Well shit... In the bitmain threads they are saying the S3 isn't quite put together yet. That means the current hashrate increase wasn't from them and that there will be a bump once they start shipping them out.
I kinda hope they are lying to us and have been testing the S3's. So who is responsible for all that hashrate that was added recently?
KNC neptunes and asicminer gen3 probably played a role.
Also, according to my snooping at antminer's address
https://blockchain.info/address/1QB8Ds5KbGYBLQa5RyDQ2sVUeSKWf7qgkZ it doesn't look like they have sold more than ~5000 S3s so far. This would only increase the difficulty a tiny 2% if everything got turned on at the same time.
We may finally, finally be seeing a plateau!
I think the issue now is the margins on the hardware are quickly dropping and it's just not worth it for manufactures to produce more machines.
I agree that diff will flatten . And sooner over later.
take the pattern I use of replacing older gear with newer gear. looking to get more hash better power decent price.
I am not the only person doing this.
Now look at gear that does 2 watts per hash.
And see that all 2 watt gear will not pay for power at a diff of 41 and btc at 620 usd. power at 15 cents.
So all 2 watt gear is going to phase out . I no longer own any 2 watt gear (well 9 fury usb sticks)
and I have 1th at 1000 watts and soon to have s-3's.
My guess is quite a few miners are moving selling shifting their 2 watt gear.
the 200 days from dec 21st 2013 to july 9 2014 growth is about 18%
the prior 200 days growth was 24%
the next 200 days growth will be under 18% my guess stands at 13-15%.
asics will hit a wall .5 watts or at best .2 watts. this wall will be reached right around the next halving . Should be very interesting to see it happen.
Or will all growth be moved towards LTC/alt coins?