What is Bitcoin Mining?
In recent years, with the price of Bitcoin breaking historical highs and more large institutions incorporating Bitcoin into their asset reserves, coupled with the potential for a more favorable attitude towards the cryptocurrency industry in the United States and the implementation of the EU MiCA regulations providing a clearer regulatory framework, Bitcoin has once again become a hot topic.
Many people can’t help but wonder: how is Bitcoin “created”?
Bitcoin mining, simply put, is the process of verifying transactions and recording them in a public ledger (the blockchain).
Imagine the Bitcoin network as a public ledger where every transaction needs someone to verify its authenticity and write it into the ledger. The individuals performing this task are called “miners.”
Miners use specialized computers (typically high-performance hardware known as ASICs) to perform extremely complex mathematical calculations, akin to solving a very difficult math problem. The first miner to successfully solve the problem is granted the right to “package” the recent transactions into a new “block” and add it to the end of the blockchain.
Why Mine?
Verification and Security: This process ensures that every transaction is valid and has not been double-spent, protecting the security and trust of the entire network.
Generating New Coins: As a reward for their computational contributions, miners who successfully package a block receive a certain amount of newly minted Bitcoin (known as the “block reward”) as well as the transaction fees from all transactions within that block.
Therefore, mining is not only a way to issue new Bitcoins but also a key mechanism to maintain the normal operation and security of the Bitcoin network.
Can You Still Mine with a Laptop?
From 2021 to 2025, the revenue of the Bitcoin mining industry has grown by over 6700%, showcasing its astounding development.
In the initial years after Bitcoin’s launch (around 2009-2010), the total computing power of the network was very low, and the mining difficulty was relatively small. At that time, it was possible to successfully mine Bitcoin blocks and earn rewards using a regular personal computer CPU or even a laptop, and many early participants started this way.
However, the situation has completely changed by now (2025). The current difficulty level is astronomical for laptops, and the probability of successfully mining a Bitcoin block with a laptop approaches zero, potentially requiring millions of years or more. Even if mining software were to run on a laptop, it would consume a large amount of power, and continuous high-load operation could damage the hardware (such as overheating the CPU or GPU). Considering the almost impossible chance of obtaining any Bitcoin rewards, this is completely not worth it.
While it is technically still possible to install and run Bitcoin mining software on a laptop, it is practically impossible to mine any Bitcoin this way. It’s like trying to compete with a large excavator using a small shovel to dig a mountain of gold—there is no chance of success, and it would waste power and wear out one’s equipment.
So, does that mean mining is no longer feasible?
Not necessarily; there are still several relatively viable ways to mine in 2025.
Method 1: Lottery Mining – Low Power, High Risk, Rare Rewards
If you have a limited budget but still want to experience the thrill of mining, “lottery mining” offers a fun (yet extremely unpredictable) option.
Lottery mining typically uses small, low-power devices. The computing power of these devices is almost negligible compared to the entire Bitcoin network, so the chances of independently mining a block are extremely low, similar to buying a lottery ticket.
However, miracles can occasionally happen. For example, in July 2024, a miner successfully mined a complete Bitcoin block with just 3 TH/s of computing power, earning a reward worth over $200,000 at the time.
Currently (early 2025), the total computing power of the Bitcoin network is approximately 500 EH/s (ExaHash per second). 3 TH/s accounts for about 0.0000006% of the global total computing power, a very tiny fraction.
Why do some choose lottery mining?
- Supporting the Network: Running independent nodes helps the health and resilience of the Bitcoin network.
- Learning Experience: It’s a good way to understand the principles of mining.
- Potential High Returns: Once successful, the entire block reward (currently over 3 BTC) belongs to the individual (less a small platform fee, such as Solo CKPool).
For most people, this is more of a challenge and curiosity-driven hobby rather than a stable way to make money.
Further Reading: A monthly electricity bill of five dollars, with a ten-minute prize draw! How does a palm-sized “lottery miner” manage to mine wherever it goes?
Method 2: Solo Mining with Real Hardware – Using Professional Hardware Alone
If lottery mining is like buying a single lottery ticket, then using ASIC for solo mining is like having a small stack of lottery tickets. The chances are slightly improved, but the odds of winning remain slim.
ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) is high-performance hardware specifically designed for Bitcoin mining. In 2025, high-end models can achieve computing power of around 400 TH/s, with energy efficiency improved compared to earlier models.
However, even with such powerful machines, the share of computing power from a high-end model is still very low compared to the current total computing power of the Bitcoin network, which is about 500 EH/s (Exahashes per second) (approximately 0.00008%). Theoretically, successfully mining a block each day is still extremely difficult.
Therefore, if one wants to significantly increase their chances, a substantial investment in multiple ASICs (for example, 20 units or more) is needed, which may yield one block in a year, alongside addressing heat dissipation, noise, and stable power supply issues. Even so, mining inherently remains random.
The appeal of solo mining lies in the fact that if one successfully mines a block, they will receive all rewards (block reward + transaction fees) without sharing with anyone. But for most people, this is still a high-risk method with uncertain returns.
Method 3: Pool Mining – Strength in Unity
Compared to the slim chances of solo mining, joining a “mining pool” is a more practical option and is the method many home miners are adopting in 2025.
Mining pools aggregate the computing power of thousands of miners. When the pool successfully mines a block, the rewards are distributed according to the proportion of computing power each miner contributed. This means that this method does not pursue the extremely low probability of winning alone but can yield smaller yet steady returns.
By connecting computing power to the pool, miners can receive rewards based on their contribution ratio, often seeing stable daily income.
Currently, large mining pools such as Foundry USA, Antpool, ViaBTC, and F2Pool handle thousands of blocks each month. Many pools offer FPPS (Full Pay Per Share) models, where rewards are paid based on submitted valid “shares,” regardless of whether the pool mined a block that day.
There is also the PPLNS (Pay Per Last N Shares) model, which only distributes rewards when the pool mines a block, but may offer slightly higher returns in the long run.
The setup process is actually not too difficult:
- Register an account with the chosen mining pool.
- Point the ASIC miner to the server address provided by the pool.
- Set the Bitcoin receiving address.
- Monitor computing power contributions and earnings through the pool’s dashboard.
Though individual earnings may not be high, the stability and reliability are what many miners aim for.
Method 4: Cloud Mining – Mining Without Physical Hardware
Cloud mining allows users to rent computing power from remote service providers, who manage the hardware, handle heat dissipation, noise, and power issues. Users simply purchase contracts and theoretically receive mining rewards according to the rented computing power.
While it sounds convenient, cloud mining comes with significant risks and controversies.
After all, this field has not yet been adequately regulated, filled with dubious operators, unrealistic return promises, and even scams. Many contracts, after deducting service fees, maintenance fees, and considering the continuously rising mining difficulty, often fail to generate profits.
Users are essentially entrusting their funds to a third party whose actual hardware they will never see.
Nevertheless, there are still a few reputable platforms in the market that offer relatively transparent and flexible options. However, even with these platforms, profit margins are often thin, especially during bear markets or periods of soaring global computing power.
Cloud mining may be suitable in the following situations:
- High electricity costs or lack of space for equipment.
- Looking to engage in mining with the lowest entry barrier.
- Viewing it as a speculative investment rather than a stable income source.
However, if an individual’s goal is to pursue stable returns or to have a sense of “participation in the cryptocurrency space,” then operating equipment independently or directly purchasing and holding Bitcoin may be a wiser choice.
Reference: cointelegraph