In February, Bitcoin mining difficulty surged nearly 15% to a record 144.4 trillion, marking the largest absolute increase ever. This development comes as Bitdeer liquidated its entire proprietary Bitcoin holdings and announced plans to issue over $300 million in convertible notes for expansion. Meanwhile, macroeconomic pressures, including a 15% tariff hike by Trump, pushed Bitcoin prices below $65,000, resulting in $230 million in long liquidations. Additionally, Canaan acquired a 49% stake in Cipher Mining's ABC Projects for $39.75 million, highlighting ongoing strategic investments in the mining sector.