What Is Bitcoin Mining?

Updated May 2026 · Based on live MiningBoard data

Network Hashrate

929.68 EH/s

Block Reward

3.1250 BTC

BTC Price

$78,717.00

Top Rig Profit

$17.17/d

How Bitcoin Mining Works

Bitcoin mining is the backbone of the Bitcoin network. Miners use powerful computers to solve complex mathematical puzzles (called proof-of-work). When a miner solves the puzzle first, they get to add a new block of transactions to the blockchain and receive a block reward — currently 3.1250 BTC per block.

New blocks are found approximately every 10 minutes. The network automatically adjusts the puzzle difficulty every 2,016 blocks (~2 weeks) to maintain this target. As more miners join, difficulty increases. As miners leave, it decreases.

What Hardware Do You Need?

Bitcoin uses the SHA-256 algorithm. In 2024+, only ASIC miners (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits) are viable. These are purpose-built machines designed solely for mining. GPU and CPU mining Bitcoin hasn't been profitable since ~2013.

The most profitable Bitcoin miner right now is the Bitmain Antminer S23 Hyd 3U, earning $17.17/day after electricity costs.

Browse Bitcoin miners → ROI Calculator →

Is Bitcoin Mining Profitable?

Profitability depends on three factors: hardware efficiency (how many hashes per watt), electricity cost (your $/kWh rate), and Bitcoin's price relative to mining difficulty.

At $0.05/kWh (industrial power), most modern ASICs are highly profitable. At $0.10/kWh (average residential), only the newest, most efficient machines break even. Above $0.15/kWh, mining is generally unprofitable with any hardware.

The Bitcoin Halving

Every 210,000 blocks (~4 years), the block reward is cut in half. The most recent halving was in April 2024, reducing the reward from 6.25 to 3.125 BTC. The next halving is expected around 2028. Halvings reduce miner income but have historically preceded major price increases.

Bitcoin Halving Countdown →

Mining Pools

Solo mining Bitcoin is impractical for most miners because the network hashrate is so high. Instead, miners join mining pools — groups that combine their hashrate and share the block rewards proportionally. Major Bitcoin pools include Foundry USA, AntPool, F2Pool, and ViaBTC.

Getting Started

1.Choose your hardware — Compare SHA-256 miners by profit, hashrate, and efficiency.

2.Calculate ROI — Use the mining calculator to check if it's profitable at your electricity rate.

3.Join a pool — Pick a reputable pool with low fees (1-2%) and reliable payouts.

4.Monitor profitability — Track your rig's performance on MiningBoard as difficulty and prices change.

FAQ

About Bitcoin mining

Qu'est-ce que le minage Bitcoin ?

Le minage Bitcoin est le processus d'utiliser des ordinateurs spécialisés (ASIC) pour valider les transactions sur le réseau Bitcoin. Les miners s'affrontent à résoudre des puzzles cryptographiques — le gagnant ajoute un nouveau bloc de transactions à la blockchain et reçoit une récompense de bloc en BTC.

Le minage Bitcoin est-il rentable en 2026 ?

Cela dépend de ton coût électrique et du matériel. À $0,05/kWh, les ASIC les plus efficaces gagnent $17+/jour de profit. À $0,15/kWh, la plupart ne sont pas rentables. Utilise notre calculatrice pour vérifier ta configuration.

Combien coûte miner 1 Bitcoin ?

Le coût pour miner 1 BTC dépend du hashrate du matériel et du tarif électrique. Avec un ASIC moderne à $0,05/kWh, cela coûte typiquement $15 000-$25 000 en électricité seule. Le coût total avec matériel peut aller de $20 000 à $40 000.

Quel matériel pour miner Bitcoin ?

Il te faut un miner ASIC (circuit intégré spécifique) utilisant l'algorithme SHA-256. Les modèles populaires incluent la série Bitmain Antminer S21. Miner Bitcoin avec GPU ou CPU n'est plus viable vu le hashrate énorme du réseau.