Bitcoin mining difficulty expected to see largest drop since China ban

Bitcoin (BTC)mining difficulty is expected to adjust downwards by about 4.5% during the next adjustment window, on July 21 at around 7 p.m. BST, according to an analysis conducted by CryptoSlate using Glassnode data.

This event will mark the most significant decrease in mining difficulty since China’s crackdown on Proof-of-Work (PoW) mining in May 2021. Pre-ban, research suggested that 75% of the network’s hash rate originated from China.

The chart below shows four past instances of a significant downward adjustment. These occurred in March 2020, May 2020, October 2020, and July 2021, with the adjustment in July being the most significant drop.

Bitcoin mining and the Hash Ribbon indicator

The Hash Ribbon indicator identifies Bitcoin miners’ distress, which refers to the cost of mining BTC being too expensive relative to its price. High distress points to miner capitulation, which in some instances can indicate a market bottom.

The chart below shows the 60-day and 30-day hash rate moving average (MA) in conjunction with the BTC price. When the 30-day MA crosses above the 60-day MA, the ribbon changes to a dark red color, suggesting capitulation (miners giving up) and a possible bottom, indicating a bullish scenario.

Similarly, when the 60-day MA crosses above the 30-day MA, the ribbon changes to light red, giving rise to a bearish scenario.

The current miners’ capitulation phase has been ongoing for the last 42 days. During the 2018 bear cycle, capitulation lasted for 72 days, with BTC posting 300% gains to top out at $12,000 after the capitulation ended.

Since July 2021, following the China ban, the hash rate has been forming a rounding top pattern. This suggests weak miners are still capitulating, leaving stronger miners to mine in a less competitive environment.

Mean hash rate

Mean hash rate refers to the average estimated number of hashes per second resulting from miners’ efforts. It is often taken as a measure of security and an approximate gauge of the number of miners upholding the network.

Bitcoin’s hash rate peaked in May, leading to a definitive downtrend. Taken in conjunction with Hash Ribbon data, this supports the thesis that weak miners are exiting, leaving the most efficient miners supporting the network.

Miner net change position

The net position change of Bitcoin miners refers to the rate of change in unspent supply. Positive flows indicate miners are holding onto more tokens than they are selling – accumulation.

Currently, miners are…