BroadChain has learned from CoinDesk that persistently high energy prices, compounded by escalating tensions in the Middle East, are driving up Bitcoin mining costs and squeezing miners' margins. Should miners be forced to sell BTC to cover operational expenses, it could add significant selling pressure to the market.
Data reveals considerable strain on Bitcoin mining economics. The current average cost to produce one BTC is around $88,000, while BTC trades near $69,200. This implies a loss of nearly $19,000 per coin mined, putting the sector at an overall loss of roughly 21%.
Meanwhile, the network-wide mining difficulty has dropped by approximately 7.8%, marking the second-largest decline of 2026. This reflects both an exodus of hashpower and growing network stress. The hash rate has fallen to around 920 EH/s, and the average block time has stretched to over 12 minutes.
Analysts warn that if the BTC price stays below the cost floor and mining difficulty continues to fall, the miner capitulation process could persist, creating short-term pressure on the spot market structure.