Bitcoin Mining Stocks Surge in Macro Shift and AI Expansion

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29 Oct 2024
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Bitcoin mining stocks climbed to new heights on Oct. 28, rising up to 24.4% amid favorable macroeconomic shifts and a growing diversification into artificial intelligence (AI). This rally follows the latest developments in global liquidity, interest rate adjustments, and inflation concerns, sparking renewed optimism among investors in Bitcoin and related markets.

Mitchell Askew, head analyst at Bitcoin mining firm Blockware, attributed the market shift to increased deficit spending and lower interest rates, fueling global liquidity. “Deficit spending and lower interest rates are driving global liquidity higher [while] investors are fearful of high inflation over the long term, as evidenced by poor performance from treasury bonds since the Sept[ember] rate cut,” Askew shared with Cointelegraph.

Askew also emphasized that Bitcoin mining stocks are trading at a “beta,” reflecting their sensitivity to broader Bitcoin price movements. The recent increase in mining difficulty has become another key indicator, hinting at both market recovery and miner resilience. With growing interest in AI and high-performance computing sectors, some miners have also broadened their focus, adding new layers to their revenue streams and further amplifying stock gains.


Market Performance of Bitcoin Mining Companies

Bitcoin mining companies surged across the board as investors sought refuge in assets with inflationary hedge potential. On Oct. 28, Singapore-based Bitdeer Technologies (BTDR) led the rally, with its share price surging by 24.4%, followed by Nasdaq-listed IREN (IREN) at 17.8%, Gryphon Digital Mining (GRYP) at 16.5%, and Hut 8 (HUT) with 15.5% gains, as reported by Companies Market Cap data. Marathon Digital (MARA) and CleanSpark (CLSK) also witnessed strong performance, with 11% and 10.2% gains, respectively. Meanwhile, Riot Platforms (RIOT) posted a respectable 9.5% increase, reinforcing investor interest in major mining stocks.

Daily change in share price of the top 10 largest Bitcoin miners by market cap. Source: Companies Market Cap


TeraWulf (WULF) and Core Scientific (CORZ) also saw solid performances, benefitting from broader market conditions and increased attention toward the computing power needed for AI, which many firms are already exploring as a new revenue source. This AI diversification aligns with a shift in demand as miners seek to stabilize their operations by entering fields with consistent growth and demand, particularly as computational requirements for AI increase globally.


Impact of 2024 Bitcoin Halving on Mining Profitability

The recent Bitcoin rally occurs after the April 2024 Bitcoin halving, which introduced a new wave of financial challenges and opportunities within the mining sector. Following the halving, which reduces the block reward for miners by 50%, profitability became strained for smaller or less efficient mining operations. According to Askew, “The miners that became unprofitable following April’s 2024 Bitcoin halving event have since ‘capitulated,’” adding that these operations contributed to substantial selling pressure in the market.

Change in Bitcoin mining difficulty since Jan. 2024. Source: Blockware Solutions/ Glassnode


With these less profitable miners exiting the industry, remaining miners with advanced, cost-effective equipment now stand to benefit. This industry shift is accompanied by a consistent increase in Bitcoin mining difficulty, which, according to Blockware and Glassnode, has risen for the third consecutive time since the halving. “Surviving miners are healthy, and profit margins for miners with the latest equipment are solid,” Askew highlighted, further noting that newer, high-powered mining rigs have become crucial in sustaining profitability.

The rise in mining difficulty acts as an industry health indicator, as it suggests increased computational power within the network and a reduction in competitive pressure from inefficient miners. Additionally, this adjustment benefits established miners who have invested in infrastructure upgrades, ensuring their operations remain competitive and profitable amid rising energy prices and operational costs.




Global Adoption and Macro Environment Boost Bitcoin’s Potential

The favorable macroeconomic environment has not only positively influenced Bitcoin mining stocks but has also contributed to increased Bitcoin adoption on a global scale. Several nations, such as Argentina, the United Arab Emirates, and Ethiopia, have taken significant steps toward integrating Bitcoin mining within state-owned resources, underscoring the asset’s rising global influence. Matthew Sigel, Head of Digital Assets at VanEck, remarked in an Oct. 28 CNBC interview that “BRICS members are exploring Bitcoin for settling international trade,” suggesting it as a potential workaround to the U.S. dollar in bilateral trade agreements.

In recent months, the BRICS bloc has shown interest in alternative payment systems, spurred by inflation concerns and the desire for greater control over economic sovereignty. As Bitcoin adoption grows in these countries, the cryptocurrency is increasingly regarded as a means to diversify national reserves and establish an independent economic channel for trade. For mining companies, such geopolitical developments open potential opportunities for partnerships, incentives, and expansions in supportive regulatory climates.

While the U.S. remains a focal market, these international efforts showcase the emerging relevance of Bitcoin in the global economy. As nations adjust to rising inflation and geopolitical uncertainty, Bitcoin’s appeal as a hedge against traditional fiat systems continues to grow.


Institutional Investment Fuels Bitcoin’s Market Rally

Bitcoin’s surge past the $70,000 mark on Oct. 28 represents a significant milestone, as it marks the first time the cryptocurrency has reached this level since June. This achievement was largely driven by substantial inflows into U.S.-based spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), totaling more than $3 billion over two weeks. This investment activity reflects growing institutional confidence in Bitcoin’s ability to serve as both a hedge against inflation and an alternative store of value.

Institutional interest in Bitcoin is further underscored by the entry of investment firms such as BlackRock and Fidelity into the cryptocurrency sector, as these entities actively engage in ETF offerings. The influx of capital through ETFs, particularly in the spot Bitcoin market, reinforces the cryptocurrency’s perceived stability and long-term potential. With heightened demand from institutional investors, market analysts anticipate continued upward momentum, particularly if Bitcoin maintains its standing above technical benchmarks.

In addition to investor demand, some traders have identified a “golden cross” in Bitcoin’s chart patterns — a bullish technical indicator where the 50-day moving average surpasses the 200-day moving average. This formation, often associated with strong upward price momentum, hints at potential for further gains, especially given Bitcoin’s historical price patterns during “golden cross” occurrences. Technical analysis suggests that if Bitcoin maintains its current trajectory, the cryptocurrency may continue rallying, fueled by favorable macroeconomic conditions and investor sentiment.


AI Integration Expands Mining Companies’ Revenue Streams

While Bitcoin’s price resurgence has positively affected mining stocks, the integration of AI technology has become an additional revenue catalyst for many Bitcoin mining companies. These firms are increasingly channeling their computing infrastructure toward high-performance computing applications, including AI, machine learning, and data processing. AI’s computational demands align well with mining rigs’ high processing power, providing an effective diversification strategy.

As per Askew, the pivot into AI has allowed mining firms to stabilize their revenue streams, especially during periods of low Bitcoin prices. AI’s rapid growth in the tech industry requires scalable, efficient computing power, and mining companies are well-positioned to meet this demand, given their extensive infrastructure. By tapping into these emerging markets, Bitcoin miners can benefit from a more diversified income base, potentially insulating them from Bitcoin’s inherent price volatility.

Bitdeer, for instance, has already integrated AI into its operations, and other firms are quickly following suit. This trend not only strengthens the resilience of individual companies but also aligns the Bitcoin mining sector with broader technological advancements. AI’s accelerated adoption across multiple industries suggests sustained demand for computing power, which could yield long-term benefits for Bitcoin mining companies actively engaged in these fields.

As Bitcoin mining stocks rally and companies diversify through AI, industry stakeholders continue to monitor both market trends and macroeconomic shifts. The combination of favorable interest rates, international adoption, and evolving technology has reinforced Bitcoin’s standing as a hedge against inflation, while simultaneously enabling miners to explore new avenues of growth.

Reference
https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-miners-soar-24-percent-macro-conditions-ease?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound

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