Bitcoin’s network hashrate briefly fell to its lowest level in seven months over the weekend as a powerful winter storm swept across the United States, forcing many mining operations to temporarily shut down to support strained power grids.
The United States plays a critical role in global Bitcoin mining, accounting for nearly 38% of the total hashrate, according to estimates from Hashrate Index. With extreme weather affecting dozens of states at once, the impact on the Bitcoin network was both immediate and noticeable.
US Winter Storm Triggers Major Bitcoin Hashrate Decline
According to AccuWeather, a massive winter storm hit more than three dozen US states, bringing heavy snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. The storm caused widespread power outages, affecting over one million electricity customers and sharply increasing demand on regional energy grids.
Bitcoin mining data from CoinWarz shows that the network’s hashrate began declining on Friday and dropped to approximately 663 exahashes per second (EH/s) by Sunday — representing a decline of more than 40% in just two days. This temporary drop pushed hashrate levels back to where they were in mid-2025.
By Monday, the network had already begun to rebound, with hashrate recovering to around 854 EH/s as miners gradually brought operations back online.
Abundant Mines, a Bitcoin mining company based in Oregon, stated that roughly 40% of global Bitcoin mining capacity went offline during the peak of the storm. The company emphasized that miners often reduce activity during extreme weather to ease pressure on power systems and ensure electricity remains available for critical infrastructure.
Bitcoin Miners Help Stabilize Power Grids During Extreme Weather
Bitcoin mining operations are uniquely positioned to support grid stability because they can rapidly scale energy consumption up or down. Many miners operate near renewable energy sources such as wind and solar farms, allowing them to absorb excess power when supply is high and shut down quickly when demand spikes.
This flexibility played a key role during the winter storm, particularly in states like Texas. Bitcoin environmental, social, and governance researcher Daniel Batten noted on X that Bitcoin miners participated in demand-response programs to help stabilize the grid during the extreme conditions.
The storm also slowed Bitcoin production among major US mining firms. According to CryptoQuant analyst Julio Moreno, Marathon Digital Holdings saw daily production fall from 45 Bitcoin to just seven, while IREN’s output dropped from 18 Bitcoin to six.
A 2024 report from the US Energy Information Administration found that there are more than 137 crypto-mining facilities operating nationwide, highlighting how closely Bitcoin mining is now tied to the country’s energy infrastructure.
