Difficulty Adjustment Bitcoin re-targets the difficulty every 2016 blocks to maintain 10-minute average block time despite hashrate fluctuations. Algorithm Implemented in in Bitcoin Core. Time-warp protection Sequential blocks must have: - . - (avoids future-dated blocks). These rules limit miner manipulation of timestamps to game the adjustment. Real-world dynamics - China mining ban (May 2021): hashrate dropped 50% over weeks; difficulty took 3 weeks to drop accordingly. Miners enjoyed high-revenue period during the lag. - Halvings cause hashrate dips that recover over months. - Seasonal fl…