Bitcoin’s mining difficulty reaches an unprecedented 72.01 trillion, posing challenges for miners. Simultaneously, the hashrate hits a historic high, with significant investments of $600 million in ASICs reported in December 2023.
Bitcoin’s mining landscape witnessed a remarkable development on December 23, 2023, as mining difficulty reached an all-time high of 72.01 trillion at block height 822,528, surging by 6.98%. This surge, the most significant in nine months, adds a layer of complexity for miners aiming to secure block rewards.
Concurrently, Bitcoin’s hashrate achieved a record-breaking 538 exahash per second (EH/s) on December 24, 2023, indicating a robust network. Foundry USA and Antpool lead the hashrate contributions, collectively commanding 59.25% over the past three days.
The surge in hashrate aligns with the aggressive adoption of next-gen ASIC mining rigs. Leading ASIC manufacturers invested $600 million in December, contributing to a yearly total of $1.3 billion in ASIC acquisitions by publicly listed mining companies, as reported by The Miner Mag.