Ethereum (ETH) is one of the most popular cryptocurrencies in the world, powering decentralized applications (dApps), smart contracts, and NFTs. While Ethereum mining has been a profitable activity for years, Ethereum’s transition to Ethereum 2.0 (Proof-of-Stake) has changed the mining landscape. However, Ethereum Classic (ETC) and other Ethereum-based coins still allow mining.
If you’re interested in how to mine Ethereum, this guide will explain everything you need to know, including mining requirements, hardware, software, and profitability in 2025.
What Is Ethereum Mining?
Mining Ethereum involves solving complex mathematical problems using powerful computing hardware. Miners compete to validate transactions and secure the blockchain network.
In exchange for their work, miners earn Ethereum (ETH) rewards for successfully adding a block to the blockchain. However, due to Ethereum’s transition to Proof-of-Stake (PoS), mining Ethereum (ETH) is no longer possible. Instead, miners can still mine Ethereum Classic (ETC), a fork of Ethereum that remains on Proof-of-Work (PoW).
Ethereum vs. Ethereum Classic: What’s the Difference?
Feature Ethereum (ETH) Ethereum Classic (ETC)
Consensus Mechanism Proof-of-Stake (PoS) Proof-of-Work (PoW)
Mining Allowed? ❌ No ✅ Yes
Mining Hardware Not applicable GPUs & ASICs
Since Ethereum (ETH) can no longer be mined, this guide will focus on how to mine Ethereum Classic (ETC), which still uses Proof-of-Work (PoW).
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Mine Ethereum Classic (ETC) in 2025
If you want to mine Ethereum Classic, follow these steps:
Step 1: Choose the Right Mining Hardware
To mine Ethereum Classic (ETC) efficiently, you need a powerful mining rig. There are two main types of mining hardware:
1. GPU Mining (Best for Beginners)
✅ Uses Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) to mine Ethereum Classic.
✅ Best GPUs for mining:
🔹 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 – 120 MH/s
🔹 AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT – 65 MH/s
🔹 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti – 60 MH/s
2. ASIC Mining (Best for Professionals)
✅ Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) miners are more efficient but expensive.
✅ Best ASIC miners for Ethereum Classic:
🔹 Antminer E9 Pro – 3680 MH/s
🔹 Pollo V1 – 3000 MH/s
GPU mining is cheaper and more flexible, while ASIC mining is more powerful but costly.
Step 2: Select the Best Mining Software
Once you have your mining hardware, you need mining software to connect to the blockchain.
Here are the best Ethereum Classic mining software options:
🔹 NBMiner – Best for NVIDIA GPUs
🔹 GMiner – Efficient for both AMD and NVIDIA
🔹 T-Rex Miner – Optimized for high hash rate and low power usage
🔹 PhoenixMiner – Known for stability and performance
Download and install the software that works best for your GPU or ASIC miner.
Step 3: Choose a Mining Pool
Mining solo is difficult because of high competition. Instead, join a mining pool to combine resources and earn consistent rewards.
Here are the best Ethereum Classic (ETC) mining pools:
🔹 Ethermine – One of the largest and most reliable pools.
🔹 F2Pool – Great for both beginners and professional miners.
🔹 2Miners – Offers automatic payouts and low fees.
🔹 Nanopool – Good for small-scale miners.
When choosing a mining pool, consider:
✅ Pool fees – Most pools charge 1-2% fees.
✅ Payout method – Some pools offer daily payouts.
Step 4: Set Up Your Crypto Wallet
Before you start mining, you need a secure wallet to store your Ethereum Classic (ETC) rewards.
Here are the best wallets for ETC mining:
🔹 MetaMask – A popular browser-based wallet.
🔹 Trust Wallet – A mobile-friendly option.
🔹 Ledger Nano X – A secure hardware wallet for long-term storage.
Once your wallet is set up, copy your wallet address—you’ll need this to receive your mining rewards.
Step 5: Configure Your Mining Software
Now that you have:
✅ Mining Hardware
✅ Mining Software
✅ A mining pool
✅ A crypto wallet
It’s time to configure your mining software.
🔹 Open the mining software and enter the pool details (server, port).
🔹 Input your wallet address to receive payouts.
🔹 Adjust settings for optimal performance (overclocking, power limits).
🔹 Start mining! 🎉
Once you start mining, your mining rig will begin solving cryptographic puzzles and earning Ethereum Classic (ETC) rewards.
Is Ethereum Classic Mining Still Profitable in 2025?
Mining Ethereum Classic (ETC) can still be profitable, but profitability depends on several factors:
1. Mining Difficulty
🚀 As more miners join, the difficulty increases, reducing earnings.
2. Electricity Costs
⚡ Mining consumes a lot of power. Countries with cheap electricity (China, Iceland, Texas, Canada) are ideal for mining.
3. Market Price of ETC
💰 If the price of Ethereum Classic rises, mining becomes more profitable.
To check mining profitability, use a crypto mining calculator to estimate your expected earnings based on hash rate and power costs.
Tips to Maximize Ethereum Classic Mining Profits
1. Optimize Power Usage
💡 Reduce electricity costs by using energy-efficient GPUs and ASIC miners.
2. Join a Reliable Mining Pool
🤝 Pools increase chances of consistent earnings instead of waiting for solo block rewards.
3. Use Renewable Energy
☀️ Some miners use solar panels or hydroelectric power to cut costs.
4. Upgrade Your Mining Hardware
⚙️ Newer mining machines have higher hash rates and lower power consumption.
5. Monitor Market Trends
📊 Keep track of ETC price movements—sell mined coins at high market prices.
The Future of Ethereum Mining: What’s Next?
Since Ethereum (ETH) has moved to Proof-of-Stake, Ethereum mining is no longer possible. However, alternatives like Ethereum Classic (ETC), Ravencoin (RVN), and Ergo (ERG) remain profitable for GPU and ASIC miners.
🔹 Ethereum Classic (ETC) – Best alternative to Ethereum mining.
🔹 Ravencoin (RVN) – Great for GPU mining.
🔹 Flux (FLUX) – A promising Web3 mining project.
As the crypto industry evolves, mining will continue to shift toward energy-efficient models and decentralized networks.
Final Thoughts: Should You Start Mining Ethereum Classic?
Even though Ethereum (ETH) mining has ended, Ethereum Classic (ETC) remains a great option for miners in 2025. If you have efficient mining hardware, low electricity costs, and the right strategy, mining can still be highly profitable.
📌 Key Takeaways:
✅ Ethereum Classic (ETC) still supports mining using GPU and ASIC machines.
✅ Mining pools like Ethermine and F2Pool help increase earnings.
✅ Using a crypto wallet ensures secure storage of your mining rewards.
✅ Check market trends and mining difficulty to stay profitable.
