Navigating the Halving Pain Period: What Changes Are Happening in Gate BTC Mining Rewards?

The crypto market of 2026 is standing at a historic crossroads.

After reaching a record high of $126,080, Bitcoin experienced nearly a 50% retracement and is now seeking support around $65,000. For long-term holders, the “buy and hold” HODL philosophy is facing unprecedented challenges. Meanwhile, traditional physical mining has become less attractive due to cost issues (currently, producing one BTC costs up to $87,000), discouraging ordinary retail investors.

During this “underwater” halving cycle, a solution that lies between “holding” and “mining”—Gate BTC Mining—is gaining market attention. As the halving effect continues to deepen, what specific changes have occurred in BTC mining returns on the Gate platform? This article will analyze the latest data in depth.

Macro Changes: When “Halving Cycle” Meets “Cost Inversion”

To understand the changes in Gate BTC mining returns, we must first look at the special time point of February 2026.

Traditional halving narratives usually follow the simple logic of “supply reduction—price surge.” However, this cycle appears unusually complex. According to Gate Research Institute data, although the block reward has halved to 3.125 BTC, the total network hash rate remains stable above 1.1 ZH/s. High hash rate means high difficulty. On February 20, Bitcoin’s network difficulty was adjusted upward by 14.73%, one of the largest increases since 2021.

This macro background directly leads to two outcomes:

1. Miner Surrender: Old mining machines are forced offline, resulting in the largest single downward adjustment in network hash rate since 2021.
2. Entry Barriers Rise: For individuals, purchasing a mainstream Antminer S21e costs about $19,450, plus complex maintenance and exorbitant electricity costs.

Against this backdrop of “professional miners losing money and individual miners dropping out,” Gate’s BTC mining service, with its hardware-free and highly liquid features, has become a “safe haven” for ordinary investors to share in the Bitcoin network’s dividends during this period.

Revenue Breakdown: What Do the Latest Data on Gate BTC Mining Tell Us?

The core metric for evaluating any mining product is its actual output data.

According to Gate BTC mining page data, the current BTC mined on the platform is 2,657 coins, with an estimated annualized return of 5.49%.

Compared to a month ago (early February), this figure has fluctuated significantly. At that time, the estimated annualized return was as high as around 9.99%. The adjustment from 9.99% to 5.49% is not due to platform policy changes but reflects market laws during the halving cycle:

1. Network Hash Rate Rebalancing: As some high-cost miners exit the competition, the network difficulty fluctuates sharply and then reaches a new equilibrium. Gate’s cloud mining hash rate comes from physical mines located in regions with low electricity prices. While more efficient than individual miners buying machines, it still follows Bitcoin’s halving law. When the network’s per-unit hash output declines, the nominal annualized return of Gate’s products naturally decreases.
2. The Battle Between Bitcoin Price and Hash Rate: Currently, BTC price fluctuates around $67,000, while production costs are as high as $87,000. This inversion forces compliant service providers like Gate to focus more on “refined operations,” prioritizing the security of underlying assets rather than chasing short-term super-high yields.

Why Does the Yield Drop While Participation Increases?

An interesting phenomenon is that, despite the annualized return dropping from 9.99% to 5.49%, the total staked BTC on Gate remains stable above 2,600 coins.

This reflects a shift in long-term holder mentality: in bear or volatile markets, “coin-based” thinking outweighs “fiat-based” thinking.

Let’s do some quick calculations:

• Scenario A: Hold 10 BTC in your wallet without moving. After one year, you still have 10 BTC.
• Scenario B: Stake 10 BTC in Gate mining. With a 5.49% annualized yield, after one year, your coins will grow to approximately 10.549 BTC.

Although the fiat value of 5.49% yield appears to shrink during price declines, your Bitcoin holdings are actually increasing. For investors confident in Bitcoin’s long-term value (e.g., Gate Research Institute’s forecast of $87,184.43 in 2028), accumulating more coins at lower prices is the right way to navigate cycles.

Risks and Strategies: How to Layout Under a 5.49% Return?

Of course, all investments carry risks. While Gate BTC mining avoids physical hardware noise and depreciation, attention should be paid to:

• Market Risk: If BTC/USD continues to decline, the total fiat value may shrink even if the coin amount increases. Returns are settled in BTC, so you’re betting on Bitcoin’s long-term consensus.
• Difficulty Risk: As the next halving approaches (block reward drops to 1.5625 BTC), future annualized yields may continue to decline slowly. Users should see this as an “anti-dilution” tool rather than a “get-rich-quick” scheme.

To mitigate these risks, Gate has built multiple protective mechanisms. Over 95% of assets are stored in cold storage, and an insurance fund exceeding $100 million has been established. Additionally, Gate undergoes regular third-party security audits from organizations like CertiK, ensuring that every BTC participating in mining is backed by real hash power.

Conclusion: “Labor Participation” in the New Cycle

The 2026 halving cycle marks the end of the “barbaric hodling” phase. When simply holding can’t beat time, and physical mining doors close to ordinary people, Gate BTC mining offers a balanced and efficient solution.

While the current estimated annualized return of 5.49% has declined compared to early this year, it signifies market rationality returning. It filters out speculators and retains true long-term believers.

For users on Gate, this is not just about lending assets for interest but also about participating in the “labor” of the Bitcoin network. As prices slowly climb, let each BTC “work” for you instead of lying dormant and waiting to be diluted—that’s the most pragmatic long-term approach in 2026.