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Bitcoin miners are losing on every coin produced as difficulty drops

Bitcoin miners are losing $19,000 on every BTC produced as difficulty drops 7.8%

coindesk.com

April 11, 2026

4 min read

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59/100

Summary

Bitcoin miners are currently losing $19,000 on every BTC produced, with average production costs around $88,000 per coin while the market price is approximately $69,200. Rising energy prices and geopolitical tensions are contributing to these steep losses.

Key Takeaways

Bitcoin miners are losing an average of $19,000 on each BTC produced, with production costs at $88,000 per coin compared to a market price of $69,200.
The Bitcoin network's difficulty dropped by 7.76%, marking the second-largest negative adjustment of 2026, and is now nearly 10% below the start of the year.
Rising energy prices and geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, are driving up electricity costs for mining operations.
Publicly traded miners are diversifying into AI and high-performance computing to secure more predictable revenue amidst losses in Bitcoin mining.

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Analysis ready

Community Sentiment

Mixed

Positives

The design of Bitcoin allows for difficulty adjustments, which can lead to renewed profitability for miners after a downturn, showcasing the system's resilience.
The discussion highlights the complex relationship between mining costs and Bitcoin's market value, emphasizing the economic principles at play in cryptocurrency.

Concerns

There are concerns about the sustainability of Bitcoin mining, with some arguing it represents a significant waste of energy and has detrimental environmental impacts.
The reliance on miners to sell Bitcoin to cover costs raises questions about the stability of the market and the potential for forced selling pressure.