The Bitcoin network wrapped up 2025 with mining difficulty sitting at 148.2 trillion, based on the final adjustment of the year. That’s a big jump—about 35% higher than where it started in January.
Mining difficulty is basically how hard it is for miners to find a new block. Bitcoin adjusts this number every two weeks to keep block times close to ten minutes. When difficulty goes up, it means more computing power is working to secure the network.
Throughout 2025, miners stayed active and competitive. Difficulty actually hit its highest point in November at 156 trillion. Even though it has pulled back slightly since then, it’s still only about 5% below that peak.
The rise shows that miners kept investing in better and more efficient machines, even after the halving reduced block rewards. Despite tougher conditions, they didn’t leave—they adapted.
Right now, Bitcoin’s price is about 4% lower than where it was at the start of the year. Still, mining difficulty kept climbing, which highlights strong confidence in the network’s long-term value and security.
Looking ahead, the next difficulty adjustment is expected on January 8, 2026, and estimates suggest it could rise again to around 149.3 trillion.
In short, 2025 proved one thing clearly: even with lower rewards and price swings, Bitcoin miners stayed in the game, making the network stronger and more secure than ever.
