The Bitcoin mining industry is poised for significant growth and increased competition by 2026, according to a report by RBC. The report highlights that liquidity and crypto markets are becoming central to this evolution, with Russia and Kazakhstan emerging as leaders in establishing legal frameworks. Haipo Yang of ViaBTC notes that the industry is seeing improved efficiency and diversification, with miners expanding into staking and wallet services. Institutional interest in Bitcoin mining is on the rise, driven by tighter global CFT measures. While Litecoin and Dogecoin offer quicker returns, Bitcoin's payback period remains stable at 2.5 to 3 years. Mining pools are expanding their services to adapt to these shifting dynamics.