Hashrate Trends

Definition ∞ Hashrate Trends refer to the observed patterns and changes in the total computational power dedicated to mining a specific cryptocurrency, particularly those using Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus. A rising hashrate generally indicates increased mining activity and network security, while a declining hashrate can signal issues with profitability or network stability. Monitoring these trends offers insight into the health and security of PoW blockchains.
Context ∞ Hashrate trends are closely watched indicators of network security and miner sentiment for Proof-of-Work cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. News reports often analyze hashrate fluctuations in response to price movements, energy costs, regulatory changes, and hardware advancements. Discussions frequently touch upon the geographic distribution of mining power and its implications for network decentralization and security.