hodler

22 Mar 2026, 17:15

Bitcoin Records Second-Largest Difficulty Drop of 2026 as Hash Rate Remains Below 1 ZH/s

Bitcoin’s price is not the only part of the overall BTC ecosystem that has struggled in the past several months. One of the key components of the Bitcoin network, the mining difficulty adjustment, has just declined to a monthly low. In the meantime, the hash rate has dropped by approximately 20% in less than a month, showing that miners have been shutting down machines. Mining Difficulty Declines Upon creating the world’s largest blockchain network, Satoshi Nakamoto incorporated an important self-adjusting mechanism that ensures the bitcoin mining speeds remain the same (~10 minutes), no matter how many miners are on board. It adjusts at every 2,016 blocks (roughly two weeks) and, if the number of miners increases, it goes up; vice versa. This process makes the new BTC issuance predictable. The last change took place in the early hours of the weekend and reduced the mining difficulty by 7.76%. This is the second-highest single decline in this metric in almost a year. What’s even more worrying is the fact that seven out of the last ten adjustments have been negative. And, two of the three positive ones were by less than 1%. The only significant increase was on February 19, when the metric jumped by 14.73%. On-chain data now suggests that the next adjustment should take place on April 3, and current estimations show that the metric might increase slightly to almost 135T from 133.79T now. The difficulty peaked in late October 2025 at 155T, which means that the number now is over 13% lower. Bitcoin Mining Difficulty. Source: BitInfoCharts Hash Rate Below 1 ZH/s The hash rate is the other crucial metric showing the health of the Bitcoin network. It’s a calculated numerical value specifying an estimate of how many hashes are being generated by miners trying to solve the current block or any given one. It’s represented in hashes per second (H/s). In simple terms, the higher the hash rate is, the more miners operate on the network, which makes it safer. Data from coinwarz shows that the metric peaked at over 1.28 ZH/s in late September last year, before it dropped within a range between 1.2 ZH/s and 900 EH/s. The severe storms in North America caused a brief disruption in late January to 700 EH/s, but quickly rebounded. Nevertheless, it’s still just under 1 ZH/s, which places it at around 22% below its 2025 all-time high. Bitcoin Hash Rate. Source: Coinwarz The post Bitcoin Records Second-Largest Difficulty Drop of 2026 as Hash Rate Remains Below 1 ZH/s appeared first on CryptoPotato .

22 Mar 2026, 10:32

Hackers mimic Google Play to spread crypto mining malware

Hackers are targeting victims via a new phishing scheme. According to a post from SecureList, hackers are using fake Google Play Store pages to spread an Android malware campaign in Brazil. The harmful app appears to be a legitimate download, but once installed, it converts infected phones into crypto mining machines. Moreover, it is used to install banking malware and grant remote access to threat actors. Hackers turn Brazilian smartphones into crypto mining machines The campaign starts on a phishing website that looks almost identical to Google Play. One of the pages offers a fake app called INSS Reembolso, which claims to be linked to Brazil’s social security service. The UX/UI design copies a trusted government service and the Play Store layout to make the download appear safe. After installing the fake app, the malware unpacks hidden code in multiple stages. It uses encrypted components and loads the main malicious code directly into memory. There are no visible files on the device, making it hard for users to detect any suspicious activity. The malware also evades analysis by security researchers. It checks whether the phone is running in an emulated environment. If it detects one, it stops working. After successful installation, the malware continues to pull down more malicious files. It shows another fake Google Play-style screen, then displays a false update prompt and pushes the user to tap the update button. One of those files is a crypto miner, which is a version of XMRig compiled for ARM devices. The malware fetches the mining payload from attacker-controlled infrastructure. Then it decrypts it and runs it on the phone. The payload connects infected devices to mining servers controlled by the attackers to mine crypto silently in the background. The malware is sophisticated and does not mine crypto blindly. According to SecureList’s analysis, the malware monitors the battery charge percentage, temperature, installation age, and whether the phone is being actively used. Mining starts or stops based on the monitored data. The goal is to stay hidden and reduce any chance of detection. Android kills background apps to save battery, but the malware evades this by looping an almost silent audio file. It fakes active use to avoid Android’s auto-deactivation. To continue sending commands, the malware uses Firebase Cloud Messaging, which is a legitimate Google service. This makes it easy for attackers to send new instructions and manage activity on the infected device. Banking Trojan targets USDT transfers The malware does more than mine coins. Some versions also install a banking Trojan that targets Binance and Trust Wallet, especially during USDT transfers. It overlays fake screens on top of the real apps, then it quietly replaces the wallet address with one controlled by the attacker. The banking module also monitors browsers like Chrome and Brave and supports a wide range of remote commands. These include recording audio, capturing screens, sending SMS messages, locking the device, wiping data, and logging keystrokes. Fake overlay pages from Binance (left) and Trust Wallet (right). Source: SecureList . Other recent samples keep the same fake app delivery method but switch to a different payload. They install BTMOB RAT, a remote access tool sold in underground markets. BTMOB is part of a malware-as-a-Service (MaaS) ecosystem. Attackers can buy or rent it, which lowers the barrier to hacking and theft. The tool gives attackers deeper access, including screen recording, camera access, GPS tracking, and credential theft. BTMOB is actively promoted online. A threat actor shared demos of the malware on YouTube, showing how to control infected devices. Sales and support are handled through a Telegram account. SecureList stated that all known victims are in Brazil. Some newer variants are also spreading through WhatsApp and other phishing pages . Sophisticated hacking campaigns like this are reminders to verify everything and trust nothing. Don’t just read crypto news. Understand it. Subscribe to our newsletter. It's free .

22 Mar 2026, 07:23

Bitcoin mining difficulty drops nearly 8% as AI boom redirects miners

Data from CloverPool and CoinWarz shows Bitcoin mining difficulty fell 7.76% to 133.79 trillion in Saturday’s adjustment at block height 941,472. Aside from the 11.16% plunge on February 7, this 7.76% decrease is the most the network has dialed back since the 2021 China crackdown. The metric is also currently about 10% below its January benchmark. The dip, however, suggests that computational resources are being directed to AI processing. The network also saw blocks taking 12 minutes 36 seconds, well over the 10-minute target, prompting a recalibration to lower the average. BTC mining companies have been shifting to AI data centers The network’s average computational power has been declining since it hit its all-time high in mid-October 2025. With total hashrate sliding from 1.15 ZH/s to 940 EH/s, the nearly 8% difficulty drop gave hashprice a nice bump back above $33 per PH/s daily. According to industry specialists, the average breakeven point for miners is near $40 per PH/s per day. In early February, when difficulty plummeted by 11%, the primary factor was Winter Storm Fern, which knocked an estimated 200 EH/s offline. However, by February 20, a record 14.7% correction followed as hashrate surged past 1,000 EH/s. At the moment, most analysts think the drop in difficulty is linked to industry participants diversifying into more lucrative AI services, rather than to temporary fluctuations. For some time, BTC mining companies have been working hard to reinvent themselves as indispensable partners for hyperscalers like Meta , offering the infrastructure needed to win the AI race. Those massive cooling systems and electrical contracts once used for Bitcoin are now being flipped to power the next generation of AI. Nevertheless, the transition is not as easy as it seems. Companies still need to install more advanced cooling and network systems to support a new fleet of AI-focused graphics cards. Nevertheless, AI giants save a fortune by piggybacking on the miner’s existing land and power. Over the last year, CleanSpark secured $1.15 billion in funding for data center expansion. The firm, nonetheless, continues to prioritize its core Bitcoin mining activities. Major Bitcoin mining company Core Scientific also began its transition to AI in 2024. Its first AI deal back then quadrupled its share price, and its stock gained 10% in 2025. The firm is even planning to turn off its last Bitcoin rig, completing its exit from mining and focusing entirely on AI data centers by 2028. “The opportunity for miners to convert to AI is one of the greatest opportunities I could possibly imagine,” said Adam Sullivan, chief executive of Core Scientific, a Bitcoin mining company that is transitioning into AI data centers. Morgan Stanley predicts that US data centre power demand will surge by 74 gigawatts between 2025 and 2028. So far, the U.S. is facing a 49 GW deficit in its 74 GW demand; converting Bitcoin facilities could recover 10 to 15 GW, significantly narrowing that gap, according to the bank. Thiel says the Bitcoin network needs to grow by 50% to bolster mining profitability Fred Thiel, CEO of MARA Holdings, shared his frustrations with BTC mining late last year. He argued, “Bitcoin mining is a zero-sum game. As more people add capacity, it gets harder for everybody else. Margins compress, and the floor is your energy cost. [ . . . ] The global hashrate keeps growing, which means everyone else’s margins keep shrinking.” He warned that Bitcoin’s original economic “safety net” isn’t holding up as intended. According to him, the network was designed with the expectation that transaction fees would eventually cover its costs, but that shift has yet to materialize. He explained that between 2028 and 2032, the financial pressure on the network will only skyrocket unless it hits a 50% annual growth target to make up for the missing fee revenue. He added that they intend to slash production costs to improve profitability. If you're reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay there with our newsletter .

22 Mar 2026, 00:30

Dogecoin Becomes The Next Target For Qubic’s Compute Network — Here’s Why

Dogecoin is entering a new phase of relevance as it becomes the latest focus for Qubic, a project aiming to transform blockchain networks into engines for distributed computation. This development signals a shift in how Dogecoin could be utilized, moving beyond its identity as a meme-driven asset toward a role in emerging compute-based ecosystems. A Bigger Target Emerges In Dogecoin’s Mining Economy Qubic’s expansion toward Dogecoin is a scaled-up continuation of the strategy it has already proven. In an X post , Qubic revealed that the firm went from controlling under 2% of Monero’s hasrate to demonstrating over 51% dominance in a live takeover event over the past year. This performance made headlines across the crypto media outlets such as CoinDesk, The Block, and Decrypt. During the process, the network reportedly generated more than $3.5 million in mining revenue and mined over 26,000 XMR blocks. This shows that a decentralized AI-driven compute network could outperform an established proof-of-work chain through better economic incentives. Currently, Qubic is applying that same strategy to Dogecoin, but at a much larger scale. Data show that Dogecoin produces approximately 14.4 million DOGE per day, translating to around $1.44 million in daily emissions at current prices , which is roughly 10 times the output of Monero. For Qubic, it’s the same playbook they are applying to Dogecoin, but a much bigger target. Qubic has also revealed that on March 19th, the All-Hands recap signals a major acceleration phase, with multiple milestones converging into a significant month-to-date. One of the key headlines is the launch of the Vottun Brighe IPO, with mainnet scheduled to go live on April 2nd. Meanwhile, Dogecoin mining is confirmed for April 1st, with the dispatcher already active. On the research front, progress continues to build momentum. A second Neuraxon paper has been accepted for presentation in Berlin with Scopus indexing, and 2 additional papers are being prepared for major conferences such as ALife and AGI. The network is also evolving rapidly. Tick speed has nearly doubled to 0.6 seconds, while guardian nodes have surged from 34 to over 150 in just two weeks. With major launches and integrations lined up, April is shaping up to be a defining period for Qubic as it pushes further into real-world execution. Why This Long-Term Pattern Could Define DOGE’s Future The long-term outlook for Dogecoin is showing one of its most bullish technical setups to date. An analyst known as Trader Tardigrade on X has highlighted that on the monthly timeframe, the DOGE chart is forming a massive bullish pennant, a pattern that can drive long-term moves in 10 to 30 years. Trader Tardigrade argues that in the next 30 years, those who remain positioned over time may look back on this pattern as a defining moment, one that may potentially shape long-term outcomes well beyond the current market cycle.

22 Mar 2026, 00:01

Bitcoin Mining Difficulty Drops Sharply as Miners Face Escalating Pressure

Bitcoin mining difficulty recorded its sharpest drop since 2026, intensifying margin pressure on miners. Rising costs push inefficient miners out, while large firms invest in AI for stable returns. Continue Reading: Bitcoin Mining Difficulty Drops Sharply as Miners Face Escalating Pressure The post Bitcoin Mining Difficulty Drops Sharply as Miners Face Escalating Pressure appeared first on COINTURK NEWS .

21 Mar 2026, 18:47

If XRP Hits $10, Who Gets Richest From the Next XRP Rally?

If XRP ever reaches $10, the next wave of millionaires will not just be the whale wallets at the top of the XRP rich list. It would also include a large group of long-term retail holders who quietly accumulated during years of sideways trading, fear, and skepticism. At today’s roughly $1.40-$1.90 zone, many of those wallets look ordinary. At $10, they suddenly become life-changing positions. That is the real power of XRP’s distribution map. Recent rich-list data shows that about 2,232 XRP is enough to enter the top 10% of all XRP holders, while around 46,400 XRP places a wallet in the top 1%. If XRP hits $10, those holdings would be worth about $22,320 and $464,000 respectively. That means a surprisingly broad group of holders could move from “small bag” status to serious wealth, especially those who kept stacking through the market’s weaker phases. The Next Millionaire Tier At $10, the new XRP millionaire class would likely come from three groups. First are the early believers who built positions in the tens or hundreds of thousands of XRP before the market started paying attention again. A wallet with 100,000 XRP would be worth $1 million at that price, and that is still within reach of some long-term holders and smaller treasury-style positions. Second are the whale wallets already visible on the rich list. CoinCarp shows that the top addresses are dominated by exchanges, Ripple-linked wallets, and a handful of large individual holders, with the top 10 addresses controlling roughly 10 billion XRP. If XRP moves to $10, those top-tier wallets would not just be wealthy; they would be sitting on mark-to-market gains measured in billions. Third are the millionaire wallets that Santiment says have already started growing again. In early 2026, the number of addresses holding at least 1 million XRP rose by 42 since January 1, signaling that large holders were quietly adding even while prices stayed weak. If that trend continues, the $10 scenario would reward the very people who were willing to buy when sentiment was still cautious. Why the Rich List Matters XRP’s rich list is important because it shows how the upside could be distributed if the token finally re-rates higher. The top of the list is dominated by Ripple, exchanges, and founders like Chris Larsen, but the lower tiers tell a different story: that a growing base of smaller holders could still become wealthy if the next cycle is strong enough. That is what makes the $10 question interesting. It is not just about whether XRP can get there. It is about who is already positioned for that move, who is still accumulating, and how many ordinary holders could be pushed into the millionaire category if the rally finally arrives. The Hidden XRP Map The next XRP millionaire wave would likely be a mix of old whales, active accumulators, and patient retail holders who ignored the noise. At $10, 2,200 XRP becomes meaningful, 46,000 XRP becomes powerful, and 100,000 XRP becomes millionaire territory. That is why the XRP rich list is more than a leaderboard. It is a preview of who benefits most if the market gives XRP a much higher valuation in the next cycle.