What are mining pools and how do they work? (2024)

A mining pool is when individual crypto miners join together and pool their resources in order to improve their chances of obtaining a block reward. Rewards for solving blocks are paid out according to how much processing power someone contributed to the pool. So the more processing power, the higher the chances of earning rewards.

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Why do miners join mining pools?

Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto envisioned a world in which everyone could participate in the mining process to secure the Bitcoin network and get freshly mined bitcoins as a reward. In reality, things played out a bit differently.

As the Bitcoin network grew, individuals had to invest more and more into their computing power to be able to actually get meaningful rewards from the process. Simultaneously, the type of hardware needed to mine became increasingly complicated and, consequently, hardware costs continued to rise for Bitcoin miners.

In 2010, a user in the BitcoinTalk forum with the username Slush realised that it would be a good idea to join forces with other miners and form a ‘pool’ to increase the chances of receiving block rewards. So, on November 27, 2010 he founded “Slush Pool”, which is run out of the Czech Republic.

The industry of Bitcoin mining

Over the years, Bitcoin mining has actually turned into its own industry. Today, it’s no longer possible to solve a Bitcoin block with a regular computer as the process requires special application-specific integrated circuits, also called ASIC units, specifically designed for the purpose of mining Bitcoin. But events such as Bitcoin halvings highly affect miner revenue and increase the significance of transaction fees.

What are mining pools and how do they work? (1)

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The chart above (source: blockchain.com, as of May 2023) shows the current balance of power across the Bitcoin mining space. About ten to fifteen mining pools run the vast majority of the network. Note that each of those pools usually consists of thousands of individual miners from across the world. The exact number of individual computers contributing to the network is hard to tell, but according to a recent estimate [August 2021], around 70,000 computers may be running Bitcoin mining software.

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What are mining pools and how do they work? (2)

It’s easy to see how the argument could be made that the Bitcoin network is not perfectly decentralised and to question whether true decentralisation is even possible. But as long as the distribution of hashing power is reasonable and individual pools remain well below running 51% of the network, this is good news. The network remains a fair playing field for all participants as long as decentralisation is sufficiently maintained.

DISCLAIMER

This article does not constitute investment advice, nor is it an offer or invitation to purchase any crypto assets.

This article is for general purposes of information only and no representation or warranty, either expressed or implied, is made as to, and no reliance should be placed on, the fairness, accuracy, completeness or correctness of this article or opinions contained herein.

Some statements contained in this article may be of future expectations that are based on our current views and assumptions and involve uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events which differ from those statements.

None of the Bitpanda GmbH nor any of its affiliates, advisors or representatives shall have any liability whatsoever arising in connection with this article.

Please note that an investment in crypto assets carries risks in addition to the opportunities described above.

What are mining pools and how do they work? (2024)

FAQs

What are mining pools and how do they work? ›

Cryptocurrency mining pools are groups of miners who share their computational resources. Mining pools utilize these combined resources to increase the chances of successfully mining for cryptocurrency. If the mining pool is successful and receives a reward, that reward is divided among participants.

What is a mining pool and how does it work? ›

A mining pool is when individual crypto miners join together and pool their resources in order to improve their chances of obtaining a block reward. Rewards for solving blocks are paid out according to how much processing power someone contributed to the pool.

What is mining and how does it work? ›

Mining is the process of extracting useful materials from the earth. Some examples of substances that are mined include coal, gold, or iron ore. Iron ore is the material from which the metal iron is produced.

Do mining pools make money? ›

After taking a small fee, the coordinator pays each member of the pool based on their hash rate contribution. For a small miner who has impossibly low chances of finding a block on their own, joining a mining pool will provide a steady stream of revenue.

How do you get into a mining pool? ›

Connecting to Mining Pools: A Step-by-Step Guide
  1. Obtain an ASIC Miner. Your first step is to get an ASIC miner suitable for the cryptocurrency you wish to mine. ...
  2. Decide the Mining Location. ...
  3. Plug in Your Miner. ...
  4. Create an Account. ...
  5. Configure Your Miner. ...
  6. Set Up a Wallet. ...
  7. Monitor Your Performance.
Sep 14, 2023

How do mineral pools work? ›

Unlike manually dosed chlorine, but similar to saltwater pools, a mineral pool system uses a blend of naturally sourced minerals to help disinfect your pool. These minerals – usually magnesium, potassium and sodium chloride – dissolve in the pool water before passing through a chlorinator.

How do mining pools distribute work? ›

Proportional mining pools are among the most common. In this type of pool, miners contributing to the pool's processing power send shares of work to the pool until the point at which the pool succeeds in finding a block. Miners then receive rewards proportional to the number of shares they submitted for that block.

How do mines work? ›

Characteristics and function. A conventional land mine consists of a casing that is mostly filled with the main charge. It has a firing mechanism such as a pressure plate; this triggers a detonator or igniter, which in turn sets off a booster charge.

How do mining operations work? ›

The mining industry operates through a sequence of stages: exploration, discovery, development, production and reclamation. All stages of this Mining Cycle provide direct economic stimulus.

Is mining good or bad? ›

Mining can cause erosion, sinkholes, loss of biodiversity, or the contamination of soil, groundwater, and surface water by chemicals emitted from mining processes. These processes also affect the atmosphere through carbon emissions which contributes to climate change.

Are mining pools safe? ›

Mining pools are not inherently bad for cryptocurrency, but they have become a concern because of the amount of energy used and the control and influence exerted by small groups of well-funded people.

What are the pros and cons of mining pools? ›

There are both advantages and disadvantages to joining a mining pool. Mining pools are cheaper, can provide stable income and faster processing, but at the same time, joining the wrong mining pool can lead to lower rewards, frauds, and hidden blocks. You must be careful when joining a mining pool.

What is most profitable mining pool? ›

Hiveon. The most profitable and efficient mining pool. You don't have to worry about finding a reliable ETH or ETC mining pool. Our PPS+ distribution mode guarantees high-profit payouts.

How much does it cost to join a mining pool? ›

Before deciding to join a particular pool, miners should pay attention to how each pool shares its payments among members and what fees, if any, it charges. Typically, pools may charge between 1% and 3% as pool fees.

Can you invest in a mining pool? ›

Yes, you can. However, joining a pool is a much more profitable way to mine Bitcoin, especially since its difficulty increases with every miner that joins the network. To be competitive, it's best to join a pool unless you have the resources to create your own or buy multiple state-of-the-art ASIC miners.

How do miners get paid? ›

Miners check each block, and, once they confirm it, they add it to the blockchain. For helping to keep the network secure, miners earn Bitcoin rewards as they add blocks. The rewards are paid using transaction fees and through the creation of new Bitcoin. However, there is a fixed maximum supply of 21 million Bitcoins.

Are mining pools legal? ›

As of 2024, cryptocurrency mining is legal in the United States, but being governed by a mix of federal and state regulations, it faces potential changes in taxation.

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