In paragraph 14 of the mining terms titled negative returns. If Bitcoin falls below the breakeven value will BTCU automatically pause the miner operation or does the member need to give a written request to stop?
What is the breakeven value of Bitcoin which would produce negative returns?
Thank you for your question - paragraph 14 would come into play with current ASIC's if the price of BTC fell precipitously and / or the price of electricity rose dramatically. With older technology, this decision happens more often.
If the ASIC is mining less in USD value daily then it's cost to operate, BTCU will alert you and you will have the option to continue mining and pay the difference or pause your mining until it became profitable to mine again.
Often, when the price of BTC recedes from new highs you will see lots of miners drop off their respective pools and network difficulty fall as unprofitable S-9's (and other older ASICs) are pulled from the network.
This scenario shouldn't play out with the S19jPro's we are mining with today however this type of situation plays out consistently with classic S9's and other older miners (several generation old equipment / usually 5 years or more) wherein the older technology will only be profitable when BTC reaches a more elevated price level.
When that magic number is met (each machine has a different magic number based on wattage / hash rate), thousands of S-9's (and other older ASICs) jump back online and network difficulty again rises.
I hope this helps - feel free to ask a follow up and keep on mining!