Before 2022, learning how to mine Ethereum was one of the most popular ways to earn crypto from home. Thousands of miners built rigs, installed mining software, and joined mining pools to generate ETH while helping secure the network. Then everything changed.
In September 2022, Ethereum completed a major upgrade known as The Merge, replacing Proof of Work (PoW) mining with Proof of Stake (PoS). Overnight, traditional Ethereum mining disappeared, and millions of miners had to look for alternatives.
This guide explains what happened, why ETH mining ended, the best mining options in 2026, and how to mine Ethereum Classic (ETC) step by step.
What is Ethereum Mining and How Does It Work?
Ethereum mining was the process by which computers competed to validate transactions and add new blocks to the Ethereum blockchain. Mining worked through a system known as Proof of Work (PoW). Computers around the world competed to solve mathematical puzzles. The first machine to solve the puzzle confirmed a block of transactions and earned newly created Ethereum.
The process required powerful computers known as Ethereum miners, along with specialized mining hardware such as graphics cards or ASIC machines. Miners also relied on mining software to connect their hardware to the Ethereum network.
For many people, mining alone wasn’t realistic. Solving blocks independently could take months or even years. That’s why most miners joined a mining pool. A pool allowed multiple miners to combine their computing power and share rewards.
Why You Can’t Mine Ethereum Anymore: How Proof-of-Stake Replaced It
On September 15, 2022, Ethereum permanently switched its consensus mechanism from Proof of Work (PoW) to Proof of Stake (PoS). This upgrade, known as “The Merge,” made Ethereum mining obsolete overnight.
Under PoS, there are no more mathematical puzzles to solve. Instead of miners competing with hardware, validators are chosen to add new blocks based on how much ETH they have locked up (staked) as collateral.
Best Alternatives to Ethereum Mining in 2026
Since you cannot mine Ethereum anymore, here are other most profitable coins to mine right now:
1. Ethereum Classic (ETC)
Ethereum Classic (ETC) is the original Ethereum chain that split from the main network. Miners who previously mined ETH can often mine ETC using similar mining hardware. ETC uses an algorithm called Etchash, which is closely related to the old Ethereum algorithm (Ethash), so most Ethereum GPU rigs can mine ETC with minimal changes.
2. Bitcoin (BTC)
Bitcoin remains the largest and most well-known mineable cryptocurrency. However, mining BTC today requires specialized machines called ASIC miners rather than standard graphics cards. These devices are extremely powerful but also expensive and energy-intensive.
3. Litecoin (LTC)
Litecoin is minable with ASIC hardware, though the ASICs used differ from those for ETC. Moreover, Litecoin also has faster block times (2.5 minutes compared to Bitcoin’s 10 minutes), meaning transactions confirm more quickly.
4. Monero (XMR)
Monero focuses heavily on privacy and anonymity. Many people mine Monero using standard desktop processors rather than specialized ASICs. That approach helps keep mining decentralized and accessible to individuals.
How to Mine Ethereum Classic (ETC): Step-by-Step
Follow these steps to mine ETC:
Step 1: Set Up Your Mining Hardware
Most ETC miners use graphics processing units (GPUs). These powerful graphics cards can perform the repetitive calculations required for mining. Some professional miners operate entire rigs containing multiple graphics cards running simultaneously.
Step 2: Choose and Install Mining Software
Mining software is the program that connects your hardware to the blockchain and handles the actual mining process. For GPU mining ETC, the two most popular and reliable options are TeamRedMiner (best for AMD graphics cards) and lolMiner (works well with both AMD and Nvidia cards).
For ASIC miners, the firmware comes pre-installed from the manufacturer and usually only requires entering your pool details. Download your chosen software only from the official project website or a verified GitHub repository.
Step 3: Create a Crypto Wallet
You need a crypto wallet address to receive your mining rewards. For ETC, MetaMask is widely used and easy to set up. Hardware crypto wallets such as Ledger also support ETC and offer stronger security for larger holdings. Whatever wallet you choose, write down your recovery phrase and store it in a safe, offline location.
Step 4: Join a Mining Pool
Mining independently can take a long time to produce results. Joining a mining pool combines computing power from thousands of miners. When the pool successfully mines a block, the reward is shared among all participants based on their contribution. Popular ETC mining pools include 2Miners, HeroMiners, F2Pool, and Kryptex Pool.
Step 5: Configure Your Mining Software
After selecting a pool, you’ll need to configure your mining software which involves entering:
- Your wallet address
- The mining pool server address
- Your hardware settings
Most mining programs use simple configuration files where these details are entered once before mining begins.
Step 6: Start Mining and Monitor Performance
Once everything is configured, your Ethereum miners (GPUs or ASICs) will begin processing calculations continuously. The mining software will show statistics such as:
- Hash rate (mining speed)
- Temperature of hardware
- Accepted or rejected shares
- Estimated earnings
Monitoring performance helps ensure your system runs efficiently and avoids overheating.
What Do You Need to Mine ETC?
Mining ETC requires several essential components.
1. Mining Hardware
The most important element is the hardware that performs the calculations. These are the ASIC and GPU miners.
ASIC Miners
ASIC machines are specialized devices designed exclusively for mining. They offer extremely high performance but come with higher upfront costs. ASIC miners are commonly used for Bitcoin and other established cryptocurrencies.
GPU Miners
GPU mining remains popular for ETC and other altcoins. Graphics cards provide flexibility because they can mine different cryptocurrencies depending on market conditions. Many hobby miners prefer GPUs for that reason.
2. Mining Software
Mining software acts as the bridge between your hardware and the blockchain network. Without software, the hardware would not know what calculations to perform or where to send completed results.
TeamRedMiner and lolMiner are the leading software options for GPU miners. Both are free to download, with a small developer fee (typically 1-2%) automatically deducted from earnings. For ASIC miners, the manufacturer’s pre-installed firmware handles the software side.
3. Crypto Wallet
A crypto wallet is required to receive mining rewards. MetaMask (configured for the ETC network) is the most beginner-friendly wallet option. For larger holdings or long-term storage, a Ledger or Trezor hardware wallet adds a meaningful layer of security.
4. Stable Internet Connection
Mining does not require a fast internet connection, as the data exchanged between your miner and the pool is minimal. However, it does need to be stable and uninterrupted. Frequent disconnections mean lost work and reduced earnings. A wired Ethernet connection is strongly preferable to Wi-Fi for a machine running 24 hours a day.
5. Mining Pool (Optional)
A mining pool isn’t strictly required, but most miners rely on one. Pools reduce reward variability and provide a steady stream of smaller payouts instead of rare large rewards. Mining solo is only realistic if you control a very large amount of hashrate.
Is Mining Ethereum Classic Profitable in 2026?
Profitability depends on several factors:
- Electricity costs remain the biggest expense for miners. High electricity prices can quickly erase potential profits.
- Hardware efficiency also matters. Newer GPUs and ASIC miners generate more computing power while using less electricity.
- Another major factor is cryptocurrency prices. If ETC prices rise, mining rewards become more valuable. If prices fall, profits shrink.
- Difficulty levels also adjust automatically based on the number of miners participating in the network. More miners increase competition and reduce individual rewards.
Because of these variables, mining profitability can change frequently.
Is Ethereum Mining Legal?
Ethereum mining is legal in most countries. Many countries treat cryptocurrency mining as a legal private activity, similar to running any other computing workload. Even so, a small number of countries have restricted or banned crypto mining, including China (since 2021), Kosovo, and a few others, where power grid concerns have driven restrictions.
Should You Mine or Stake Ethereum?
Since Ethereum no longer supports mining, anyone who wants to earn ETH must rely on staking Ethereum instead. Staking requires locking up ETH in the network to help validate transactions.
Mining and staking differ in the following ways:
- Mining requires expensive mining hardware, electricity, and ongoing maintenance. Staking only requires holding ETH and participating in the validation system.
- Mining rewards depend on computing power, while staking rewards depend on the amount of ETH locked in the network.
For investors who already own ETH, staking can provide a relatively simple way to earn passive rewards.
Conclusion
For years, learning how to mine Ethereum was a popular entry point into cryptocurrency. Individuals could run mining rigs at home and earn ETH while supporting the network. That era ended when Ethereum switched from PoW to PoS in 2022.
Today, ETH is created through staking Ethereum, not traditional mining. However, mining itself remains alive and well across other cryptocurrencies. Networks like ETC, LTC, and BTC still allow miners to contribute computing power and earn rewards. If you’re interested in ETH mining, you should carefully evaluate hardware costs, electricity prices, and market conditions before starting.
FAQs
No. Ethereum switched from PoW to PoS in 2022, which eliminated traditional ethereum mining. New ETH is now created through staking Ethereum, where users lock up their coins to validate transactions.
The time required depends on your mining power and whether you join a mining pool. Solo mining could take a very long time, while pool mining distributes smaller rewards regularly based on your share of computing power.
Many former Ethereum miners switched to ETC because it uses similar algorithms and compatible mining hardware. Other options include Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Monero.
GPU mining can still be profitable for certain cryptocurrencies, especially networks designed to remain accessible to individuals. Profitability depends on electricity costs, hardware efficiency, and market prices.
The most profitable coins to mine in 2026 are Bitcoin (BTC), Litecoin (LTC), and Monero (XMR) for many miners, largely due to their established networks and consistent demand. However, profitability still depends on factors such as electricity costs, mining difficulty, and the efficiency of your mining hardware.
No. Even when Ethereum supported mining, smartphones were far too weak to compete with dedicated ethereum miners and specialized mining hardware. After the switch to Proof of Stake, ETH mining is no longer possible on any device.
