Bitcoin's mining difficulty sits just 0.7% above its 2026 low after a 1.31% drop at block 963648, the year's 17th adjustment. Meanwhile, Bitcoin mining host Bitari filed to go public on Nasdaq through a deal that gives new investors 10% of the company for 99.8% of the cash raised.
Difficulty Grinds Near the 2026 Floor
Bitcoin's mining difficulty fell 1.31% at block height 963648, the 17th adjustment of 2026. The year has produced ten downward adjustments against seven increases, and difficulty now stands at 125.81 trillion, roughly 15.1% below the 148.25 trillion level it held before the year's first adjustment.
Since bottoming at 124.93 trillion on June 13, difficulty has clawed back and slipped repeatedly, cycling through 133.87 trillion, 127.17 trillion, 126.23 trillion and 127.48 trillion before retreating to its current level. Today's reading sits barely 0.7% above the 2026 low, meaning nearly every rebound since June has been erased.
Sidelined Hashpower Awaits Bitcoin's Next Move
A 0.99% increase at block 961632 was wiped out almost immediately by the latest decline. The data points to roughly 150 EH/s of mining power sidelined from the network. Bitcoin's price gap to its October 2025 all-time high above $126,000 has narrowed to 38.8%, easing pressure on miner margins.
Still, that sidelined hashrate could return quickly if prices keep climbing, erasing the difficulty discount miners currently enjoy.
Bitari's IPO Structure Draws Scrutiny
Against that backdrop, Bitcoin mining host Bitari Inc. is pursuing a Nasdaq listing under a preliminary S-1 that would sell 4,285,715 shares at an expected $7 each, raising $30,000,005 in gross proceeds. That payment counts as 99.8% of total consideration in the filing, yet new investors would receive only 10% of the shares outstanding after the offering.
Existing stockholders would keep 90% of the post-offering shares while contributing just $45,000. AI Power X Inc. would hold 85.87% of the outstanding stock after the base offering, and Chair Pei Zhao, its beneficial owner, would exercise the same share of voting power, keeping Bitari a controlled company. Bitari plans to direct 40% of net proceeds toward acquisitions it has not yet identified, with the rest split across expansion, new mining infrastructure, research and working capital. The deal has no firm closing date and depends on Nasdaq's approval of the listing.
Sources: Bitcoin News, CryptoSlate
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