10 Best Cryptos to Mine in December 2025

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If you want to earn crypto by mining, you must know that some coins are much better for mining than others. While Bitcoin mining is now mostly done by big companies, there are still great options for regular miners. We’ll show you the best cryptos to mine this year, including coins that use less power, pay good rewards, and work well with home mining setups.

Read on, we discuss 10 crypto assets to consider mining today. We’ll compare GPU mining coins and CPU mineable coins based on profitability, difficulty, required equipment, and other important metrics.

Table of Contents
  1. In This Article
    1. 1. Bitcoin (BTC) - Overall Best Crypto to Mine in 2025
    2. 2. Monero (XMR) - Easiest Crypto to Mine
    3. 3. Dogecoin (DOGE) - Most Profitable Coin to Mine
    4. 4. Bitcoin Gold (BTG) - Best Crypto to Mine with GPU
    5. 5. Zcash (ZEC) - Great Option for Privacy-Focused Miners
    6. 6. Litecoin (LTC) - Established PoW Coin With Plenty of Liquidity
    7. 7. Ravencoin (RVN) - KawPow Mining Coin With ASIC-Resistance
    8. 8. Vertcoin (VTC) - One-Click Mining Software for Beginners
    9. 9. Electroneum (ETN) - Mine ETN Coins on a Smartphone Device
    10. 10. Ethereum Classic (ETC) - GPU-Supported Ethash Mining
    1. The Easiest Cryptos to Mine Now (Low Barrier to Entry)
    1. 🏊 Pool Mining: Easiest Way to Mine Crypto
    2. 🏆 ASICs: Best Way to Mine Crypto
    3. 🖥️ CPUs and GPUs: Most Convenient But Limited
    1. Barrier to Entry
    2. Cryptojacking
    3. Financial Risk
    4. Competition
    5. Regulatory Risk
    1. Mining Profitability (20%)
    2. Low Mining Difficulty and High Rewards (20%)
    3. Coin Credibility and Development (15%)
    4. Network Hash Rate and Competition (20%)
    5. Cost of Required Hardware and Operation (15%)
    6. Staking and Passive Income (10%)
  1. In This Article
    1. 1. Bitcoin (BTC) - Overall Best Crypto to Mine in 2025
    2. 2. Monero (XMR) - Easiest Crypto to Mine
    3. 3. Dogecoin (DOGE) - Most Profitable Coin to Mine
    4. 4. Bitcoin Gold (BTG) - Best Crypto to Mine with GPU
    5. 5. Zcash (ZEC) - Great Option for Privacy-Focused Miners
    6. 6. Litecoin (LTC) - Established PoW Coin With Plenty of Liquidity
    7. 7. Ravencoin (RVN) - KawPow Mining Coin With ASIC-Resistance
    8. 8. Vertcoin (VTC) - One-Click Mining Software for Beginners
    9. 9. Electroneum (ETN) - Mine ETN Coins on a Smartphone Device
    10. 10. Ethereum Classic (ETC) - GPU-Supported Ethash Mining
    1. The Easiest Cryptos to Mine Now (Low Barrier to Entry)
  2. Show Full Guide
    1. 🏊 Pool Mining: Easiest Way to Mine Crypto
    2. 🏆 ASICs: Best Way to Mine Crypto
    3. 🖥️ CPUs and GPUs: Most Convenient But Limited
    1. Barrier to Entry
    2. Cryptojacking
    3. Financial Risk
    4. Competition
    5. Regulatory Risk
    1. Mining Profitability (20%)
    2. Low Mining Difficulty and High Rewards (20%)
    3. Coin Credibility and Development (15%)
    4. Network Hash Rate and Competition (20%)
    5. Cost of Required Hardware and Operation (15%)
    6. Staking and Passive Income (10%)

The Best Cryptocurrencies to Mine in 2025


During our research for the easiest cryptocurrencies to mine, we focused on coins that are profitable, easy to mine, credible, and launched. We trimmed the list to the following low difficulty coins to mine. The table includes the mining algorithm, hardware required, current block reward, average block time, and hardware cost to help you identify the most profitable cryptos to mine.

Crypto Mining Algorithm Hardware Required (ASIC vs GPU) Current Block Reward Average Block Time Hardware Cost
Bitcoin (BTC) Proof-of-Work (SHA-256) ASIC 3.125 BTC 10 minutes $3,000 – $6,000+
Monero (XMR) Proof-of-Work (RandomX) CPUs or GPUs (ASIC-resistant) 0.6 XMR 2 minutes $500 – $1,500
Dogecoin (DOGE) Proof-of-Work (Scrypt) GPUs 10,000 DOGE 1 minute $10,000 – $15,000
Bitcoin Gold (BTG) Proof-of-Work (Equihash) GPUs 3.125 BTG 10 minutes $1,000 – $3,000
Zcash (ZEC) Proof-of-Work (Equihash) GPUs or ASICs 1.25 ZEC 75 seconds $1,000 – $3,000
Litecoin (LTC) Proof-of-Work (Scrypt) GPUs or ASICs 6.25 LTC 2.5 minutes $10,000 – $15,000
Ravencoin (RVN) Proof-of-Work (KawPow) GPUs 2,500 RVN 1 minute $1,000 – $3,000
Vertcoin (VTC) Proof-of-Work (Lyra2R3v3) CPUs or GPUs 12.5 VTC 2.5 minutes $1,000 – $3,000
Electroneum (ETN) Proof-of-Responsibility Smartphone Variable 2 minutes Minimal ($100+)
Ethereum Classic (ETC) Proof-of-Work (Ethash) GPUs 1.98 ETC 15 seconds $1,000 – $3,000

ℹ️The data in this table is revised weekly.

The Best Cryptocurrencies to Mine – In-Depth Guide


We’ll now take a closer look at the best cryptocurrencies to mine, including low difficulty coins, their mining rewards and algorithms, the required devices for mining, average block times, estimated profitability, and more.

1. Bitcoin (BTC) – Overall Best Crypto to Mine in 2025

  • Mining Algorithm: Proof-of-Work (SHA-256)
  • Mining Rewards: 3.125 BTC/Block
  • Required Devices: ASICs
  • Average Block Time: 10 minutes

Although Bitcoin (BTC) is the most difficult crypto to mine, it still takes our number one spot. After all, Bitcoin is one of the best cryptocurrency to buy. It has the most holders and the largest market capitalization. Therefore, mining Bitcoin is worth exploring – if you have the financial means.

Bitcoin (BTC)
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To mine Bitcoin at home, you must have a good Bitcoin mining rig. You’ll need some powerful Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). These are a minimum requirement to mine Bitcoin in 2025. Expect to pay several thousand dollars for the most efficient models. You’ll also need some cooling devices; ASICs generate significant amounts of heat.

Due to its proof-of-work mechanism, Bitcoin mining is also energy-intensive. This means you’ll need to dedicate vast sums to energy consumption. If you don’t have the financial means, you can share your resources with other miners. In turn, this will give you the best chance possible of earning Bitcoin mining rewards.

How Profitable is Bitcoin to Mine?
  • Industrial Bitcoin mining remains viable with very cheap electricity.
  • Individual miners face costs of $20,000-$35,000 per Bitcoin.
  • Home miners achieve better returns via pools or alternative coins.
  • Use a profitability calculator to check your mining efficiency.

2. Monero (XMR) – Easiest Crypto to Mine

  • Mining Algorithm: Proof-of-Work (RandomX)
  • Mining Rewards: 0.6 XMR/Block
  • Required Devices: CPUs
  • Average Block Time: 2 minutes

Consider Monero (XMR) if you’re looking for the easiest crypto to mine. Launched in 2014, Monero is one of the earliest altcoin to mine that entered the market. Its unique selling point is privacy. Unlike Bitcoin, Monero transactions are 100% anonymous. What’s more, the Monero blockchain is trustless, decentralized, and cost-effective.

Monero (XMR)
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Monero leverages the proof-of-work consensus mechanism. However, it uses a variation known as RandomX. Put simply, RandomX ensures that everyone has a fair chance of mining. It specifically discourages the use of expensive, energy-intensive ASIC devices.

As a result, Monero can be mined with Central Processing Unit (CPUs). Put otherwise, you can mine Monero without needing to buy any equipment. On the contrary, you can use the CPU stored within your desktop device. A new Monero block is mined every 2 minutes. The mining reward is currently at 0.6 XMR.

How Profitable is Monero to Mine?
  • Monero mining is accessible for individuals using modern CPUs.
  • Profits range from $0.50-1.50 daily with cheap electricity.
  • Its algorithm resists ASICs, promoting decentralized mining.
  • Pool mining provides steady, predictable payouts without halving events.

3. Dogecoin (DOGE) – Most Profitable Coin to Mine

  • Mining Algorithm: Proof-of-Work (Scrypt)
  • Mining Rewards: 10,000 DOGE/Block
  • Required Devices: GPUs
  • Average Block Time: 1 minute

Some experts claim that Dogecoin (DOGE) is the most profitable crypto to mine due to factors such as lower GPU requirements and tiny network transaction fees. Moreover, Dogecoin’s legendary status as a meme coin suggests that its price has good future potential.

Dogecoin (DOGE)
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More specifically, Dogecoin uses a branch of proof-of-work called Scrypt. Not only is Scrypt energy efficient, but it’s considerably faster than SHA-256. Dogecoin transactions take just 1 minute to confirm. In contrast, Bitcoin’s SHA-256 structure is 10 times slower.

What’s more, you can even mine Dogecoin with a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). These are the cheapest alternatives to ASICs, often costing under $100. The Dogecoin block reward is 10,000 DOGE. Based on current Dogecoin prices, that’s worth about $1,600.

How Profitable is Dogecoin to Mine?
  • Dogecoin mining requires specialized ASIC miners for profitability.
  • Daily earnings of $3-7 are possible with cheap electricity.
  • Low DOGE prices and high competition challenge GPU miners.
  • Pool mining stabilizes earnings but depends on market prices.

4. Bitcoin Gold (BTG) – Best Crypto to Mine with GPU

  • Mining Algorithm: Proof-of-Work (Equihash)
  • Mining Rewards: 3.125 BTG/Block
  • Required Devices: GPUs
  • Average Block Time: 10 minutes

We found that Bitcoin Gold (BTG) is also the best crypto to mine with a GPU. In fact, Bitcoin Gold was created specifically for this purpose. Launched in 2017, Bitcoin Gold is an offshoot of the original Bitcoin. It created a hard form of Bitcoin’s code but without the original SHA-25 mechanism.

bitcoin gold mining in 2025

Instead, Bitcoin Gold opted for the Equihash function. In a nutshell, Equihash is ASIC-resistant. This helps Bitcoin Gold achieve its goal of democratizing Bitcoin. As such, anyone can mine Bitcoin Gold with a basic GPU. Moreover, the Equihash mining process is a lot more energy efficient. This means you won’t be hit with huge electricity bills.

Similar to Bitcoin, the Bitcoin Gold block confirmation time is approximately 10 minutes. The block reward is currently at 3.125 BTG. This was reduced by 50% on the previous Bitcoin halving event on April 24, 2024.

How Profitable is Bitcoin Gold to Mine?
  • Bitcoin Gold is designed for GPU mining, not ASICs.
  • Profitability is modest and requires powerful graphics cards.
  • Earnings remain slim due to the coin’s low price.
  • It only works with very cheap electricity or mining pools.

5. Zcash (ZEC) – Great Option for Privacy-Focused Miners

  • Mining Algorithm: Proof-of-Work (Equihash)
  • Mining Rewards: 3.125 ZEC/Block
  • Required Devices: GPUs or ASICs
  • Average Block Time: 75 seconds

Zcash (ZEC) is an established cryptocurrency that was launched in 2016. Similar to Monero, it’s considered one of the best altcoins for privacy. It enables users to send and receive funds in complete anonymity. Unlike other blockchains, transactions aren’t tied to a public wallet address.

Zcash (ZEC)
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Although Zcash is loosely based on the original Bitcoin code, it leverages the Equihash consensus mechanism. This makes it a lot easier to mine. The most effective way of mining Zcash is with an ASIC device. This will help you outperform miners with GPU setups. You won’t need an entire farm of ASICs like you do when mining Bitcoin.

This makes Zcash one of the cheapest alternatives. Zcash is also the best crypto to mine if you want to retain your privacy. Any mining rewards you earn aren’t associated with your real-world identity. Zcash is currently valued at over $6.99B. ZEC is up over the past year.

How Profitable is Zcash to Mine?
  • Zcash mining still supports GPU rigs, though ASICs are emerging.
  • Block rewards were halved to 1.25 ZEC in late 2024.
  • Profitability now requires highly optimized mining setups.
  • Pool mining with low fees is essential for earnings.

6. Litecoin (LTC) – Established PoW Coin With Plenty of Liquidity

  • Mining Algorithm: Proof-of-Work (Scrypt)
  • Mining Rewards: 6.25 LTC/Block
  • Required Devices: GPUs or ASICs
  • Average Block Time: 2.5 minutes

Litecoin (LTC) is one of the best cryptocurrencies to mine for stability. Created in 2011, Litecoin was originally referred to as the silver to Bitcoin’s gold. While Litecoin isn’t as valuable as it once was, it’s still a respected crypto project, and a lot of people buy Litecoin as an investment. After all, it commands a market capitalization of $5.88B.

Litecoin (LTC)
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In addition, Litecoin attracts solid liquidity levels. This makes Litecoin ideal for miners who want to cash their rewards out immediately. In terms of specifics, Litecoin uses the Scrypt consensus mechanism.

This sits within the proof-of-work framework. The average block confirmation time is 2.5 minutes, making Litecoin four times faster than Bitcoin. The block mining reward is currently 6.25 LTC. This is halved every four years but on a different schedule than Bitcoin. Although GPU mining is possible, Litecoin is best mined with ASICs.

How Profitable is Litecoin to Mine?
  • Litecoin mining requires efficient ASIC miners like the Antminer L7.
  • It is only viable with electricity under $0.08/kWh.
  • Daily earnings range from $5-10 after accounting for power costs.
  • High mining difficulty makes it unprofitable for most small-scale operations.

7. Ravencoin (RVN) – KawPow Mining Coin With ASIC-Resistance

  • Mining Algorithm: Proof-of-Work (KawPow)
  • Mining Rewards: 2,500 RVN/Block
  • Required Devices: GPUs
  • Average Block Time: 1 minute

Launched in 2018, Ravencoin (RVN) is an established blockchain network. It was created as a fork from the original Bitcoin network but with some clear improvements. For instance, it leverages a proof-of-work mechanism called KawPow. Not only is KawPow more efficient than SHA-256, but it’s resistant to ASICs.

ravencoin mining in 2025

This means Ravencoin mining can’t be dominated by centralized mining pools. Instead, anyone can use a GPU mining rig, which is simple and affordable to set up. Ravencoin has a fast block confirmation time of just 1 minute. What’s more, the block mining reward is 2,500 RVN.

Based on current Ravencoin prices, that’s about $25. This translates to about $1,500 per hour. Or $36,000 per day, before you factor in pool fees, rising network difficulty, and electricity costs, which can quickly reduce real-world mining profits and make earnings far more unpredictable.

How Profitable is Ravencoin to Mine?
  • Ravencoin’s ASIC-resistant algorithm is designed for GPU mining.
  • Most GPU operations are unprofitable with electricity over $0.08/kWh.
  • Daily profits often fall below $1 at current RVN prices.
  • Mining is only viable with free power or at an industrial scale.

8. Vertcoin (VTC) – One-Click Mining Software for Beginners

  • Mining Algorithm: Proof-of-Work (Lyra2REv3)
  • Mining Rewards: 12.5 VTC/Block
  • Required Devices: CPUs and GPUs
  • Average Block Time: 2.5 minutes

Vertcoin (VTC) is the best crypto to mine for beginners. This crypto project was launched in early 2014. Like many new projects during this period, Vertcoin was created to improve Bitcoin’s deficiencies. More specifically, Vertcoin ensures that anyone can mine VTC coins from the comforts of home.

vertcoin mining in 2025

All you need is a basic desktop device. Both CPUs and GPUs are compatible. Best of all, Vertcoin offers one of the easiest set-up processes. First, download the native Vertcoin mining software for your operating system. Then, simply click the ‘Start Mining’ button. And that’s it, your desktop device will begin mining VTC around the clock.

Crucially, Vertcoin is ASIC-resistant. This ensures that everyone has a fair chance of mining a block, rather than those with the greatest resources. Vertcoin offers a block reward of 12.5 VTC. A new block is mined every 2.5 minutes. Vetcoin uses the Lyra2REv3 mining mechanism, which is an offshoot of proof-of-work.

How Profitable is Vertcoin to Mine?
  • Vertcoin mining is generally unprofitable for typical GPU users.
  • Operations lose money if electricity costs exceed $0.05/kWh.
  • Low coin price and high difficulty prevent breaking even.
  • Its ASIC-resistant algorithm cannot overcome poor economics.

9. Electroneum (ETN) – Mine ETN Coins on a Smartphone Device

  • Mining Algorithm: Proof-of-Responsibility
  • Mining Rewards: Variable/Block
  • Required Devices: Smartphone
  • Average Block Time: 2 minutes

If you’re looking to mine on a smartphone device, Electroneum (ETN) could be the best crypto to mine. This crypto project was launched in 2017 after raising $40 million in ICO funding. At the time, this made Electroneum one of the best crypto ICOs to invest in. Electroneum aims to help the unbanked with fast and cheap global transactions.

Electroneum mining in 2025

It also revolutionized the crypto mining space; Electroneum enables users to mine ETN coins on a smartphone device. It has developed a proprietary app for this purpose. The Electroneum app can be downloaded for free from Google Play and the App Store. Simply activate the app to begin mining.

A new Electroneum block is mined approximately every 2 minutes. However, this can vary depending on how busy the network is. In addition, Electroneum mining rewards are not fixed like other blockchain standards. The specific reward depends on how much input each miner contributes. This is due to the proof-of-responsibility mining model.

How Profitable is Electroneum to Mine?
  • Electroneum mining is unprofitable for most GPU setups.
  • Its low price yields only cents per day.
  • Mobile mining exists but offers minimal earnings.
  • Only hobbyists with free power might break even.

10. Ethereum Classic (ETC) – GPU-Supported Ethash Mining

  • Mining Algorithm: Proof-of-Work (Ethash)
  • Mining Rewards: 1.98 ETC/Block
  • Required Devices: GPUs
  • Average Block Time: 15 seconds

Ethereum Classic (ETC) is the final option on this list of cryptocurrencies to mine. Ethereum Classic split from the original Ethereum in 2015. Citing ‘Code is Law’, this is because the original Ethereum blockchain reversed a series of transactions. This was linked to a large-scale hack of Ethereum’s decentralized autonomous organization (DAO).

Ethereum Classic (ETC)
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Just like the original Ethereum, Ethereum Classic supports smart contracts and dApps. While Ethereum has since merged to proof-of-stake and can no longer be mined, Ethereum Classic remains in the Ethash mining mechanism. This is a more efficient and scalable branch than SHA-256. Ethereum Classic is a large-cap crypto, currently valued at over $1.88B.

That said, Ethereum Classic can still be mined with GPUs because the Ethash function is ASIC-resistant. Ethereum Classic has an average block confirmation time of 15 seconds. Each mined block pays 1.98. The mining reward is reduced by 20% every 5 million blocks.

How Profitable is Ethereum Classic to Mine?
  • Ethereum Classic mining supports GPUs like the RTX 3060 Ti.
  • Daily earnings of $2-4 are possible with cheap power.
  • Profitability depends heavily on the ETC price and electricity costs.
  • Mining pools stabilize earnings, but ROI is often slow.

Is Crypto Mining Still Profitable in 2025?


Crypto mining can still be profitable in 2025, but not for the majority of miners. Your success largely depends on two things: low costs and mining profitable blocks. Without these, your operation will lose money.

Large-scale miners dominate Bitcoin, while solo miners find better opportunities with altcoins like Monero or Ethereum Classic. For smaller setups, joining a mining pool is almost necessary to achieve any return. Ultimately, mining now operates more like a professional business than a hobby.

The Easiest Cryptos to Mine Now (Low Barrier to Entry)

A coin has a low entry barrier if you can mine it on normal hardware (CPU or basic GPU), use free, simple software, and still clear a small profit after electricity. ASIC resistance and straightforward setup are the main things to look for.

  1. Monero (XMR)
  2. Vertcoin (VTC)
  3. Ravencoin (RVN)
  4. Kaspa (KAS)
  5. Zcash (ZEC)

The reason why Monero is listed first is that RandomX allows individuals to mine using ordinary laptops and desktops using basic tools such as XMRig. Vertcoin has been positioned second due to its one-click miner on a basic PC. Ravencoin and Kaspa require a midrange mechanical, but they can still be mined at home. Zcash can also be used on GPUs, but it normally requires a little more tuning and energy.

What is the Most Profitable Crypto to Mine?

For those looking to maximize mining profitability, Bitcoin (BTC) and Litecoin (LTC) remain top choices for their strong market value and substantial block rewards, especially for those with access to advanced ASIC hardware.

Meanwhile, Monero (XMR) and Ravencoin (RVN) offer profitable options for GPU and CPU miners due to their user-friendly algorithms and accessibility on consumer-grade hardware.

Choosing the right coin ultimately depends on hardware type, electricity costs, and current market trends, allowing miners to tailor their setup for optimal gains.

What is the Best Way to Mine Crypto?


The best way to mine crypto is with ASICS, mining pools, CPUs, or GPUs.

There are several different ways to mine crypto. The best option will depend on your available resources. Let’s take a closer look at the best ways to mine in 2025.

🏊 Pool Mining: Easiest Way to Mine Crypto

The easiest way to mine crypto is via a ‘mining pool,’ especially if you’re a beginner. Put simply, you’ll be combining your resources with other miners. Collectively, this gives you a better chance of winning mining rewards. This is because you’re pooling your computational power.

Any mining rewards you earn will be split proportionately. The main drawback is that mining pools are often centralized. This means you need to trust that the mining pool is credible.

🏆 ASICs: Best Way to Mine Crypto

ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits) are the most powerful devices to use when mining crypto. They generate significantly more hashing power than GPUs and CPUs. This is why ASICs are a minimum requirement when mining Bitcoin. Unfortunately, the best ASICs are costly. You should expect to pay thousands of dollars per device.

And even then, there’s no guarantee you’ll successfully mine a Bitcoin block. With this in mind, ASIC mining is better used on other mining coins. For example, ASICs are ideal for mining Litecoin. While the competition is significantly weaker than Bitcoin, Litecoin is still a large-cap crypto. This means your LTC mining rewards can be cashed out with ease.

💡 Cryptonews Tip

What Is the Most Powerful ASIC?

  • According to CoinCodex, the most powerful ASIC is the Bitmain Antminer S19 XP Hyd.
  • It can generate a hash rate of 255 TH/s.
  • This ASIC device will set you back over $6,000.

🖥️ CPUs and GPUs: Most Convenient But Limited

When Bitcoin was first launched in 2009, it was possible to mine with CPUs. These are the small processing units found within laptops and basic personal computers. As competition increased, miners had to upgrade to GPUs. This is because GPUs generate a lot more power than CPUs.

Today, neither CPUs nor GPUs can be used to mine Bitcoin. They simply don’t generate enough hashing power. They can, however, be used on less popular mining coins. For example, Bitcoin Gold, Ravencoin, and Vertcoin all support GPU mining coins. These mining networks are specifically resistant to ASICs, making them more inclusive.

What is the Easiest Crypto to Mine?


If you’re searching for the ‘easiest’ crypto to mine, you’ll need to consider the following:

  • Hardware: Mining hardware can be expensive. Whether it is the ASIC miners themselves or the ancillary equipment you need to support mining operations. For the easiest crypto to mine, the hardware must be low-cost.
  • Mining Algorithm: The mining algorithm will also play a role. Bitcoin’s SHA-256 model is considered the most difficult. This is why it requires an entire farm of ASICs just to solve the mining equation. Scrypt, Equihash, and Ethash are considered a lot easier.
  • Network Difficulty: The network difficulty will rise and fall constantly. This helps networks retain their desired block confirmation time. Mining coins with a lower difficulty are easier to mine.
  • Efficiency: Some mining mechanisms are more efficient than others. Bitcoin is the least efficient, due to the required computational power for each mined block.
  • Liquidity: If you’re mining crypto to make money, ensure the coin has sufficient liquidity. If not, you might struggle to sell your mining coins on public exchanges.

When you take into account all of these factors, the easiest coin to mine is likely Vertcoin (VTC). It is not only ASIC-resistant, meaning you can mine it without buying expensive hardware, but you can also begin mining with minimal effort. Users need only to download the mining software, enter a password, and mining will commence automatically.

Risks of Mining Cryptocurrency


Before you dive headfirst into crypto mining, there are a few considerations that you want to keep in mind. There are some risks associated with crypto mining. These may pertain to most or all PoW cryptocurrencies.

Barrier to Entry

This risk may not apply to all cryptocurrencies, but it is worth noting. Barrier to entry is any obstacle that makes it difficult for someone to enter a market. A great example of this is Bitcoin.

Bitcoin requires technical proficiency and a significant initial investment up front before you can begin mining. In the latter case, many miners take out loans, which can cause them to become “upside down” when the market experiences a downturn.

Cryptojacking

Cryptojacking is a scenario where someone maliciously uses another person’s computer resources to mine cryptocurrency without their consent. If you are a victim of cryptojacking, you may notice your computer is very slow or takes a long time to complete simple tasks.

To avoid cryptojacking, only use verified sources to download mining software, as cryptojacking and phishing go hand in hand. You should also do your own research on new projects because they can also entice users to download malicious software.

Financial Risk

Many factors could impact the profitability of mining. We define these as financial risk. Examples of financial risk include:

  • Servicing loans (if you took out loans to start) may become untenable if your mining operation does not yield enough profits.
  • Market downturns can make mining crypto more expensive than the rewards received (costs may include energy bill, internet bill, etc.)
  • Maintenance and upkeep of mining equipment. Mining equipment can become outdated or damaged, and you may have to replace it frequently. Selling old mining equipment also means you will incur material losses.

Competition

Small, solo miners are often pushed out of the market due to stiff competition. Some survive by joining mining pools. However, this comes with risks in and of itself. These may include unfair reward distribution, centralization, loss of autonomy, and operator risks.

Regulatory Risk

Perhaps the biggest risk to mining, depending on where you live, is regulatory risk. With the stroke of a pen, a government can wipe out your mining operation overnight. This was the case for countries like China and Afghanistan.

Methodology: How We Picked The Best Coins to Mine


Still wondering “What is the best crypto to mine?” We’ll now explain our methodology for ranking the best mining coins. We placed a particularly strong emphasis on potential profitability.

Mining Profitability (20%)

Mining profitability directly impacts the return on investment for miners. To assess this, we looked into the potential earnings from mining each coin, also considering the costs of energy and equipment.

Data on mining difficulty and hash rates is used to determine how much miners can earn from specific coins. For example, while Bitcoin offers higher rewards per block, the intense competition and high energy costs might lower net profits compared to less popular but more energy-efficient cryptocurrencies like Litecoin.

We also considered changes in the price of cryptocurrencies, which can significantly influence profitability. This dynamic approach ensures our picks are theoretically profitable.

Low Mining Difficulty and High Rewards (20%)

When searching for the best coin to mine, we initially focused on the perfect balance between mining difficulty and high rewards. In other words, how easy or difficult is it to successfully mine a block? And what is the correlation between mining value and output?

Ideally, you’ll want to mine crypto coins with a low difficulty ratio. This ensures you have the best chance possible of earning rewards. However, the rewards mined should reflect the inputted effort. Otherwise, you could be losing money.

For instance, Bitcoin offers the highest mining rewards. Each 10-minute block yields 3.125 BTC. But Bitcoin is also the most difficult coin to mine, considering how much competition there is.

Coin Credibility and Development (15%)

When choosing what to mine, we also prioritized mining coins with a solid reputation for credibility and development. This way, you can accumulate coins over time, allowing them to appreciate in value.

For example, those mining Dogecoin between 2013 and 2020 would have had little competition. After all, Dogecoin was a worthless meme coin, so the mining difficulty was minute. Fast forward to late 2020 and Dogecoin became mainstream. By May 2023, Dogecoin had surpassed a market capitalization of $80 billion. This means early miners could have cashed out their rewards for significant amounts.

Other credible mining coins with an established track record include Monero, Zcash, Litecoin, and Ethereum Classic. These mining ecosystems have gone through many bear markets. But are still here today with loyal communities.

Network Hash Rate and Competition (20%)

The network hash rate determines how much computational power is being supplied to a blockchain. When there’s more competition in the market, the hash rate increases. This makes it more difficult to mine, as you’re competing against a larger number of miners.

Conversely, lower hash rates mean less competition. This means you have a greater chance of success, as the network difficulty declines accordingly. The key issue is that the price of a cryptocurrency can influence the hash rate. When prices are high, more miners are motivated to mine.

Cost of Required Hardware and Operation (15%)

The cost to mine crypto will vary widely depending on the network and mining algorithm. Our methodology covered all budgets, ensuring that everyone has a fair chance of mining.

For example, Bitcoin is the best crypto to mine if you have the financial means. You’ll need to invest substantial amounts into ASICs, cooling devices, and electricity consumption.

Not everyone can afford to mine Bitcoin. That’s why we also included mining coins that support CPUs and GPUs. We also included Electroneum, which enables you to mine on a smartphone device.

Staking and Passive Income (10%)

Some cryptocurrencies, such as Qtum and Decred, use a hybrid mining mechanism. This combines segments of the proof-of-work and proof-of-stake systems. This means mining coins can be staked for passive rewards.

However, we found that the correlation between effort and rewards was on the low side, which is why these projects didn’t make our list. What’s more, the best crypto staking platforms allow you to stake proof-of-work coins effortlessly.

Conclusion: What’s the Best Profitable Crypto to Mine in 2025?


Crypto mining creates new coins and secures Proof-of-Work blockchains like Bitcoin. Miners solve math problems using powerful machines. The first to find the correct answer adds a block of transactions to the blockchain and earns a reward. This system keeps the network running without needing a central authority.

To mine efficiently, you need specialized hardware — eASICs for Bitcoin or GPUs for other coins. These machines use a lot of electricity and generate heat, requiring cooling and a stable internet connection. Some people rent cloud mining services to avoid setting up their own rigs.

Bitcoin remains the best crypto to mine, offering high payouts when prices surge, but it’s not without challenges. Mining Bitcoin demands costly equipment, massive energy use, and faces fierce competition. For those ready to invest time and money, Bitcoin mining is a great option, but approach it with caution and planning.

👉 Check this out: The Best Bitcoin & Crypto Mining Sites for 2025

Best Coin to Mine FAQs


Is crypto mining legal?

What is the best crypto mining site?

What coin can I mine for free?

What coin is still worth mining?

Is it safe to mine cryptocurrency?

Which coins can I mine with a regular PC?

References

  1. Mining Profitability Historical Charts (BitInfoCharts)
  2. Bitcoin mines could be used for energy storage (Financial Times)
  3. Dogecoin’s $80 billion valuation now makes it bigger than these 10 well-known companies (Business Insider)
  4. Understanding a revolutionary and flawed grand experiment in blockchain: The DAO attack (Journal of Cases on Information Technology)

Disclaimer: Crypto is a high-risk asset class. This article is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice. You could lose all of your capital.

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