Bitcoin Sets Power Record, But Price Drop Sparks Concern

The news drops, a record that echoes in the crypto world: 1 Zettahash per second. A figure that, at first glance, lights up the eyes of enthusiasts. But behind this prodigious rise in hashrate, more complex questions lie for miners. A technical feat that does not encompass, far from it, all the economic dynamics of the network. Because while Bitcoin’s hashrate climbs, that does not guarantee profitability. And in the shadow of this record, some already fear the price to pay to remain competitive.

1 Zettahash reached: the technological performance in numbers

After the new historical peak in February, the Bitcoin network crossed an historic milestone on April 5, 2025, reaching a hashrate of 1 Zettahash per second. This spectacular ascent is the result of a decade of technological progress in the mining universe. Just two months ago, Bitcoin was already recording a record of 0.845 ZH/s, a performance whose significance seemed more symbolic than operational.

But with this threshold crossed, the network becomes more powerful and more secure, thanks to an increasingly fierce competition among miners.

Big names in mining like MARA Holdings, Riot Platforms, and Core Scientific are now racing with cutting-edge machines, claiming that this performance strengthens the network’s resistance to attacks. Miners who can calculate blocks more quickly contribute, indirectly, to the system’s security.

A record without a guarantee of profitability — the paradox of mining

Yet behind this technical feat lies a harsher reality: the profitability of miners remains a puzzle. Despite the power deployed, the price of Bitcoin is dropping, and margins are tightening. Currently at $77,000, the price of Bitcoin has fallen by 7.7% in 24 hours, putting additional pressure on miners who see their operating costs rise without being able to compensate for the price drop.

The events of September 2023 remain etched in memories: despite a record hashrate, miners’ profitability collapsed. Rising electricity costs, more expensive equipment, and low Bitcoin prices have failed to maintain profitability, a paradox now familiar in the sector. High-end machines may seem efficient, but without a high BTC price, they are just a costly investment.

Mining competition: more power, but at what cost?

The increase in hashrate is accompanied by a concentration of mining power in the hands of a few major pools, such as Foundry USA and AntPool. While this concentration enhances network security, it also raises a question of decentralization. As equipment becomes more powerful, it gets more expensive, and only the largest market players can keep up this frantic race.

Moreover, high mining volumes are not a guarantee of success for everyone. While the big players capture the majority of the hashrate, small miners struggle to keep up, and many of them risk not covering their costs. The business model of mining is therefore becoming increasingly difficult to maintain. Profitability depends more than ever on managing fixed costs, machine efficiency, and of course, the price of Bitcoin.

Some key points to remember:

• 1 Zettahash reached: Bitcoin reaches a historic hashrate of 1 Zettahash per second.
  
• Drop of 7.7%: The price of Bitcoin drops to $77,000, despite a record hashrate.
  
• Increased competition: Major miners like Riot and Core Scientific invest in more powerful machines.
  
• Profitability in question: The paradox of September 2023 persists; a record hashrate does not guarantee profitability.
  
• Concentration of mining: Foundry USA and AntPool dominate global hashrate.

If Bitcoin reaches 1 Zettahash, this performance shows that the network is becoming increasingly robust and resilient. However, a hashrate record does not necessarily equate to profitability. The example from last September, where a record hashrate was not enough to save miners, shows that the economic dynamics of the network remain complex and fragile. If miners want to ensure their profitability, they must adapt to a reality where increasing computing power is just a lever, without a guarantee of success if the price of Bitcoin does not follow.