Bitcoin Hashrate Surpasses 1 Zetahash in Historic Milestone

Bitcoin Hashrate Reaches 1 Zetahash, Signaling Major Milestone for the Network

Bitcoin has achieved a significant milestone in its 16-year history, with the network's hashrate briefly surpassing 1 Zetahash per second (ZH/s) for the first time ever. According to several blockchain data sources, this remarkable achievement occurred on April 5, with data from mempool.space reporting a peak of 1.025 ZH/s, while BTC Frame reported 1.02 ZH/s a day earlier. Coinwarz data even showed that Bitcoin’s hashrate reached 1.1 ZH/s on April 4, at block height 890,915, though the first recorded instance of crossing 1 ZH/s occurred on March 24, 2025.

The differences in reported hashrate stem from variations in how these figures are calculated, including differences in the measurement of block times, difficulty adjustments, and the specific Bitcoin nodes and mining pools used for data collection. For example, Bitcoin cypherpunk Jameson Lopp has noted that estimating Bitcoin’s hashrate with just one “trailing block” can lead to variations of over 0.04 ZH/s. Additionally, Mitchell Askew, head analyst at Blockware Solutions, highlighted that Bitcoin's 30-day moving average for hashrate currently stands at around 0.845 ZH/s, which may paint a different picture than a short-term spike.

Bitcoin’s hashrate has fallen back below 0.95 ZH/s on April 7 since reaching 1 ZH/s. Source: BTC Frame

Bitcoin's Hashrate Surge: A Sign of Network Strength and Security

Despite the discrepancies in tracking methods, the achievement of surpassing 1 ZH/s is a monumental indicator of Bitcoin’s growing computational power and its increasing decentralization. This milestone enhances the overall security of the network, making it significantly more resistant to attacks, particularly the feared 51% attack. The rise to 1 ZH/s represents a massive 1,000-fold increase from January 2016, when Bitcoin's hashrate first reached 1 Exahash per second (EH/s).

To put this in perspective, Bitcoin's hashrate now outstrips that of the second-largest proof-of-work cryptocurrency network, Litecoin, which currently operates at just 2.49 Petahashes per second. This means Bitcoin is roughly 40,000 times more computationally powerful than Litecoin.

This growth in Bitcoin’s network strength can be attributed to the increasing participation of commercial Bitcoin mining firms, many of which have been ramping up their operations. Mitchell Askew pointed out that these miners are investing heavily in expanding their sites and deploying more efficient mining machines, contributing to the surge in hashrate. However, Askew also warned that less efficient miners could be pushed out if Bitcoin’s price does not rally in the near future.

The Role of Major Miners in Bitcoin’s Hashrate Surge

Several large publicly-listed mining firms are responsible for much of the increase in Bitcoin’s hashrate. Companies like MARA Holdings, Riot Platforms, Core Scientific, CleanSpark, Hut 8 Mining, and TeraWulf have been scaling up their operations, with MARA Holdings being the largest Bitcoin miner, boasting over 50 EH/s of computing power. Meanwhile, mining pools such as Foundry USA Pool and AntPool are responsible for the largest share of Bitcoin’s total hashrate, according to the Hashrate Index.

These companies have been instrumental in strengthening Bitcoin's security infrastructure, ensuring that the network remains decentralized and resilient against potential threats.

Bitcoin’s Record Hashrate Amid Market Downturn

Interestingly, Bitcoin’s hashrate milestone came at a time when the cryptocurrency market was experiencing a sharp downturn. Over the last four days, Bitcoin has fallen nearly 10%, dropping to around $78,750. This decline coincided with a massive sell-off in US stock markets, which saw an estimated $6.6 trillion in losses on April 3 and 4—the largest two-day loss in market history. Many analysts attribute the market’s struggles to fears of a potential recession, largely fueled by US President Donald Trump’s new tariff policies.

Source: Pierre Rochard

While Bitcoin’s price has taken a hit, the network’s hashrate remains a testament to the ongoing growth and development of the Bitcoin ecosystem. The increased computational power not only strengthens the network’s security but also reflects the growing institutional interest in Bitcoin mining, which continues to expand despite short-term market challenges.

Looking Ahead

The milestone of crossing 1 ZH/s is just the latest indicator of Bitcoin’s robust growth and evolving network infrastructure. As Bitcoin continues to expand its reach and attract more miners, the network's security will only improve, making it increasingly resistant to external threats. However, Bitcoin’s price volatility remains a key factor that could determine the future of the mining industry. As mining becomes more competitive, miners will need to adapt to the evolving market dynamics, balancing efficiency and profitability with the overarching goal of securing the Bitcoin network.

In conclusion, while the price of Bitcoin faces challenges in the short term, the record-breaking hashrate is a positive signal for the long-term strength and resilience of the Bitcoin network. With an ever-growing number of miners and an increasingly decentralized infrastructure, Bitcoin is poised to maintain its position as the dominant cryptocurrency in the market.