Solo mining remains a niche strategy, but in 2025 it can still offer real opportunities on selected altcoins. Which coins are worth it, what tools you’ll need, and why Bitcoin is basically a hobbyist’s game — literally.
Solo mining has a special appeal: if you find a block, you take home the entire reward. But competition is fierce, power costs are rising, and specialized hardware is increasingly required. Even so, there are several altcoins in 2025 where solo mining can still be (at least theoretically) worthwhile.
Bitcoin: Solo mining as a nerdy side project
Let’s start with the classic: Bitcoin. Solo mining BTC is not economically viable in countries with high electricity prices (e.g., Germany). Power costs are too high, competition too strong, and hardware demands extreme. A single miner might wait years for a block.
“Classic mining isn’t really worth it for private individuals here anymore, because electricity prices are simply too high to compete with professional farms. As a small experiment, though, you can play with so-called ‘lottery miners’ like the Nerdminer,” says Konstantin Erbacher of NexMine. These gadgets have almost no hashrate — but in theory, they can still hit a block.
Altcoins: Where solo chances improve
It’s different on smaller networks. Coins like Kaspa (KAS), Nexa, or Radiant (RXD) rely on efficient algorithms, high block frequency, and strong community adoption. They’re increasingly mined with GPUs or dedicated ASICs and can be lucrative — with some luck.
“These projects are based on efficient algorithms and feature high block frequency plus community-driven growth. Solo mining can pay off in individual cases, but only with an appropriate luck factor or sufficient compute,” Erbacher tells BTC-ECHO.
ASIC-resistant mainstays: Monero, Ravencoin, Vertcoin
For many hobby miners, coins that deliberately disadvantage ASICs remain attractive. “Ravencoin, with the KAWPOW algorithm, is one of the best-known ASIC-resistant coins. The algorithm was designed to handicap ASICs and favor GPUs. That keeps Ravencoin one of the last serious GPU alternatives for hobby miners,” Erbacher emphasizes.
Monero also supports solo mining straight from its wallet — beginner-friendly with a low barrier to entry. Vertcoin brands itself the “people’s coin” and, via Verthash, likewise enables GPU/CPU mining without specialized hardware.
Pools & tools: ViaBTC, NiceHash, P2Pool
Solo mining requires your own nodes, stable software, and often luck. Technically robust pools with reliable payouts are found primarily among large, established providers.
“ViaBTC, for which we’re the first official partner in Germany, offers a proven infrastructure that supports all common, sensibly minable coins and enables regular, transparent payouts,” says Erbacher.
“NiceHash is especially suitable for GPU miners and provides stable solutions for smaller setups. On both platforms, users can flexibly switch between solo and pool mining,” he adds.
Top altcoins for solo mining in 2025
A number of coins stand out as especially solo-friendly in 2025. One analysis, for example, highlights Monero, Vertcoin, Kaspa, Ravencoin, and Dogecoin as five of the more profitable proof-of-work options thanks to relatively modest power needs, manageable difficulty, and solid yields. Ethereum Classic and a handful of other PoW coins also remain relevant.
Snapshot of key characteristics (indicative):
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Monero (XMR) — Block time ~2 min; reward ~0.6 XMR; RandomX; CPU (ASIC-resistant); difficulty: low/easy
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Ravencoin (RVN) — Block time ~1 min; reward 2,500 RVN; KawPoW; GPU/CPU (ASIC-resistant); difficulty: low/easy
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Vertcoin (VTC) — Block time ~2.5 min; reward 12.5 VTC; Verthash (Lyra2REv3); GPU/CPU (ASIC-resistant); difficulty: low/easy
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Kaspa (KAS) — Block time ~1 sec; reward ≈58 KAS; kHeavyHash; GPU (ASIC-resistant); difficulty: low/easy
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Dogecoin (DOGE) — Block time ~1 min; reward 10,000 DOGE; Scrypt (merged mining); ASIC (Scrypt); difficulty: medium
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Ethereum Classic (ETC) — Block time ~13 sec; reward ~2.048 ETC (post-reduction); Etchash; GPU/ASIC possible; difficulty: low–medium
Conclusion: Real opportunities in selected altcoins
Solo mining isn’t a mass-market play in 2025 — it’s a niche. But with the right hardware, cheap electricity, and solid technical know-how, altcoins like Kaspa, Monero, or Ravencoin can present real opportunities.
