miners.

Bitcoin ASIC miner (CoinDesk Archives)

Finance

Bitcoin Miner Hive Digital to Buy Paraguay Site From Bitfarms for $85M

The acquisition of the site in Yguazú, Paraguay will increase the company's hashrate to 25 EH/s from 6 Eh/s by September.

A photo of four mining rigs