<p>Mining is a self-adjusting system. The difficulty only rises in accordance to the available mining power. Hence, it can neither go to a difficulty where it will take months for a block to be found, nor can it become prohibitely expensive to mine.</p>

<p>Also see <a href="https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/q/5838/5406">How is difficulty calculated?</a>.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-18T10:15:01.847Z
2015-12-18T10:15:01.847Z
2017-04-13T12:47:33.583Z
Murch
<p>The cost of mining has actually decreased massively since CPU mining, which consumed something ridiculous like 5,000 Watts per GH/s. Today's best 16nm chips are speculated at running at less that 0.1 W per GH/s.</p>

<p>Second, the absolute cost of 1 TH/s of mining power has dropped significantly. You can pre-order an Antminer S7 batch 9 (~4.8 TH/s) for around 2.5 BTC.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-18T19:52:53.267Z
2015-12-18T19:52:53.267Z
user10405
<p>Ok, we already experienced over the last 6yr's how bitcoin mining calculations went from mineable with a cpu, to where you need very expensive computer equipment to mine profitably. So what's going to happen to Bitcoin mining when virtually nobody can afford the equipment, and not to mention the calculations get so complex and difficult that it takes months or even yrs to complete a calculation? Only thing I can think of is Bitcoin exchange rate will increase to a point where 1 bitcoin would be worth millions, NO?? </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-18T01:20:04.793Z
Huh? I think you have some misapprehensions about how mining works. You should read this: http://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/9078/what-is-proof-of-work
Nick ODell
<difficulty><adoption><hashpower>
What will happen to Bitcoin when it takes years to complete a calculation?
Metal
# What will happen to Bitcoin when it takes years to complete a calculation?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-12-18)

Ok, we already experienced over the last 6yr's how bitcoin mining calculations went from mineable with a cpu, to where you need very expensive computer equipment to mine profitably. So what's going to happen to Bitcoin mining when virtually nobody can afford the equipment, and not to mention the calculations get so complex and difficult that it takes months or even yrs to complete a calculation? Only thing I can think of is Bitcoin exchange rate will increase to a point where 1 bitcoin would be worth millions, NO??

**Tags:** difficulty, adoption, hashpower

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Huh? I think you have some misapprehensions about how mining works. You should read this: http://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/9078/what-is-proof-of-work  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2015-12-18. Score: 9

Mining is a self-adjusting system. The difficulty only rises in accordance to the available mining power. Hence, it can neither go to a difficulty where it will take months for a block to be found, nor can it become prohibitely expensive to mine.

Also see [How is difficulty calculated?](https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/q/5838/5406).


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### Answer by username_3 on 2015-12-18. Score: 3

The cost of mining has actually decreased massively since CPU mining, which consumed something ridiculous like 5,000 Watts per GH/s. Today's best 16nm chips are speculated at running at less that 0.1 W per GH/s.

Second, the absolute cost of 1 TH/s of mining power has dropped significantly. You can pre-order an Antminer S7 batch 9 (~4.8 TH/s) for around 2.5 BTC.


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