Bitcoin Mining’s New Champion: Bitdeer’s Hashrate Dominance Signals Industry Evolution

In a landmark development reshaping the cryptocurrency mining landscape, Bitdeer Technologies Group has surpassed MARA Holdings to become the world's largest bitcoin miner by hashrate as of late 2023. This seismic shift represents not just a change in leadership but a fundamental transformation of the mining sector's strategic direction. Based in Singapore, Bitdeer now commands approximately 6% of the Bitcoin network's total computing power with a capacity of 71 exahashes per second (EH/s). This achievement is particularly remarkable given the company's explosive growth trajectory—an 18% monthly increase and staggering 229% annual growth leading up to December 2023. The transition from MARA to Bitdeer as the industry leader reflects broader strategic realignments within the cryptocurrency mining ecosystem. As the sector matures, major players are increasingly diversifying their operations beyond pure Bitcoin mining. The industry is witnessing a significant pivot toward artificial intelligence and other high-performance computing applications, suggesting that mining companies are evolving into multifaceted technology infrastructure providers. This diversification strategy represents both a risk mitigation approach against Bitcoin's price volatility and a forward-looking adaptation to emerging technological opportunities. From a bullish cryptocurrency perspective, Bitdeer's ascent demonstrates the continued professionalization and institutionalization of Bitcoin mining. The scale required to achieve 71 EH/s represents billions of dollars in infrastructure investment and sophisticated operational management. This development reinforces Bitcoin's fundamental security model, as larger, more professionally managed entities contribute greater hashrate to the network. The concentration of mining power in publicly traded, transparent companies like Bitdeer also potentially addresses regulatory concerns about mining decentralization and energy usage transparency. Looking toward 2026, this leadership change signals several positive trends for Bitcoin's ecosystem. First, it indicates healthy competition within the mining sector, driving innovation in energy efficiency and computational optimization. Second, the diversification into AI and other computing fields suggests that mining infrastructure is becoming more adaptable and valuable beyond cryptocurrency applications. Finally, Bitdeer's Singapore base highlights the global nature of Bitcoin mining, with leadership shifting to regions with favorable regulatory environments and access to renewable energy sources. For investors and enthusiasts, this development underscores Bitcoin's continued maturation as institutional-grade infrastructure continues to secure and grow the network.

Bitdeer Overtakes MARA as World's Largest Bitcoin Miner by Hashrate

Bitdeer Technologies Group has dethroned MARA Holdings as the global leader in Bitcoin mining hashrate, marking a seismic shift in the industry. The Singapore-based firm now commands approximately 6% of the network's total computing power with 71 EH/s capacity as of December 2023 - an 18% monthly increase and staggering 229% annual growth.

The transition reflects broader industry realignment as miners diversify into AI infrastructure. "Like other miners, they are actively selling everything they mine (and more) to fund the AI pivot," noted VanEck's Matt Sigel. Bitdeer's proprietary SEALMINER rigs demonstrate vertical integration in hardware development while positioning for advanced computing applications.

Bitwise CIO Defends Bitcoin Inclusion in 401(k)s Amid Regulatory Scrutiny

Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan has publicly championed the inclusion of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in 401(k) retirement plans, countering recent warnings from Senator Elizabeth Warren. The debate centers on the TRUMP administration's move to lift what Hougan describes as an "effective ban" on Bitcoin in retirement accounts, a policy shift now facing renewed scrutiny.

Hougan dismissed restrictions on Bitcoin investments as arbitrary, noting its volatility parallels mainstream equities like Nvidia. "Does it go up and down? Absolutely," he conceded during an interview. "But it's actually less volatile over the last year than Nvidia stock." Industry data appears to support his claim, with Bitcoin recently completing its least volatile annual performance on record.

The discussion emerges as major financial institutions show diverging approaches. While Vanguard has historically maintained strict crypto prohibitions, other providers are gradually warming to digital asset exposure in retirement portfolios. This institutional hesitation, according to Hougan, reflects bureaucratic inertia rather than sound financial reasoning.

Bitcoin Breaks $96K as Silver Overtakes Nvidia in Market Cap Surge

Bitcoin rallied to a two-month high of $96,348 as traders shrugged off its sluggish start to 2025, betting on a sustained breakout. The MOVE comes amid a broader commodities surge, with silver piercing $90/oz to push its total market capitalization past $5 trillion—now eclipsing Nvidia’s valuation.

Tokenized stocks are quietly gaining traction, recording $800 million in monthly onchain trades. Meanwhile, copper continues its blistering run, up 40% over six months, while gold holds firm NEAR record levels above $4,600/oz.

Crypto Advisor Allocations Hit 32% in 2025 as Access Widens and ETF Demand Grows

Cryptocurrency is transitioning from a niche curiosity to a mainstream portfolio component. A Bitwise and VettaFi survey reveals 32% of financial advisors allocated crypto to client accounts in 2025—up from 22% in 2024—marking a record high for the series. This surge follows Bitcoin's rally to a $126,000 all-time high and regulatory advancements like the GENIUS Act, which bolstered stablecoin adoption.

Crypto equity ETFs emerged as advisors' preferred vehicle for exposure in 2026, according to the survey of 299 financial professionals conducted October-December 2025. Registered investment advisors (RIAs) led adoption at 42%, outpacing wirehouse and broker-dealer counterparts.

Client interest remains robust, with 94% of advisors fielding crypto-related questions and 56% holding digital assets personally—both survey highs. The data underscores crypto's accelerating institutionalization as regulatory clarity improves and access vehicles proliferate.

Bitcoin Sell-Side Risk Ratio Hits Lowest Since October 2023 Amid Market Flux

Bitcoin's Sell-Side Risk Ratio—a critical on-chain metric tracking realized profits and losses against its Realized Cap—has plunged to multi-year lows. Glassnode analyst Chris Beamish notes the ratio's sharp decline following November's volatility spike, signaling reduced sell pressure as investors hold assets longer.

The Realized Cap, which values each BTC token at its last transacted price, reflects the aggregate capital invested. The current ratio suggests a market in accumulation, with long-term holders resisting profit-taking even as Bitcoin's price stabilizes above key thresholds.

Historically, such lows precede bullish reversals. The data implies a supply squeeze may loom if demand accelerates, particularly from institutional inflows via exchanges like Coinbase and Binance.

DZ BANK Receives MiCAR Approval to Launch Crypto Trading in Germany

DZ BANK, Germany's second-largest financial institution, has secured regulatory approval under the European MiCAR framework to introduce crypto trading services. The bank's new "meinKrypto" platform, set to launch in January 2026, will enable retail customers to trade digital assets directly through their existing VR Banking App.

The move marks a significant shift in Germany's financial landscape, where investors previously needed to use external crypto exchanges. As the central hub for 700 cooperative banks, DZ BANK's initiative could bring regulated crypto access to millions of mainstream customers through familiar banking interfaces.

"This isn't just about one financial institution—it's about bridging traditional finance with digital assets at scale," observed a market analyst familiar with the development. The integrated solution eliminates technical barriers like private key management, offering a simplified experience comparable to conventional banking services.