Bitcoin Mining Distribution: How Hash Power Is Really Spread Across the World
When you hear about Bitcoin mining distribution, the geographic and operational spread of the computational power that secures the Bitcoin network. It's not just about who runs the machines—it's about who controls the energy, the hardware, and the rules. Most people think Bitcoin mining is decentralized, but the truth is far from it. A handful of countries now handle over 80% of the global hash rate, and a few mining pools control the majority of new blocks. This isn't accidental—it's shaped by electricity costs, government policy, and access to cheap hardware.
Mining pools, groups of miners who combine their computing power to increase rewards and share payouts. These aren't just technical tools—they're power centers. The top three pools alone often produce more than half of all new Bitcoin blocks. Meanwhile, Bitcoin hash power, the total computational strength used to validate Bitcoin transactions and secure the network. It's not evenly distributed. In 2025, over 35% of mining happens in the U.S., mostly in Texas and Georgia, where renewable energy and deregulated grids make it profitable. Another 20% sits in Kazakhstan and Russia, where power is cheap and oversight is weak. China, once the giant, got pushed out by its 2021 ban, but its hardware still powers mines from Central Asia to South America.
Bitcoin mining regulations, the laws that determine where mining can legally operate, how much power it can use, and whether it's taxed or banned. These rules are reshaping the map. New Brunswick in Canada shut down new mining to protect its grid. Brazil slapped a 17.5% tax on crypto gains, pushing miners to find loopholes. Meanwhile, Venezuela and Russia use mining to bypass sanctions, turning Bitcoin into a tool for survival. These aren't just technical issues—they're economic lifelines for some, and threats to others.
What you'll find in the posts below isn't just theory. It's real-world cases: how New Brunswick’s ban forced miners to flee, how Venezuela uses crypto to keep its economy alive, and why Russian traders are stuck using VPNs to access exchanges. You'll see how mining isn't just about computers—it's about power grids, politics, and survival. This is the hidden side of Bitcoin you won't hear from the hype machines. The truth is messy, uneven, and constantly changing. And if you want to understand where Bitcoin is really headed, you need to know where its miners are.