Bitcoin Production in September Softens Amid Rising Difficulty — MARA Maintains Lead

Core Insights - Bitcoin mining production declined in September 2025 as mining difficulty reached an all-time high, impacting smaller miners more severely than larger companies [1][8] - Marathon Digital Holdings (MARA) maintained its leading position in Bitcoin production, mining 736 BTC in September, while other major miners experienced declines [2][8] Mining Production Data - Cango mined approximately 616 BTC in September, down from 663 BTC in August [2] - CleanSpark produced 629 BTC, a slight decrease from the previous month [2] - Riot Platforms generated 445 BTC, compared to 477 BTC in August [2] - BitFuFu's output fell sharply to 329 BTC [2] - MARA's production of 736 BTC allowed it to further expand its Bitcoin reserves [2] Industry Challenges - The Bitcoin network difficulty increased to 142.34 trillion (T) in September, leading to lower hashprice and tighter profit margins for miners [5][6] - Smaller miners are facing increased operational costs and technical volatility, making it difficult to sustain profitability [4][6] - A proposed anti-Bitcoin mining bill in New York could impose a progressive tax on mining companies, potentially disrupting operations and increasing regulatory scrutiny [7] Strategic Positioning - Larger miners like MARA, with efficient infrastructure and BTC accumulation strategies, are better positioned to navigate the rising difficulty and shrinking profit margins [8] - Smaller firms may need to consider strategies such as selling BTC, reducing power capacity, or scaling operations to remain competitive [8]