Mining margins weaken as hash price declines and rig payback periods stretch, even as listed miners rally on analyst upgrades and new HPC agreements. Profitability across the Bitcoin mining industry is facing new strain amid rising network competition and declining revenue conditions. Bitcoin miners are facing a fresh squeeze as the network’s hashrate — a measure of the total computing power competing to secure the Bitcoin network — climbed to a record 1.16 ZH/s in October while Bitcoin’s (BTC) price fell toward $81,000 entering November, according to a report by The Miner Mag. Hashprice, which tracks miner revenue per unit of computing power, fell below $35 per hash, dropping under the $45/PH/s median total hashprice reported by public mining companies. The decline leaves several operators approaching breakeven levels. Read more
An advisory body to Japan's FSA will reportedly release a report recommending crypto companies hold reserves to compensate users for events such as hacks. The Financial Services Agency in Japan will reportedly require cryptocurrency exchanges to maintain liability reserves as part of measures to guard against hacks or unforeseen events. According to a Monday Nikkei report, Japan’s FSA will revise its requirements for local companies to include methods for quickly compensating users affected by security breaches or other causes. The financial watchdog cited recent hacks of global exchanges as part of the reason behind the change. The Financial System Council, an advisory body to the FSA, is set to release a report on the matter following a meeting on Wednesday. One of the expected recommendations would require crypto firms to create liability reserve funds. Read more
Revolut has completed a private share sale with participation from major investment firms. The transaction also allowed employees to sell shares. Neobank Revolut has completed a share sale that values the company at $75 billion, placing it among the world’s most valuable fintechs. The funding deal was led by investment firms Coatue, Greenoaks, Fidelity and Dragoneer, with additional backing from a16z, Franklin Templeton, and T. Rowe Price. Nvidia’s venture arm, NVentures, also participated. The company said Monday that employees were able to sell shares as part of the deal, marking the fifth time Revolut has offered staff a liquidity event through its employee share program. Read more