How to Mine Ethereum & ETC in 2025–2026: Crypto Mining Guide
Mining Ethereum used to be the OG way to snag ETH before staking took over. Back in the day, GPUs were king, with miners running PhoenixMiner, NBMiner, or Gminer on pools like Ethermine and Flexpool. Fast forward to 2025, and Ethereum is now fully on Proof-of-Stake (PoS), which means classic GPU mining for ETH is dead. RIP PoW ETH .
But don’t panic. You can still earn ETH via staking—lock your coins to secure the network and earn passive rewards. Minimum deposit is 32 ETH (or less via staking pools like Lido or Rocket Pool). Check our ETH mining calculator for exact numbers.
If you’re itching for PoW action, switch to GPU-friendly coins like Ethereum Classic (ETC), Ravencoin (RVN), or Ergo (ERG). These coins still run PoW and let you flex your rigs for profit.
Getting Started with Ethereum in 2025
GPU mining for ETH is gone, but you can still play the game smartly. Here’s what you need in 2025–2026:
- High-end GPU (RTX 40-series) or ASIC rigs
- Crypto wallet: MetaMask, Trust Wallet, or Ledger
- Mining software: PhoenixMiner, Gminer, lolMiner, TeamRedMiner
- Optional: Join staking pools for ETH 2.0 rewards
Mining Ethereum Classic (ETC) – PoW Still Alive
Ethereum Classic stayed loyal to PoW, so miners can still flex GPUs and ASICs. ETC is attractive for miners who want real hardware gains while ETH staking dominates.
Steps for ETC mining:
- Pick strong GPUs (AMD often outperforms for ETC)
- Install mining software: lolMiner or TeamRedMiner
- Join a mining pool: 2Miners or Ethermine
- Create an ETC wallet: MetaMask, Trust Wallet, or Ledger
- Configure and start mining
ETC preserves decentralization principles and remains a strong altcoin for mining.
Ethereum Mining Methods 2025–2026
ETH PoW mining is obsolete, but here are current ways to earn:
- Staking: Lock ETH in Ethereum 2.0. 32 ETH minimum or use Lido/Rocket Pool pools.
- Liquidity Pools: Provide liquidity on DeFi platforms like Uniswap or Curve for passive yields.
- Cloud Mining: Rent GPU/ASIC power for ETC or other PoW coins.
- Alt PoW Mining: Switch to Ravencoin, Ergo, Kaspa, or other PoW altcoins.
Ethereum & ETC Profit Comparison Table (2025–2026)
| Method | Coin | Hardware Needed | Avg. ROI (per month) | Risk Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Staking | ETH | 32 ETH min / pool | 5–7% | Low | Passive, network-secure, requires no GPU |
| GPU Mining | ETC | RTX 40 / AMD GPU | 3–10% | Medium | PoW altcoin, high volatility |
| Liquidity Pools | ETH/DeFi Tokens | Wallet + exchange | 4–12% | Medium | Impermanent loss risk, passive yield |
| Cloud Mining | ETC / RVN | Rented rigs | 2–8% | Medium–High | Provider risk, no hardware upfront |
Ethereum Outlook 2025–2030
Ethereum remains a core blockchain for DeFi, NFTs, Web3, and corporate smart contracts. With sharding and Layer 2 scaling, gas fees are down, and transaction speed is up.
Forecast highlights:
- ETH price growth from mass adoption in finance, gaming, and business
- Staking will dominate over classic mining as PoS rewards rise
- Ethereum ecosystem = backbone of Web3 & digital assets
- ETC remains relevant for GPU/ASIC miners, preserving PoW
Whether you’re staking ETH or mining ETC, the crypto space in 2025–2026 is packed with opportunities. Pick your strategy wisely, stack sats, and ride the next crypto wave .
