NZX:FBU 6 January 2026

March 22, 2026, 5:18 AM EDT. Bitcoin miners are losing about $19,000 on every BTC produced, driven by a network difficulty drop of 7.8% and surging energy costs tied to the Middle East conflict. The average cost to mine one bitcoin stands at $88,000, while the market price is near $69,200, pushing miners into an average 21% loss. Mining difficulty has fallen nearly 10% since the year's start, with hashrate retreating from last year's peak. Rising oil prices, disruption at the Strait of Hormuz, and geopolitical risks elevate mining expenses. Miners are coping by diversifying into AI and computing sectors. The next difficulty adjustment in April may decrease further, signaling continued stress and a shrinking miner base, impacting bitcoin's market structure beyond just the mining sector.