HashrateUp - A Bitcoin Mining Podcast

Hydro Cooling vs Air Cooling Reality Check w/Tom Merkle

🔗 Tom Merkle (Hashbranch): Website: https://hashbranch.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasmerkle/ In this episode of HashrateUp, Jesse sits down with Tom Merkle from Hashbranch to discuss survival strategies as Bitcoin mining enters unprecedented territory with hash price dropping below $30. What's covered in this episode: Jesse and Tom break down the current market conditions: Bitcoin at $64k, hash price at $29, and a -13% difficulty adjustment on the horizon. They analyze what's driving this downturn, compare it to historical crashes like the China mining ban, and discuss why the fundamentals of mining economics haven't changed despite the volatility. Tom explains why efficient machines, low acquisition costs, and the right hosting partner are the only factors that matter right now. Practical strategies for miners: Tom walks through Hashbranch's redeployment process for unprofitable hardware, from quality checkpoints to finding the right hosting contracts. The conversation covers profit-split structures that provide downside protection in volatile markets, hydro cooling as a path to 6+ year ASIC lifespans, and the critical differences between Type 1 and Type 2 facilities. They also explore the AI compute narrative, why mining won't simply disappear to GPU infrastructure, and how to think about your mining investment in Bitcoin terms rather than dollar terms. 🛠 Sponsored by: Hashbranch – Hosting & hardware made simple Code: HASHRATEUP100 https://hashbranch.com SoloMining – Home & solo mining made easy Code: HASHRATEUP https://solomining.de Altair Technology – Buy Bitcoin Mining Solutions Code: HASHRATEUP https://altairtech.io 📲 HashrateUp Hardware Deals Telegram: https://t.me/hashrateup 📩 Learn Bitcoin Mining (Free 5 Day Course) https://hashrateup.com/newsletter-sign-up/

Why I Only Recommend Hydro Hosting for New Miners [FOCUS]

Calculator: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HkLAbjzJyn69gE0m7MXtWTA3eUQG-eOK6K8wlYh_SHY/edit?usp=sharing In this episode of HashrateUp, Jesse breaks down hydro mining as a low-risk Bitcoin mining strategy with extended profitability through profit-split hosting arrangements. Jesse explores the fundamental question every miner faces: should you buy Bitcoin directly or invest in mining hardware? He examines hydro mining's advantages—7.5¢/kWh hosting, 95% uptime guarantees, superior physical longevity, and flexible profit-split agreements that activate when machines approach break-even. Through detailed ROI scenarios (bullish: 20 months, bearish: 85 months), he demonstrates how these arrangements work financially. The episode provides practical calculations showing how profit-split hosting dynamically adjusts costs based on hash price—from 6.8¢/kWh effective rate at 35 sats/PH to 5.5¢/kWh at 25 sats/PH—keeping machines online longer than fixed-rate competitors. Jesse explains why physical reliability (hydro cooling, minimal chip degradation, 6-10 year lifespan) combined with financial flexibility (annual profit-split renegotiation options) reduces the primary risks in hosted mining: achieving Bitcoin ROI and maintaining stable cash flow. 🛠 Sponsored by: Hashbranch – Hosting & hardware made simple Code: HASHRATEUP100 https://hashbranch.com SoloMining – Home & solo mining made easy Code: HASHRATEUP https://solomining.de Altair Technology – Buy Bitcoin Mining Solutions Code: HASHRATEUP https://altairtech.io 📲 HashrateUp Hardware Deals Telegram: https://t.me/hashrateup 📩 Learn Bitcoin Mining (Free 5 Day Course) https://hashrateup.com/newsletter-sign-up/

068 8 Years Mining Taught Me Why Cheap Power Fails w/ Stefan Kern

🔗 Stefan Kern: Website: https://www.bitkern.com/ X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/bitkern LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefan-kern-bitkern/ In dieser Episode von HashrateUp spricht Jesse mit Stefan Kern, CEO der Bitkern Group aus Österreich, über das Überleben und den Aufbau eines profitablen Bitcoin-Mining-Geschäfts in einem zunehmend wettbewerbsintensiven Markt. Stefan teilt seine Erfahrungen aus acht Jahren Bitcoin Mining – von den Anfängen in einem österreichischen Wasserkraftwerk bis hin zu einem global operierenden Service-Provider mit 50 MW Kapazität. Die Diskussion behandelt die größten Herausforderungen beim Mining in verschiedenen Jurisdiktionen, warum viele "Emerging Markets" zu riskant sind, und wie Bitkern sein Geschäftsmodell von einem hashprice-abhängigen Betrieb zu einem stabilen Service-Provider mit 100 Millionen Dollar Umsatzziel transformiert hat. Wir sprechen über die Realitäten von Mining-Standorten weltweit – von den Risiken in Venezuela, Paraguay und Äthiopien über die "Cowboy-Mentalität" in der UAE bis hin zu Premium-Standorten in den USA und Nordeuropa. Stefan erklärt, warum risikoadjustiertes Pricing wichtiger ist als nur niedrige Strompreise, wie Bitkern mit der aktuellen Hash-Price-Krise umgeht, und warum das Unternehmen massiv in Infrastruktur und Team investiert hat. Besonders interessant: Bitkerns neues Retail-Produkt "Bitkern Lite" mit Uptime-Garantie, flexiblen Tarifen und der Möglichkeit, zwischen 6,9 Cent und 4,5 Cent Hosting-Kosten zu wechseln – alles ohne versteckte Gebühren. ⚡ Behandelte Themen: Überleben als Bitcoin-Mining-Business seit 2017 Service-Provider-Modell vs. eigenes Mining Globale Mining-Standorte: USA, Kanada, Venezuela, Paraguay, Äthiopien, UAE, Russland Risikoadjustiertes Pricing: Warum billige Strompreise nicht alles sind UAE Mining: Realität vs. Marketing ("Cowboys" und illegale Landwirtschaftstarife) Emerging Markets: Chancen und massive Risiken (Regulierungsänderungen, Infrastruktur) Premium-Standorte in Nordamerika und Nordeuropa Bitkerns Wachstum: Verdopplung des Umsatzes auf 100M$ Ziel in 2025 Neue Produkte: Bitkern Lite für Retail, Bitkern Pro für Institutionelle Flexible Hosting-Tarife mit Uptime-Garantie Mining vs. Direct Purchase: Wann lohnt sich was? Technische Infrastruktur: Eigene CRM-, Dashboard- und API-Systeme Aktueller Markt: Ist jetzt eine gute Zeit, Miner zu kaufen? Lessons Learned: Häufigste Fehler im Mining-Business 🛠 Gesponsert von: Hashbranch – Hosting & Hardware einfach gemacht Code: HASHRATEUP100 https://hashbranch.com SoloMining – Home & Solo Mining einfach gemacht Code: HASHRATEUP https://solomining.de Altair Technology – Bitcoin Mining Lösungen kaufen Code: HASHRATEUP https://altairtech.io 📲 HashrateUp Hardware Deals Telegram: https://t.me/hashrateup 📩 Bitcoin Mining lernen (Kostenloser 5-Tage-Kurs) https://hashrateup.com/newsletter-sign-up/

067 Vented Gas vs Flare Gas Bitcoin Mining Explained w/ Daniel Batten

📊 This Waste Problem Could Make Bitcoin Mining Carbon Negative In this episode of HashrateUp, Jesse sits down with Daniel Batten, Managing Partner at CH4 Capital, to break down one of the most misunderstood topics in Bitcoin mining: vented gas and landfill methane mining. We explore how Bitcoin mining can turn unburned methane from landfills into ultra-low-cost energy. Daniel explains the difference between flare gas and vented gas, why methane is far more dangerous than CO₂ in the short term, and how a relatively small number of landfill projects could theoretically make the Bitcoin network carbon negative without offsets. The conversation also covers why low hashprice environments push miners toward stranded energy, how landfill gas projects work in practice, what kind of capex and power pricing makes them viable, and why Bitcoin miners may be the only realistic buyers of this wasted energy globally. ⚡ Topics covered: Vented gas vs flare gas Bitcoin mining Why methane matters more than CO₂ Landfills as a major unaddressed methane source How landfill gas is captured and converted into power Why Bitcoin mining fits stranded energy so well Low hashprice environments and miner incentives Capex, power pricing, and long-term PPAs How Bitcoin mining could become carbon negative CH4 Capital’s landfill financing model What the ideal mining partner looks like 🔗 Daniel Batten: Website: https://danielbatten.co/X (Twitter): https://x.com/DSBattenLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielsbatten/ 🛠 Sponsored by: Hashbranch – Hosting & hardware made simple Code: HASHRATEUP100 https://hashbranch.com SoloMining – Home & solo mining made easy Code: HASHRATEUP https://solomining.de Altair Technology – Buy Bitcoin Mining Solutions Code: HASHRATEUP https://altairtech.io 📲 HashrateUp Hardware Deals Telegram: https://t.me/hashrateup 📩 Learn Bitcoin Mining (Free 5 Day Course) https://hashrateup.com/newsletter-sign-up/

066 Can Pure-Play Bitcoin Miners Survive Without AI? w/Cindy Feng

🔗 Bitcoin Mining Stocks https://bitcoinminingstock.io/ 📊 Pure-Play Bitcoin Miners in the Age of AI In this episode of HashrateUp, Jesse speaks with Cindy Feng, founder of Bitcoin Mining Stocks and former Bitdeer IR & marketing team member, about the state of public Bitcoin mining companies in 2026. With hashprice around 38, a -3.58% difficulty adjustment, and an ASIC market in free fall (S21s trading at $6–7), the economics for public miners have fundamentally shifted. Cindy breaks down the widening divide in the market: miners pivoting toward AI/HPC are seeing 200–300% stock gains, while pure-play Bitcoin miners are under pressure. We discuss Bitdeer overtaking Marathon as the world’s largest public miner, why only 6 out of 30+ public companies have announced major AI deals, what investors are actually focused on today, and whether pure-play Bitcoin mining can survive in this environment. ⚡ Topics covered Hashprice environment & market conditions Public miner stock performance: winners vs. losers The AI/HPC pivot: who’s doing it and why Bitdeer’s 500% self-mining growth & becoming #1 worldwide ASIC market collapse & equipment valuation Treasury strategies & capital allocation What matters most for public miners in 2026 Outlook for hash rate, difficulty & ASIC prices 🛠 Sponsored by Hashbranch – Hosting & hardware made simple Code: HASHRATEUP100 https://hashbranch.com SoloMining – Home & solo mining made easy Code: HASHRATEUP https://solomining.de Altair Technology – Bitcoin Mining Solutions https://altairtech.io 📲 HashrateUp Hardware Deals Telegram: https://t.me/hashrateup 📩 Free 5 Day Bitcoin Mining Course https://hashrateup.com/newsletter-sign-up/ 🎧 Follow HashrateUp Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6At5Inqb2JHVl4k9VuPO8t Twitter: https://twitter.com/HashrateUp Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hashrateupbtc/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hashrateup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hashrateup