From Hydro to Hashrate Derivatives: 5 Bitcoin Mining Trends to Watch Out For (Yes, AI’s Here Too)

Bitcoin mining in 2025 is no longer about brute hashpower. Miners are splitting into three camps: large-scale operators chasing efficiency, hybrid firms pivoting to AI and compute resale, and financial players betting on BTC exposure through derivatives. As margins shrink post-halving, adaptability—not just scale—is the new survival strategy.

In just over a year, the Bitcoin network grew by more than 300 EH/s, closing out 2024 at a record 808 EH/s. By June 2025, it climbed to nearly 943 EH/s before falling back to around 861 EH/s due to localized shutdowns and regulatory setbacks.

That is not just growth. That is pressure. Miners are fighting to stay above water as network difficulty keeps rising and hashprice remains disappointing.

The post-halving reality is tough. April 2024 slashed block rewards in half, but electricity costs stayed the same. Miners are left with ...