The Bitcoin network has become slightly more difficult to mine, with difficulty recently hitting just over 148 trillion. Current block times average around 9.95 minutes, slightly below the network’s target of 10 minutes, so adjustments are needed to slow down mining speeds a bit.
Expected difficulty increase
Bitcoin adjusts mining difficulty every 2016 blocks, approximately every two weeks, to keep the average block time close to 10 minutes. If blocks are added too quickly, the network suffers. If you fall behind, it goes down.
Currently miners are adding blocks slightly faster than target. This means that the network will face increasing challenges to keep production stable.
According to CoinWarz estimates, the next adjustment in block 931,392 on January 8, 2026 will push the difficulty level past 148 trillion.
Source: CoinWarz
Historical context and market movements
Mining difficulty rose to new highs in 2025, with two sharp rises in September coinciding with a surge in Bitcoin prices earlier this year.
Bitcoin has experienced significant declines since hitting $125,100 in October. As prices rise, more mining rigs enter the network, increasing overall computing power and making upward adjustments more difficult.
Miner Costs and Network Security
The higher the difficulty, the more computing power and energy miners need to solve the block. This can increase costs and reduce profit margins, especially for smaller operations.
At the same time, the system protects the network from centralization. If one miner or group controls too much computing power, they can dominate block production or even attempt a 51% attack. By adjusting the difficulty, the network keeps mining decentralized and secure.
Prospects in terms of investment
According to Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan, Bitcoin could achieve steady growth over the next decade rather than massive annual gains.
He told CNBC he expects “strong returns” with moderate ups and downs. Hougan also argues that 2026 is likely to be a positive year for Bitcoin, reflecting the network’s resilience after recent highs and volatility.
The increase to over $148 trillion will not be dramatic, but will slightly compress miners’ margins. Tracking block times, hash rates, and difficulty can provide insight into short-term mining profitability.
For investors, difficulty trends indicate actual effort to secure Bitcoin, which affects supply and potential selling pressure.
Adjusting network difficulty is routine but essential. They ensure that coins are released consistently, miners are challenged, and Bitcoin’s decentralized design is preserved.
Featured image from Pixabay, chart from TradingView
editing process for focuses on providing thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We adhere to strict sourcing standards and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of the content for readers.
