Mining revenue hits structural lows as hashprice sinks, costs rise and payback periods stretch past 1,000 days, squeezing even the largest operators. The Bitcoin mining industry has entered what may be its most severe economic downturn in its 15-year history, with even large publicly traded operators struggling to break even amid collapsing mining revenue and rising debt, according to TheMinerMag. In its latest report, TheMinerMag said miners are operating in the “harshest margin environment of all time,” as hashprice — the revenue earned per unit of computing power — has fallen from an average of about $55 per petahash per second (PH/s) in the third quarter to roughly $35 PH/s, a level the publication characterized as a structural low rather than a temporary dip. The deterioration followed a sharp correction in the price of Bitcoin (BTC), which fell from a record high near $126,000 in October to below $80,000 in November. Read more
Buterin warns that quantum computers could threaten Ethereum’s cryptography sooner than expected and outlines how the network can prepare safely. Buterin sees a nontrivial 20% chance that quantum computers could break current cryptography before 2030, and he argues that Ethereum should begin preparing for that possibility. A key risk involves ECDSA. Once a public key is visible onchain, a future quantum computer could, in theory, use it to recover the corresponding private key. Buterin’s quantum emergency plan involves rolling back blocks, freezing EOAs and moving funds into quantum-resistant smart contract wallets. Read more
Bitcoin fell further thanks to Wall Street selling pressure, while analysis predicted a key few days for the 2025 BTC price candle. Bitcoin (BTC) hit new local lows after Monday’s Wall Street open as analysis warned of “rising” macro headwinds. Key points: BTC price action plumbs new local lows as daily losses pass the 7% mark. Read more