The Bitcoin network’s computing power has rebounded sharply, surpassing the decline seen earlier this year and reentering an upward trend. As of October 22, 2026, on-chain data from CryptoQuant shows the True Hashrate of the network has reached 1,000 exahashes per second (EH/s), or 1 zettahash per second (ZH/s), moving close to the record highs observed in late 2025.
Mining sector attracts institutional capital
CryptoQuant founder Ki Young Ju noted that Bitcoin’s hashrate has returned to growth, with mining operations now running at full capacity across the sector. He underlined a significant transformation, as mining evolves from a venture-driven activity into a major industrial field increasingly controlled by large corporate interests.
This surge in processing power has driven Bitcoin’s mining difficulty to an unprecedented level. Mining difficulty now stands at 140.58 trillion (T), the highest value ever recorded for the network. The rise was spurred by the periodic mining difficulty adjustment on October 16, which reflected a 5.92% increase—one of the largest such moves in 2026.
Looking ahead, another recalculation scheduled for late October is expected to raise mining difficulty again, with analysts forecasting a further increase of 4% to 6%.
US-listed miners hold a large share
Corporate mining companies listed on US exchanges have consolidated a significant portion of the global market, now controlling between 35% and 40% of the worldwide Bitcoin hashrate. Their operational resilience is supported by substantial direct investments from traditional financial institutions.
More than a year and a half remains until the next halving in April 2028, which gives major players a temporary window for expansion.
With Bitcoin trading in the $80,000 to $83,000 range and the hashprice around $37 per petahash (PH) per day, only operators equipped with the latest ASIC miners (providing energy efficiency of 9 to 12 joules per terahash) and access to low electricity rates below $0.08 to $0.10 per kilowatt-hour currently find mining profitable. Less efficient rigs with higher energy costs are steadily being phased out of the network.
Mining adapts to new market conditions
A key characteristic of the present cycle is the decreasing sensitivity of large mining pools to short-term price fluctuations. Many of these operators have secured fixed contracts with institutional partners and have started integrating some of their data center resources for artificial intelligence workloads, providing greater stability during periods of market turbulence.
Higher hashrate means stronger security and better fundamentals as a store of value. Public miners are backed by TradFi giants. This is an indirect bullish signal from institutional investors, imo.
These changing dynamics have also encouraged market participants to seek more efficient means of staying informed and monitoring volatile shifts. In a market where a single Fed decision or rapid altcoin listing can instantly alter the landscape, switching between different platforms for charts, news, and portfolio management can cost investors both time and money. Many sophisticated traders are now using privacy-first solutions like CryptoAppsy to combine real-time charts, automated price alerts, coin-specific news, and major macroeconomic indicators, all conveniently on one screen—without even requiring an account.
With more than eighteen months until the next Bitcoin halving, major mining firms have a period to continue expanding their operations. However, the stability of the current structure depends largely on maintaining today’s price levels. A sudden and pronounced correction in the market could challenge even the most well-capitalized institutional miners, putting pressure on margins across the sector.
