Analysis: 42.6% of Bitcoin's hash rate is concentrated in the United States, and the controversy over mining pool control continues to escalate

June 14. While Bitcoin’s network design centers on decentralization and censorship resistance, experts are now revisiting these core tenets—given that roughly 42.5% of global hashrate is currently concentrated in the United States. Data shows U.S.-listed public mining companies control about 31.5% of global hashrate, with broader estimates pointing to even higher total influence. Leading mining pool Foundry USA has long held the largest global hashrate share, at one point nearing one-third of the total network capacity on its own. Analysts argue the real risk isn’t just geographic centralization—it’s concentration at the pool level. Pools dictate which transactions are included and how block templates are structured, and the top mining pools combined now hold over two-thirds of global hashrate, fueling concerns over widespread transaction censorship. Following global mining bans in 2021, the Bitcoin network proved highly adaptable: after a sharp short-term drop in global hashrate, it quickly shifted operations to regions like the U.S. and Canada, maintaining full network security throughout the transition. That said, several factors limit the sustainability of potential systemic censorship. Miners can switch pools freely, mining equipment is easily moved across borders, and transaction fee incentive models act as a check on long-term censorship efforts. Technological solutions like Stratum V2 may also reduce pools’ control over transaction selection, further decentralizing network governance. Decentralization of the Bitcoin network should be evaluated comprehensively based on pool control, incentive structures, and energy distribution—not just a single geographic metric. The current 42.5% U.S. hashrate share is better viewed as a trend signal rather than a definitive, permanent state.