Bitcoin miners are gearing up for the upcoming halving event as the network’s mining difficulty reaches a new peak. The surge in mining difficulty reflects a growing interest among miners in securing a portion of the remaining unmined Bitcoin from the total supply.
With less than a month remaining until the halving event, miners are increasing their efforts to stack BTC before the reduction in block rewards.
Bitcoin Mining Difficulty Reaches All-Time High
Based on the latest information from the Blockchain.com explorer, Bitcoin’s mining difficulty has reached an unprecedented level of 83,947,913,181,362 after the recent adjustment on March 21.
This development signals a continued increase in the network’s hashrate, indicating a growing number of new miners participating in Bitcoin mining.
Despite facing challenges such as China’s crackdown on mining operations in mid-2021 and April 2022, the surge in mining difficulty suggests a positive outlook and strong confidence among miners.
Miners are preparing for the halving event by upgrading to more advanced and efficient technology. This reduction in miners’ rewards, from 6.25 BTC per block to 3.125 BTC, might initially slow down mining activity. However, the expected decrease in supply could boost Bitcoin’s long-term value.
The imminent shift in supply and demand is seen as a crucial factor in driving Bitcoin’s price growth. Some miners may leave the market due to the increasing mining difficulty.
The introduction of spot Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) products adds a layer of complexity to the mining sector. As the halving draws near, major ETF issuers may adjust their accumulation strategies based on the changing market dynamics. This adjustment could influence Bitcoin’s price direction after the halving event.
BTC/USD Price Predictions and Market Outlook
Experts’ forecasts for Bitcoin’s price after the halving event are varied. While some, such as those at QCP Capital, are optimistic and foresee Bitcoin surpassing its previous all-time high of $73,000, others are more cautious, suggesting a potential pullback to around $50,000.
This diversity in predictions underscores the uncertainty in the market as the halving approaches.
Robert Kiyosaki, renowned for his book “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” is among those who believe Bitcoin could reach $300,000 by the close of 2024, expressing a bullish outlook.
Bernstein, a prominent research firm, has adjusted its Bitcoin price projection from $80,000 to $90,000. Similarly, William Quigley, co-founder of Tether, has also offered an optimistic forecast, suggesting that Bitcoin could reach $300,000, driven by the growing interest from institutional and retail investors in the cryptocurrency market.
Bitcoin began trading on March 25 above the $67,500 level, marking an 8% weekend recovery from the previous week’s sell-off of $840 million by Bitcoin ETFs. The cryptocurrency faced downward pressure from ETF selling last week, leading to increased volatility. On-chain data suggests that Bitcoin may continue to experience volatility in the coming week.