Bitdeer Unseats MARA as Global Bitcoin Mining Leader, Propelled by AI and Proprietary Tech

The global Bitcoin mining landscape is witnessing a significant power shift. Bitdeer (Nasdaq: BTDR), under the astute leadership of co-founder Jihan Wu, has officially surpassed long-standing industry titan MARA Holdings (Nasdaq: MARA) to claim the title of the world’s largest Bitcoin mining operation by total managed hash rate.

Bitdeer’s Dominance in Hash Rate

According to its latest operational report for December, Bitdeer announced an impressive “Total Hash Rate Under Management” of 71 EH/s. This figure encompasses 55.2 EH/s from its self-operated mining activities and additional hosted equipment. In stark contrast, MARA’s “Energized Hashrate” currently stands at approximately 61.7 EH/s. While market observers note the slight definitional difference between “managed” and “energized” hash rates, Bitdeer’s leading position is clear, signaling a new era in the competitive Bitcoin mining sector.

The Technological Edge: SEALMINER Chips

Bitdeer’s rapid ascent is largely attributed to the successful mass deployment of its proprietary SEALMINER mining chips. This advanced technology has dramatically boosted production, enabling the company to mine 636 Bitcoins in December 2025 alone – a remarkable 4.3-fold increase from the 145 Bitcoins mined during the same period in 2024. The efficiency gains are undeniable: the SEAL04-1 chip boasts an energy efficiency ratio of just 6-7 J/TH at low voltage, significantly outperforming MARA’s fleet average of 19 J/TH. This technological superiority positions Bitdeer with a clear advantage in operational costs and profit margins, crucial for sustainable growth in the volatile crypto market.

Strategic Pivot to AI and High-Performance Computing (HPC)

In the wake of Bitcoin’s halving event, which intensifies pressure on mining profitability, industry players are increasingly diversifying into more lucrative sectors like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and High-Performance Computing (HPC). Bitdeer has emerged as a frontrunner in this strategic pivot.

VanEck’s Head of Research, Matt Sigel, highlighted Bitdeer’s substantial growth, noting its 71 EH/s hash rate (representing approximately 6% of the global network) marked an 18% month-over-month and a staggering 229% year-over-year increase by the end of December. Sigel further explained the company’s aggressive strategy:

$BTDR becomes world’s largest Bitcoin miner, leapfrogging $MARA.

Bitdeer reported 71 EH/s capacity as of end December (~6% of global hash rate), +18% m/m, +229% y/y.

Like other miners, they are actively selling everything they mine (and more) to fund the AI pivot. pic.twitter.com/FZSieHqyiA

— matthew sigel, recovering CFA (@matthew_sigel) January 13, 2026

To solidify its AI ambitions, Bitdeer has aggressively expanded its AI infrastructure across at least eight strategic locations. These include facilities in Canada, Ethiopia, Norway, and key U.S. states such as Ohio, Tennessee, and Washington, positioning it at the forefront of the computational power revolution.

Contrasting Strategies: Bitdeer vs. MARA

The strategic divergence between the two giants is stark. While Bitdeer aggressively pursues AI expansion and adopts a ‘sell-to-fund’ approach, holding only about 2,000 Bitcoins, MARA maintains a more conservative stance. Operating 18 data centers primarily equipped with Bitmain’s Antminer machines, MARA’s core strategy remains focused on “hodling” Bitcoin. It currently boasts an impressive treasury of over 55,000 BTC, placing it second only to MicroStrategy among publicly listed companies globally in terms of Bitcoin holdings. Although MARA has begun exploring AI initiatives, its primary focus on accumulating digital assets sets it apart from Bitdeer’s rapid diversification.

Bitdeer’s Journey and Future Outlook

Founded in 2020 by industry veteran Jihan Wu, Bitdeer’s journey has seen its share of fluctuations. Despite a significant 173.6% revenue surge in Q3 2025, initial investor expectations were tempered by slower-than-anticipated progress in its AI deployments. However, its recent performance and strategic shifts suggest a renewed trajectory for growth and innovation in both Bitcoin mining and the burgeoning AI/HPC sectors.