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26 Jan 2026, 11:43
Bitcoin hash rate slides during U.S. winter storm while markets shrug off mining disruption
The temporary loss of mining power underscores academic concerns that geographic and pool concentration can magnify infrastructure failures, though markets showed little immediate reaction.
26 Jan 2026, 09:33
Massive US Storm Forces Bitcoin Miners Offline – What Does That Mean for Bitcoin Holders?
A severe Arctic blast sweeping across the United States has forced Bitcoin miners to take more than 110 exahashes per second of computing power offline, temporarily slowing block production to 12 minutes as operators curtail operations to ease strain on regional power grids, according to The Miner Mag . The widespread shutdowns mark one of the largest coordinated mining curtailments since the 2021 Texas grid crisis, with FoundryUSA’s hashrate dropping nearly 60% since Friday. Real-time data from Mining Pool Stats shows FoundryUSA’s hashrate fell from approximately 340 EH/s to roughly 242 EH/s over the weekend, while Luxor recorded a similar decline from about 45 EH/s to around 26 EH/s. Smaller reductions appeared across Antpool and Binance Pool, though these pools serve less U.S.-concentrated operations, suggesting total curtailments may exceed the initial 110 EH/s estimate, The Miner Mag reported. UPDATE: #Bitcoin hashrate on FoundryUSA is down by nearly 200 EH/s, or 60%, since Friday amid continued curtailment. Temporary block production slows down to 12 minutes https://t.co/e51LyWoxjs pic.twitter.com/uIrCD5JudD — TheMinerMag (@TheMinerMag_) January 25, 2026 Grid Operators Report Stability Despite Extreme Cold The hashrate pullback coincided with a severe Arctic air mass pushing subfreezing temperatures, snow, and ice deep into the central and eastern United States. Grid operators across multiple states issued conservation alerts as heating demand surged, yet Texas’s grid operator ERCOT reported on Friday that conditions remained stable despite the cold weather. The stability contrasts sharply with February 2021, when Winter Storm Uri triggered widespread outages and prolonged blackouts across the state. Since that crisis, Texas has added substantial large-load capacity, much of it tied to Bitcoin mining and data center operations. Unlike traditional industrial loads, many Bitcoin miners participate in demand response programs, allowing them to rapidly curtail consumption during periods of grid stress. As noted by The Miner Mag , this flexible-load model represents a dynamic shift from the 2021 scenario, when such infrastructure did not exist to support grid balancing during extreme weather events. The U.S. #AI compute boom is running into a familiar problem. Local communities aren’t buying it. If this sounds familiar to #bitcoin miners, that’s because it is. — TheMinerMag (@TheMinerMag_) January 23, 2026 Singapore-based miner Bitdeer, which operates over 293,000 rigs globally, including facilities in Texas, said in a statement that it does not anticipate major disruptions from the storm. A company spokesperson explained that the Electric Reliability Council of Texas considers Bitcoin miners “ large flexible loads ,” meaning they can curtail electricity usage on request, unlike other industrial users with firm electrical demands. “ Bitdeer stands ready to fully support the grid should supply constraints occur, ” the spokesperson added. The curtailments come as Bitcoin’s seven-day average network hashrate had already declined to about 992 EH/s, down roughly 13.7% from the all-time high of above 1.15 ZH/s reached in October, according to data reported by The Miner Mag last week. The moderation follows Bitcoin’s market price falling nearly 30% from its October peak , prolonging pressure on mining economics by keeping competition for block rewards elevated even as revenues per unit of computing power fell. Storm Threatens 60 Million People Across 1,800 Miles The massive winter storm extends for 1,800 miles from far west Texas to the mid-Atlantic coast, threatening to affect upwards of 60 million people across more than a dozen states, according to AccuWeather . Source: AccuWeather AccuWeather Senior Vice President Evan Myers warned that the combination of snow, ice, and bitter cold across such a large area would “ stall daily life for days, ” with some power outages lasting through extended periods as Arctic air charges in behind the storm. About 60 million people will experience icing conditions, with potentially 1 million people without power for an extended period, AccuWeather estimated. AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter noted that many areas hit hard by Hurricane Helene in September 2024 still have temporary power lines that “ may come down more easily than permanent lines, ” potentially stretching recovery resources and personnel to the limit across North Carolina and other affected states. The storm’s intensity has already prompted thousands of flight cancellations across the region as airlines deal with displaced aircraft and crews. Source: AccuWeather AccuWeather Storm Warning Meteorologist William Clark cautioned that “ entire supply chains may break down from prolonged days of extensive interstate closures, ” warning that critical supplies, including pharmaceuticals and basic necessities, may become scarce in the hardest-hit areas. The United States controls nearly 38% of the global Bitcoin hashrate according to estimates from Hashrate Index , making American mining operations critical to network security. The post Massive US Storm Forces Bitcoin Miners Offline – What Does That Mean for Bitcoin Holders? appeared first on Cryptonews .
26 Jan 2026, 02:10
Foundry USA Hashrate Plummets 60% as Brutal Winter Storm Grips US Mining Industry
BitcoinWorld Foundry USA Hashrate Plummets 60% as Brutal Winter Storm Grips US Mining Industry A severe winter storm named Fern has triggered a dramatic 60% collapse in the Bitcoin hashrate controlled by Foundry USA, one of the world’s largest mining pools, highlighting the physical infrastructure’s vulnerability to extreme weather events across the United States this week. The immediate consequence has been a significant slowdown in Bitcoin’s block production, with average times temporarily extending to 12 minutes, as reported by industry sources including Cointelegraph. This event starkly illustrates the complex interplay between decentralized digital networks and the very real-world constraints of energy grids and climate. Foundry USA Hashrate Plummets Amidst Power Grid Strain The data reveals a stark picture of disruption. Since last Friday, Foundry USA’s contribution to the global Bitcoin network has fallen precipitously. Analysts estimate that approximately 200 exahashes per second (EH/s) of computational power has gone offline from this pool alone. To contextualize this figure, 200 EH/s represents a substantial portion of the network’s total security. Consequently, the Bitcoin blockchain experienced a direct technical impact. With fewer miners competing to solve blocks, the average block time—normally targeted at 10 minutes—increased to around 12 minutes. This slowdown temporarily reduces the rate of transaction confirmations on the network. Importantly, this hashrate drop was not solely a result of forced outages. Many mining firms, including those contributing to Foundry USA, made a voluntary decision to power down their operations. This strategic move aimed to alleviate critical strain on regional power grids, which were struggling to supply over one million households amid widespread outages caused by Fern. This action underscores a growing trend in the industry: mining operations are increasingly acting as flexible, demand-response assets for energy networks. Hashrate Decline: Foundry USA’s share fell by approximately 60%. Power Offline: An estimated 200 EH/s of hash power was idled. Network Effect: Average Bitcoin block time extended to 12 minutes. Grid Relief: Miners voluntarily halted to support public infrastructure. The Anatomy of a Mining Disruption Winter Storm Fern acted as a stress test for Bitcoin’s geographically distributed mining ecosystem. The storm’s path across key mining states like Texas, which hosts a significant concentration of hashrate, directly translated into network-wide effects. Mining operations depend on two immutable physical factors: a constant, high-capacity electricity supply and effective cooling for their application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) machines. Extreme cold can paradoxically benefit mining efficiency by reducing cooling costs, but associated power instability and infrastructure damage pose a far greater risk. The event provides a clear case study in network resilience. While a centralized service would have experienced a complete outage, the Bitcoin network simply slowed down. Miners in other unaffected global regions continued to operate, and the protocol’s difficulty adjustment mechanism will eventually recalibrate to account for the lost hashrate, bringing block times back toward the 10-minute target. However, the short-term volatility in hashrate can lead to increased variance in block discovery and marginally higher transaction fees during the adjustment period. Expert Insight on Energy and Decentralization Industry analysts point to this event as a critical demonstration of Bitcoin mining’s evolving role in modern energy markets. “The voluntary curtailment by miners during Winter Storm Fern is a textbook example of demand response,” explains a veteran energy sector consultant familiar with Texas’s grid. “These large, flexible loads can be shut down almost instantly, providing crucial megawatts back to the grid during peak stress. In return, miners often receive financial incentives or priority status when power is restored.” This symbiotic relationship is becoming a key part of the economic model for miners in deregulated energy markets. Furthermore, the incident sparks discussion about the ideal geographical distribution of hashrate. Over-concentration in any single region, whether it’s Sichuan during the rainy season or Texas during winter, introduces a systemic point of failure. The network’s long-term health and security may benefit from a more evenly distributed global hashrate, making it inherently more resistant to regional climate events or regulatory shifts. Data from the past 72 hours will likely be studied by mining companies as they plan future site locations and grid interconnection strategies. Historical Context and Future Implications This is not the first time weather has impacted Bitcoin mining. Historical precedents include the major hashrate migration out of China in 2021, partly influenced by seasonal hydropower availability, and previous winter storms in North America that tested grid reliability. Each event has contributed to a more mature and strategically aware industry. Mining companies now routinely incorporate detailed climate risk assessments and grid interaction plans into their operational blueprints. The financial implications are twofold. For the miners themselves, curtailment means a direct, temporary loss of revenue from block rewards and fees. However, many have pre-arranged contracts that compensate them for providing grid stability services, potentially offsetting some losses. For the broader cryptocurrency market, such events rarely cause significant price movements on their own, but they serve as a reminder of the physical and energy-intensive underpinnings of proof-of-work networks. The resilience of the Bitcoin price during such infrastructure stresses is often cited by proponents as evidence of its robustness. Event Region Approx. Hashrate Impact Primary Cause Winter Storm Fern (2025) United States ~200 EH/s (From one pool) Power grid strain & voluntary shutdowns China Mining Ban (2021) Sichuan, etc. >50% of global network Regulatory policy shift Texas Winter Storm (2021) Texas, USA Significant regional drop Grid failure & forced blackouts Conclusion The 60% drop in Foundry USA’s hashrate during Winter Storm Fern serves as a powerful real-world lesson on the intersection of cryptocurrency, energy, and climate. It demonstrates both a vulnerability—the concentration of mining infrastructure in weather-vulnerable areas—and a strength, in the form of the network’s ability to absorb the shock and the industry’s growing role as a grid-stabilizing force. As Bitcoin mining continues to evolve, its integration with and response to global energy systems will remain a critical factor for its sustainability and decentralization. The Foundry USA hashrate plummet is a temporary event, but the insights it provides into the future of resilient digital infrastructure are lasting. FAQs Q1: What caused Foundry USA’s hashrate to drop 60%? The primary cause was Winter Storm Fern, which caused widespread power outages and grid instability across the United States. Mining operations voluntarily shut down to relieve pressure on the electricity grid, and some experienced direct power disruptions. Q2: How does a hashrate drop affect the Bitcoin network? A significant hashrate drop slows down block production, temporarily increasing the average time between blocks. This can lead to slower transaction confirmations. The network’s difficulty adjustment algorithm will correct for this over approximately two weeks, returning block times to normal. Q3: Do miners lose money when they shut down during a storm? They lose potential revenue from mining new blocks. However, many miners in regions like Texas have agreements with grid operators to be compensated as “demand response” assets, which can offset some of the lost income from shutting down to support grid stability. Q4: Is the Bitcoin network less secure when hashrate drops? In the very short term, a rapid hashrate decline slightly reduces the computational cost required to attack the network (the “51% attack” threshold). However, the global distribution of hashrate and the speed of the difficulty adjustment make sustained attacks impractical from such a brief, regional event. The network’s security model is designed for long-term resilience. Q5: Will this event make mining companies move to different locations? It reinforces an existing trend toward geographic diversification. Mining companies already factor in political stability, energy cost, and climate risks. Events like Winter Storm Fern highlight the importance of robust grid infrastructure and may influence future site selection to mitigate weather-related downtime. This post Foundry USA Hashrate Plummets 60% as Brutal Winter Storm Grips US Mining Industry first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
26 Jan 2026, 00:10
Report: Arctic Storm Front Disrupts US Bitcoin Mining, Block Times Stretch Past 12 Minutes
On Sunday morning around 10 a.m., theminermag.com—a platform tracking bitcoin mining news, data, research, and analysis—reported that Foundry USA has seen roughly 60% of its hashrate vanish as miners dial back production, with an Arctic cold front expected to barrel into several states. Storm-Driven Curtailment Pushes Bitcoin Block Times Higher A massive winter storm, powered
25 Jan 2026, 20:05
Jake Claver Says $500M Can Move Through XRP With Zero Price Action. Here’s Why
Most market participants assume price action reveals the full story. Charts move, indicators react, and traders believe they are watching capital flow in real time. In reality, modern markets operate on multiple layers, and much of the most significant activity never appears on public screens. Crypto markets, despite their transparency narrative, follow the same structure. In a recent X post, Jake Claver highlighted this hidden dynamic by explaining how substantial value can move through XRP without triggering visible price movement. His point challenges the assumption that flat charts equal low activity. Why Public Charts Show Only a Fraction of Activity Spot exchanges display trades that interact directly with open order books. Large institutions avoid executing size in these venues because it exposes intent and causes slippage. Instead, they rely on over-the-counter desks, internalized matching systems, and algorithmic execution tools that minimize market impact. You think you're reading the market. You're seeing about 40% of it. Dark pools swallow the rest. $500 million can move through XRP with zero price action. Your analysis is based on incomplete data. — Jake Claver, QFOP (@beyond_broke) January 24, 2026 These mechanisms allow trades to settle off-exchange or net internally before reaching public markets. As a result, price charts capture only a portion of total transactional volume. When analysts base conclusions solely on candles and indicators, they operate with incomplete information. How XRP Supports High-Volume, Low-Impact Transfers XRP’s underlying architecture enables rapid settlement and efficient liquidity routing. The XRP Ledger processes transactions in seconds and supports deep liquidity corridors across multiple jurisdictions. This design allows institutions to move large sums for settlement or liquidity provisioning without relying on public spot markets. When capital moves through XRP for utility rather than speculation, price impact becomes irrelevant. The network prioritizes speed, certainty, and cost efficiency, not signaling to traders. This reality explains how hundreds of millions of dollars can pass through XRP while charts remain unchanged. The Function of Dark Pools in Crypto Markets Dark pools and private liquidity venues exist to protect large participants from adverse market reactions. These systems match buyers and sellers discreetly, often at predetermined prices, without broadcasting activity to the broader market. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 Crypto infrastructure increasingly mirrors traditional finance in this regard. XRP fits naturally into this framework because institutions already use it within structured settlement and payment flows. These transactions bypass visible exchanges and leave no immediate footprint on price charts. Why Retail Analysis Often Misses Institutional Behavior Technical analysis remains useful, but it reflects only observable trades. Indicators respond to retail-driven momentum and marginal flows, not to silent institutional transfers. When traders equate flat price action with inactivity, they often misinterpret accumulation or utility-driven usage happening beneath the surface. Claver’s observation reframes price as a secondary signal rather than a complete measure of value transfer. What This Means for XRP’s Market Outlook If significant capital can move through XRP without price disruption, then price becomes a lagging indicator. For long-term observers, this underscores XRP’s role as a settlement asset whose adoption may expand quietly before markets fully reflect its impact. Disclaimer : This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are urged to do in-depth research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses. Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post Jake Claver Says $500M Can Move Through XRP With Zero Price Action. Here’s Why appeared first on Times Tabloid .
25 Jan 2026, 06:30
In Focus: Will Bitfarms’ AI Pivot Work? A Vera Rubin Gambit
Bitfarms, one of the largest publicly listed bitcoin miners, has decided to abandon its origins and pivot to the HPC market, shedding its Latam sites to become a company with a complete North American energy footprint. Will this move work for the company? Bitfarms: From Bitcoin Mining to AI HPC Bitfarms, one of the top
