Bitcoin Mining Difficulty Explodes 15% as Hashrate Hits 1 ZH/s High

• Bitcoin mining difficulty jumps 15% after hashrate rebound
• Network computing power surges to record 1 ZH/s
• Miners face tighter margins as competition intensifies rapidly

Bitcoin’s mining landscape shifted sharply after the network recorded a 15% surge in difficulty, coinciding with hashrate climbing to 1 ZH/s. According to developer Mononaut, the latest adjustment pushed difficulty to 144.4 trillion, making it one of the largest upward revisions in recent years. The increase followed a rapid rebound in computing power, which rose from 826 EH/s to the 1 ZH/s milestone within weeks.

The jump erased the previous epoch’s steep downward adjustment. Two weeks earlier, miners experienced reduced competition after difficulty declined. However, the fresh recalibration reversed that trend and restored stronger mining pressure. Since the protocol adjusts difficulty every 2,016 blocks, the change reflects sustained hashrate growth rather than a brief fluctuation.

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Hashrate Rebound Intensifies Mining Competition

The climb to 1 ZH/s signals renewed participation across the mining sector. As more machines returned online, competition for block rewards increased significantly. Consequently, miners must now deploy greater computational power and energy to secure the same Bitcoin output.

Higher difficulty often compresses profit margins, especially when operating costs remain elevated. According to Mononaut, the latest increase completely wiped out the prior easing phase. That reset places mining conditions back on a firm upward trajectory. Since 2021, the network has rarely recorded a jump of this magnitude, which underscores the scale of the adjustment.

Market Reaction and Accumulation Trends

Bitcoin traded at $68,104.38 at the time of reporting, reflecting a 1.57% gain over 24 hours. Trading volume edged higher to $33.11 billion, indicating steady participation despite volatility. Additionally, whale holdings have risen 3.4% since mid December 2025, suggesting accumulation during recent price swings.

While rising difficulty can pressure short term miner profitability, sustained hashrate growth often reflects network resilience. As computational strength expands and participation broadens, the 15% surge highlights Bitcoin’s strengthening infrastructure and competitive mining environment.

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