Major U.S. Bitcoin miners, including CleanSpark, Riot Platforms, Marathon Digital, and Iris Energy, curtailed operations during Winter Storm Fern in late January 2026, primarily impacting facilities in Texas.
The disruption underscores miners’ role in grid support, offering potential profit through demand-response programs while highlighting vulnerability to environmental factors like severe weather.
Bitcoin Miners Cut Operations Amid Texas Storm
Major Bitcoin miners in the US, including CleanSpark, Riot Platforms, and Marathon Digital, curtailed operations due to the Winter Storm Fern. The storm hit Texas and other deregulated power markets, impacting production levels significantly.
These companies participated in demand-response programs, reducing energy consumption to support stressed power grids. Such actions were incentivized financially, offering high margins to firms involved. Winter Storm Fern highlighted the vulnerability of Bitcoin mining operations to extreme weather events. “The grid may ask for that energy and the mining may turn off, but that means the grid is paying more for the energy than the miner is making by mining Bitcoin.” – Scott Norris, Chief Mining Officer, Omnes
60% Miner Hashrate Drop Observed
The storm caused miner hashrate to drop significantly, with Foundry USA experiencing a 60% decline. BTC production decreased by notable margins, impacting miner revenue. Market reactions were minimal, with the Bitcoin price remaining stable at approximately $88,300.
Miners earned substantial profits by selling power back to grids. Historical data indicates similar strategies during previous storms. Experts suggest that Bitcoin’s protocol can absorb such temporary shocks, maintaining network stability and security without major disruptions.
Adaptive Strategies in Extreme Weather
Previous extreme weather events, like storms in Texas, caused short-term hashrate drops. Miners often opt for voluntary curtailment to mitigate grid stress. Bitcoin’s difficulty adjustment mechanism consistently helps maintain network integrity after such events.
Industry experts observe that miners’ strategies reflect an adaptive approach to extreme weather. Demand-response programs facilitate financial gains while supporting grid stability, ensuring the protocol’s resilience against environmental disruptions.
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