Bitcoin’s mining difficulty has now been below its October 2025 all‑time high for 374 consecutive days, marking the longest uninterrupted stretch in the protocol’s history, according to data from Mempool.space and reported by Bitcoin.com News.

BTC / USD
Source: CoinGecko. Prices are indicative.

Historical context of the record

The previous longest interval occurred after the 2011 crash, when difficulty stayed under its peak for 364 days. A shorter 253‑day gap followed the 2021 China mining ban. The current 374‑day stretch surpasses both, highlighting a sustained period of reduced mining pressure.

Current difficulty levels and upcoming adjustment

The all‑time high of 155.97 trillion (T) was set at block 921,312 on Oct. 29, 2025. Since then, every adjustment has remained below that level, with difficulty bottoming at 124.93 T in mid‑June 2026 – roughly 20% under the peak. Recent rises in October lifted difficulty to 148.36 T, still 4.9% below the record. Mempool.space projects a further 3.7% drop when the next epoch ends around Nov. 13, which would push the next all‑time high further into the future.

Factors influencing the prolonged low difficulty

Several dynamics are contributing to the extended period below peak difficulty. Bitcoin’s price has lingered under $76,000, reducing mining revenue. Publicly listed miners such as Riot Platforms and Hut 8 have sold large portions of their Bitcoin holdings – $750 million and $250 million respectively – and some firms are reallocating capital toward AI ventures. Additionally, political pressure on data‑center power usage could limit future expansion of mining operations.

What to watch next

The upcoming difficulty adjustment on or around Nov. 13 will be a key test for the network. A significant price rally could attract hashpower back to the chain, potentially accelerating difficulty growth. Conversely, continued miner sell‑offs or regulatory constraints on power consumption could keep difficulty subdued for an extended period.