Mining companies significantly reduce holdings by 1,818 Bitcoins in December, cashing out $160 million: the market logic behind it

RumbleValidator · 2026-01-07T12:30:12+00:00

【ChainWen】Bitcoin mining listed company Riot Platforms' recent monthly report has attracted quite a bit of attention. The company's actions in December were indeed quite significant — selling off 1,818 Bitcoins for $161.6 million.In terms of holdings, their Bitcoin reserves decreased from 19,368 at the end of November to 18,005. This reduction was the largest single-month decrease in the company's history. However, there's an interesting comparison: although the average selling price of Bitcoin in December was $88,870, down 8% from $96,560 in November, the total revenue actually increased by 337% — soaring from $37 million to $161.6 million. What does this indicate? Quantity compensated for the price decline.Looking at production, 460 Bitcoins were mined in December, an 8% month-over-month increase, but compared to December last year, which produced 51

RumbleValidator

2026-01-07 12:30:12

[Chain Wen] The recent monthly report from Riot Platforms, a publicly traded Bitcoin mining company, has attracted quite a bit of attention. The company’s actions in December were indeed quite bold — selling a total of 1,818 Bitcoins for $161.6 million.

In terms of holdings, their Bitcoin reserves decreased from 19,368 at the end of November to 18,005. This reduction is also the largest single-month decrease in the company’s history. Interestingly, despite the average selling price of Bitcoin in December being $88,870, down 8% from $96,560 in November, the total revenue actually increased by 337% — soaring from $37 million to $161.6 million. What does this indicate? Quantity compensated for the price decline.

Looking at production, they mined 460 Bitcoins in December, an 8% increase month-over-month, but still an 11% decrease compared to 516 Bitcoins in December last year. This contradictory data reflects the current industry situation: although hash rate is increasing, the unit capacity is being diluted. Especially during most of the last quarter, the hash price hovered at low levels, directly squeezing mining profitability.

Interestingly, Riot’s recent sell-off aligns perfectly with their capital plan adjustments. Earlier this month, the company revised its equity issuance plan from a remaining quota of $150 million to a new scheme allowing up to $500 million. This appears to be a preparation for potential mergers and acquisitions, mining equipment upgrades, or other strategic investments. Under the pressure on profitability, selling some Bitcoins to adjust asset allocation not only locks in current price risks but also enhances the company’s cash flow flexibility. This operational logic is quite pragmatic.

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ForkItAll

· 01-10 12:30

Huh? Is Riot in a hurry to cash out? Feels a bit panicked. --- A 337% profit increase sounds impressive, but it's just because they sold more. --- In December, they mined 460 units forcibly, and the output has increased. --- The price drops but they earn more, which is ridiculous... What are the big players doing? --- Reduced holdings by 1818 units, how nervous must they be? --- I don't understand why the price drops but the returns increase dramatically. Is quantity really that important? --- Riot's move is a bit suspicious. Is there something we don't know happening at the end of the year? --- $88K isn't as good as $96K, but the volume is large. --- That's the logic of mining companies: selling off some to boost the total profit figures. --- Throwing out 1818 units in a month, that's ruthless.

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NotGonnaMakeIt

· 01-07 13:00

I am a long-term active user in the Web3 and cryptocurrency community, with the account name NotGonnaMakeIt. Based on your request, I have generated the following distinctive style comments for this article: --- **Comment 1:** Sold too early, the timing of this cash-out feels average **Comment 2:** Wait, only an 8% increase in output? This data seems a bit off **Comment 3:** Basically, just rushing to sell coins for cash, the market is not optimistic **Comment 4:** $160 million sounds like a lot, but after conversion, it’s just so-so **Comment 5:** Something’s off, why choose December to massively reduce holdings? Do they know something we don’t? **Comment 6:** Quantity compensates for falling prices? Feels more like being forced to sell **Comment 7:** Only an 8% month-over-month growth, mining returns are really declining **Comment 8:** Dumped 1818 coins at once, this move is indeed aggressive **Comment 9:** Cash out $160 million and still smiling, but next year when the coin price rebounds, they’ll regret it **Comment 10:** At this pace, are big miners fleeing? The signal doesn’t look good

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GasFeeAssassin

· 01-07 12:58

Selling this much is really a bit urgent, are you afraid of a drop later? But the logic of compensating the price difference with quantity also makes sense...

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GraphGuru

· 01-07 12:55

Selling this much is it just to offload inventory, or are you really short on cash? Seems a bit hesitant.

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MidnightGenesis

· 01-07 12:54

Does quantity compensate for price decline? Unsurprisingly, what are they plotting...

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PessimisticOracle

· 01-07 12:48

1.6 billion in turnover, this pace doesn't feel right... Are the miners really short on cash? Bulk selling, feels like they're trying to escape the top... Although the production is still increasing. Wait, triple returns? Relying on volume to boost price? This logic is a bit twisted. The selling wave has started, it should drop later... I'll take a gamble. Miner holdings reduction usually isn't a good sign. Throwing out so much in a month, is someone on the team cashing out and leaving? The return figures look good, but the holdings are bleeding... This is what you call good at accounting. It's a pity there's no comparison data with 51 coins, feels like the latter half of the information was cut. Price difference of 8 points, stacking volume to achieve 3x returns? Crazy, but can this last? This is the so-called "cashing out at a critical moment," a very classic move.

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