Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin Mining Difficulty Hits 127.6T ATH Amid Rising Hashrate and Energy Use

Bitcoin’s mining difficulty reached an all-time high of 127.6 trillion in mid-July 2025, signaling continued growth in the network’s computational power and energy usage [1]. The rise is linked to increased miner participation and the adoption of more efficient hardware. While this level represents a significant challenge for miners, a projected 3% decline is expected on August 9, which could offer temporary relief [2].

The adjustment mechanism, which recalibrates difficulty every 2,016 blocks (roughly every two weeks), ensures that block production remains stable at approximately 10 minutes per block. As the network hashrate increases, so does mining difficulty, requiring more computational effort to validate transactions. Conversely, a drop in hashrate triggers a reduction in difficulty to maintain the average block interval [2]. Currently, the average block time stands at 10 minutes and 20 seconds, slightly above the target.

Bitcoin’s stock-to-flow ratio—widely viewed as a key indicator of scarcity—has also risen. With nearly 94% of the 21 million supply already mined, Bitcoin’s stock-to-flow ratio is estimated at 120, compared to gold’s 60, according to analyst PlanB. This suggests that Bitcoin has become "twice as scarce" as gold, reinforcing its narrative as "digital gold" and potentially supporting long-term price stability [2].

Despite the technical challenges and high difficulty, Bitcoin miners recorded strong revenue in July, with daily earnings averaging $57,400 per EH/s—the highest since the April 2024 halving [3]. Ten out of thirteen miners tracked by J.P. Morgan outperformed Bitcoin’s price gains during the month, which saw the asset reach an intraday high of $122,838. However, operational costs remain a pressing issue, with gross profit and daily revenue still 43% and 50% below pre-halving levels, respectively [3].

MARA Holdings, the largest miner by hashrate, reported record second-quarter profits and a 64% year-over-year revenue increase, demonstrating the sector’s resilience in a post-halving environment [3]. Yet, the reduced block reward continues to strain profitability, especially as mining difficulty rises and energy costs remain volatile.

While the upcoming difficulty drop is seen as a short-term correction, the broader trend of increasing difficulty reflects the network’s strengthening security and miner activity. Analysts caution that the balance between rising costs, declining block rewards, and fluctuating difficulty levels will remain a key determinant of the mining industry’s sustainability [2].

Bitcoin’s price has remained under pressure, slipping 3% to an intraday low of $112,680 before recovering to $113,375 by 7:30 pm ET. South Korea’s market once again traded at a 0.84% premium, known as the Kimchi premium, suggesting strong regional demand or regulatory factors influencing local prices [1].

Source: [1] Bitcoin mining difficulty hits ATH, but is projected to drop in ... (https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-mining-difficulty-all-time-high-projected-drop-august)

[2] Bitcoin Mining Difficulty Reaches All ... (https://www.cryptotimes.io/2025/08/03/bitcoin-mining-difficulty-hits-record-127-6t-slight-drop-expected/)

[3] Bitcoin Miner Profits Hit Highest Monthly Mark Since Halving (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bitcoin-miner-profits-hit-highest-160102050.html)