Bitcoin Mining Hits Record Heights as Processing Power Reaches 600 Exahashes per Second
Cryptocurrency mining is the backbone of proof-of-work networks like Bitcoin, responsible for verifying and recording transactions on the blockchain. In 2026, over 600 exahashes per second of combined processing power are dedicated to this process.
The mining process involves five stages: a transaction enters the mempool, miners bundle transactions into a block, they solve a cryptographic puzzle, broadcast the new block to the network, and finally collect their reward. The winner earns newly created Bitcoin plus every transaction fee included in that block.
Bitcoin's current block reward is 3.125 BTC, set after its April 2024 halving. This number will cut in half again around 2028, affecting how many new coins enter circulation and making understanding mining crucial for anyone holding or trading Bitcoin.