What happens when the price of Bitcoin falls below the cost of mining?

[Zin-Zang]

So, I was thinking, for the long term, even if Bitcoin goes below USD 6000, no worries, 5000, 4000, much the same. Hodl for the long run.

But, the vitality of Bitcoin is maintained by the continuous mining of Bitcoin. On an average these mining costs are USD 3000 to 3500 approximately. So, what happens when Bitcoin falls to that level?

Maybe the mining rigs won't mind bearing losses for a few months if they sense an upside later on. But, what if they don't, and start bailing out?

In that case, USD 3000 or whatever the lowest cost of mining Bitcoin will effectively become the null point.
If Bitcoin falls to that point, downwards beyond that is a steep vertical cliff wall, and an inevitable fall to Zero.

Additions to your Point.

If Bitcoin falls to that point, downwards beyond that is a steep vertical cliff wall,
Next HashRate Drops  * Currently happening *
Next 51% Attack
Then a Network Death Spiral , No BTC can be moved
Then an inevitable fall to Zero.

[Prayservice Thomas]

Since there are people with free electricity there will always be someone who will be able to profit through mining.
Just those who pay for power will have hard times.

[Zin-Zang]

Since there are people with free electricity there will always be someone who will be able to profit through mining.
Just those who pay for power will have hard times.

Who are these people with Free Electricity?

[kalstarzz]

then mining will die as it did today, bitcoin has dropped below mining costs and many miners have sold their mining tools. and I think the remaining total bitcoin supply will remain intact.

[libert19]

Some miners will stop mining, so Bitcoin mining difficulty will decrease, and it will bring some new miners.

[SouzaThomson]

i see they still hopt BTC rise up. but i think the end is coming. we have to face with it

[kaisa]

then mining will die as it did today, bitcoin has dropped below mining costs and many miners have sold their mining tools. and I think the remaining total bitcoin supply will remain intact.

Hey, check statistics (https://www.blockchain.com/explorer) and no mining dies. even when bitcoin has mined a total of 21 million mining systems will remain alive. The strength of bitcoin will be in the mining system unless there is a fairer transaction confirmation method in the future.

[Zin-Zang]

then mining will die as it did today, bitcoin has dropped below mining costs and many miners have sold their mining tools. and I think the remaining total bitcoin supply will remain intact.

Hey, check statistics (https://www.blockchain.com/explorer) and no mining dies. even when bitcoin has mined a total of 21 million mining systems will remain alive. The strength of bitcoin will be in the mining system unless there is a fairer transaction confirmation method in the future.

Don't count on it.   

On the Instability of Bitcoin Without the Block Reward
http://randomwalker.info/publications/mining_CCS.pdf


26 page read, explaining why btc is toast without block rewards.

[KingScorpio]

more miners will give up,

currently mining bitcoin is only profitable in china, and icleand on an industrial scale, bitcoin isnt even the coin of the small guys anymore its the coin of the big miner boys now.