Blockchain

Bitcoin difficulty just retreated, but a more critical “survival metric” signals the mining sector is bleeding out

January 17, 2026

Bitcoin difficulty just retreated, but a more critical “survival metric” signals the mining sector is bleeding outData centers are outbidding crypto operators for electricity, turning the "cheap power" moat into a desperate liability for anyone without long-term contracts. Andjela Radmilac Jan. 17, 2026 at 3:00 pm UTC 6 min read Updated: Jan.

Credit: Cover art/illustration via CryptoSlate. Image includes combined content which may include AI-generated content.

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17, 2026 at 11:53 am UTC Share Cover art/illustration via CryptoSlate.
Image includes combined content which may include AI-generated content.
Bitcoin’s first difficulty adjustment of 2026 was anything but dramatic.
The network nudged the dial down to about 146.4 trillion, a pretty small retreat after the late-2025 grind higher. Graph showing Bitcoin's mining difficulty from Oct.
14, 2025, to Jan.

Featured Analysis Mining difficulty adjustment hash rate hashprice hashprice index mining difficulty

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Bitcoin difficulty just retreated, but a more critical “survival metric” signals the mining sector is bleeding out

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Bitcoin difficulty just retreated, but a more critical “survival metric” signals the mining sector is bleeding out

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