Bitcoin difficulty plunges, Buterin sells off Ethereum: Hodler’s Digest, Feb. 1 – 7

CoinTelegraph

by Editorial Staff

February 8, 2026

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Bitcoin mining difficulty experienced its sharpest drop since China’s 2021 crypto mining ban, falling by over 11% in a single adjustment period. This decline reflects reduced competition on the Bitcoin network, with block times stabilizing around 9.47 minutes and difficulty now set at 125.86 T for block 935,429. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin made headlines by selling approximately $6.6 million worth of ETH over three days, executed through multiple small transactions to minimize market impact. This move comes after Buterin had previously flagged his intention to reduce holdings, with the sale totaling about 2,961 Ether at an average price of $2,228 per ETH. The drop in Bitcoin difficulty is significant as it reduces the computational power required for mining, which could lead to lower electricity costs and higher profitability for miners. However, this adjustment is temporary, with difficulty projected to rise by about 5.63% on February 20. Meanwhile, Buterin’s sale has sparked speculation about his reasons for divesting ETH. While he did not provide specific details, his actions have been interpreted as a strategic move amid ongoing market volatility and Ethereum’s broader ecosystem developments. In other news, Vietnam is preparing to tax cryptocurrency transactions at a rate of 0.1% per trade, aligning digital assets with securities trading regulations. This new framework would apply to all transfers executed through licensed service providers, regardless of the investor’s residency status. Individuals would face a personal income tax of 0.1%, while companies would be subject to a 20% corporate income tax on crypto-related profits. This move reflects Vietnam’s growing regulatory focus on

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Originally published on CoinTelegraph on 2/8/2026