The Bitcoin network's mining difficulty fell to 146.4 trillion on January 10, 2026, marking the first difficulty adjustment of the year. At the time of the update, average block times were 9.88 minutes, slightly faster than the 10-minute target. CoinWarz estimates the next adjustment will occur on January 22, 2026, and increase difficulty to about 148.20 trillion.
Bitcoin Mining Difficulty Adjustment in January 2026
The January adjustment reduced the reported difficulty to 146.4 trillion, reflecting recent block-time dynamics on the network. Because average block times are 9.88 minutes, the protocol will raise difficulty at the next scheduled adjustment to bring block production closer to the 10-minute target. For a short explainer of the projected near-term change, see the forecast to 148.2T noted by monitoring services.
- Difficulty recorded at 146.4 trillion on Jan 10, 2026.
- Average block time: 9.88 minutes at the time of the update.
- Next estimated adjustment on Jan 22, 2026, to 148.20 T.
Historical Context of Bitcoin Mining Difficulty in 2025
Throughout 2025 the network moved through a series of upward adjustments, reaching a peak difficulty recorded at 155.9 trillion in November 2025. That all-time high remains above current levels, so the January change is a modest decline from late-2025 peaks. The year was described in reports as turbulent for miners, with multiple pressures affecting operations across regions.
Challenges Faced by Bitcoin Miners in 2025
Profitability metrics worsened in late 2025: miner hash price dropped below $35 per petahash-second per day in November, a multi-year low that compressed margins for many operators. Bitcoin's market price also moved sharply, reaching a low just north of $80,000 in November after an earlier all-time high above $125,000 in October; these swings added financial stress for miners managing operating costs and capital investments. For broader context on 2025 mining conditions and hashrate trends, see the mining 2025 report.
Why miners felt pressure
Lower miner hash price directly reduces expected revenue per unit of computing power, while sharp price moves in BTC affect balance sheets and valuation of holdings. In combination, these factors tightened margins across the industry and made operational decisions more sensitive to small changes in network difficulty or price.
Почему это важно
Для майнера с любого масштаба в РФ изменение сложности означает прямой эффект на конкуренцию за блоки: при увеличении сложности ваша доля добываемых блоков и вознаграждение в среднем сокращаются. Однако текущее падение до 146.4 T и прогнозируемое небольшое повышение до 148.20 T — это относительные, не резкие сдвиги, которые в одиночку не переломят экономику работы мелкой фермы.
Что делать?
Оцените себестоимость электроэнергии и текущую доходность ваших устройств; при низкой miner hash price и волатильности курса BTC приоритет — контролировать расходы. Если маржа минимальна, проверьте возможности оптимизировать время работы, настроить эффективность оборудования и пересчитать окупаемость при ближайших изменениях сложности. Наконец, следите за следующими корректировками и рейтингами доходности, чтобы принимать решения на основе актуальных данных.
