Recent data from CoinShares reveals that the average cost per Bitcoin mined by publicly listed mining companies surged significantly, reaching $82,162 in Q4 2024. This represents a substantial 47% increase compared to the previous quarter. Meanwhile, the Bitcoin network’s hash rate reached an all-time high of 900 EH/s during the same period and is projected to surpass 1 ZH/s by July 2025. Facing increased competition, mining companies are strategically shifting their operations. CoreScientific has allocated 43% of its capacity to AI-driven operations, while Cipher Mining plans to dedicate 35% of future capacity to this sector. This strategic shift reflects the industry’s adaptation to evolving technological demands and a desire to diversify revenue streams.