How does Bitcoin mining work?

Mining Bitcoin is in many ways similar to gold mining. This “digital mining” is a computer process that creates new bitcoins and also keeps track of transactions and ownership of bitcoins. Bitcoin mining and gold mining are both energy intensive and both have the potential to earn solid cash rewards.

Let's dive deeper into Bitcoin mining to find out how it works and how it affects Bitcoin transactions and Bitcoin investors. Our article is about how Bitcoin transactions and mempool work

Basic moments

Bitcoin mining is the process of verifying and registering new bitcoin transactions.

Bitcoin miners are paid transaction fees and newly created digital currency.

Many miners use specialized mining hardware and participate in mining pools.

Mining cryptocurrency can be very energy intensive, so access to a cheap energy source is required to make a profit.

What is Bitcoin mining?

Bitcoin mining is a highly complex computational process that uses complex computer code to create a secure cryptographic system. Like secret codes used by governments and spies, the cryptography used for mining generates bitcoin, facilitates bitcoin transactions, and tracks ownership of cryptocurrency assets. Bitcoin mining maintains a database of Bitcoin called the blockchain.

Bitcoin miners are not people with picks and shovels, but owners of sophisticated computing equipment. Bitcoin miners compete to be the first to confirm Bitcoin transactions and receive rewards paid in Bitcoin. Cryptocurrency miners need to first invest in mining-specific computer hardware and typically need access to an inexpensive power source.

Although anyone can mine Bitcoin, it is not easy to profit from Bitcoin mining due to the required computing power and energy consumption.

Competing miners compete to execute complex mathematical functions called hashes to process Bitcoin transactions. A miner's hashrate is the speed at which its configuration of computers is able to solve mathematical equations. This mining protocol is called “proof of work” because the first miner to prove that he has done “work” on solving a complex equation gets the right to process a new block of Bitcoin transactions.

After a miner successfully verifies a new block of transactions, this block is distributed to all other miners and any other devices with a full copy of the Bitcoin blockchain. (These devices are called nodes.) Many computers around the world store identical copies of the blockchain, ensuring the creation and maintenance of a reliable, proven history that is nearly impossible to hack or distort.

Why mine Bitcoin?

There are two main reasons for mining bitcoin. The first is to profit from bitcoin mining, which is possible under the right circumstances. The second is to learn more about how cryptocurrencies work and keep the Bitcoin network running. Let's take a look at each of these reasons for mining bitcoin:

Bitcoin mining for profit

If you are interested in mining Bitcoin yourself, known as solo mining, and want to make a profit, then you will most likely need specialized mining hardware. Mining with a graphics processing unit (GPU) or application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) is generally most efficient, although computers such as a laptop or desktop computer (which rely on a CPU chip to perform their basic functions) can be used as well. ).

In addition to expensive equipment, you will have to consider the availability of Internet bandwidth and local electricity costs. Mining bitcoins consumes a lot of electricity. To make a profit, you need access to cheap electricity, or perhaps solar panels on your roof. You also need an Internet service provider that allows you to use the Internet without restrictions and does not charge you for exceeding a certain data limit.

Some miners team up with other miners to form Bitcoin mining pools. Groups of miners working together are more likely to receive rewards and share the profits among themselves. Mining pool members pay a mining pool membership fee.

Bitcoin mining for fun and education

If you enjoy tinkering with computers and learning new technologies, then you might want to mine Bitcoin even if you don't make money. By creating your own configuration for mining Bitcoin, you can learn about the internals of your computer and the Bitcoin network.

How to start mining Bitcoin

Curious to know exactly how to mine bitcoin? Bitcoin mining is not easy, but anyone with intermediate to advanced computer skills can probably do it. If you are familiar with the potential desire to start Bitcoin mining, follow these basic steps:

Choose equipment for mining bitcoins

The first step is choosing the hardware that you will use to mine Bitcoin. Many people start with an old computer to get a basic understanding of how Bitcoin mining works. If you want to make a profit, it is important to use optimized mining hardware such as a graphics processing unit (GPU) or application integrated circuit (ASIC).

Other minimum requirements for mining bitcoins include a high-speed internet connection with a speed of at least 50 kilobytes per second, and no restrictions on data upload and download. Bitcoin mining nodes typically use up to 200 gigabytes of data per month to download and about 20 gigabytes per month to download data.

Choosing between single and merged mining

Next, you can choose between self-mining and teaming up with other miners. Since solo mining is less likely to generate consistent profits, many people join the mining pool for more predictable cryptocurrency rewards.

Installing and configuring software for mining bitcoins
Now it's time to install the bitcoin mining software. Depending on your hardware, operating system and other factors, you can choose from a variety of mining applications. Here is an overview of some of the more popular cryptocurrency mining software.

Note: You also need to link your mining rig to a Bitcoin wallet, preferably a dedicated Bitcoin wallet. Miners use crypto wallets to receive rewards.

Start mining bitcoin

Once your mining rig is fully configured, you can click a button to start mining. Then sit back and watch your computer work hard to earn Bitcoin. Mining rigs usually need to run at least six hours every day to function successfully, although if you work constantly, the likelihood of receiving rewards from mining bitcoins will increase.

Control and customize your mining rig

Bitcoin mining is passive, but it's not exactly “set it and forget it”. You need to keep an eye on the performance and power consumption of your mining rig to ensure the most efficient and profitable operation. Sometimes a small configuration change can make a big difference in your earnings.

Risks and Limitations of Bitcoin Mining

If you decide to start mining Bitcoin, consider these risks and limitations:

Power Consumption

The Bitcoin network, which includes Bitcoin miners, nodes and users, uses more energy than many countries. As of November 18, 2021, the Bitcoin network consumes 120,5 TWh (this is terawatt hours) of electricity per year, meaning Bitcoin consumes more electricity than countries like Pakistan and the Netherlands, and slightly less than Argentina. Research on this topic

Important: Mining the largest cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin requires the most energy as the competition for Bitcoin rewards is the fiercest.

Internet using

Bitcoin miners are constantly uploading and downloading data. It is best to mine Bitcoin only on an unlimited internet connection. If you have to pay for each megabyte or gigabyte you use, or if you run into data limits like most cell phone plans, you may be using more data than allowed, and then your Internet connection will be interrupted or you will have to pay extra. money. In general, most bitcoin miners don't use too much data on a consistent basis.

Equipment damage

Bitcoin mining is a very intensive process for computer hardware. If your mining system is set up correctly, then you don't have to worry about hardware damage beyond normal wear and tear. However, choosing the wrong hardware or a mining configuration with poor ventilation can lead to overheating and damage to the hardware.

Bitcoin supply and reward restrictions

Bitcoin mining, by its very nature, becomes more and more difficult from time to time. Each year, the number of bitcoins created in each block is halved. After 21 million bitcoins have been mined, no new bitcoins will be created. From now on, Bitcoin miners will profit exclusively from transaction fees.

The bitcoin mining reward decreases as the number of unmined bitcoins decreases. “Halving,” or a 50% cut in Bitcoin miner rewards, occurs every time another 210 Bitcoin blocks are mined. Bitcoin mining rewards are halved approximately every four years.

In 2009, when bitcoin was launched, the reward for successfully mining a bitcoin block was 50 bitcoins. The first halving occurred in 2012, bringing the mining reward down to 25 bitcoins. The halving has happened twice since 2012, most recently in May 2020. The Bitcoin block reward is currently 6,25 BTC, with the next halving expected in 2024.

Taxes

Like any other income-generating activity, the profit from mining bitcoins is subject to taxation. It is very important to track cryptocurrency transactions for tax purposes, as ignoring tax obligations can get you in trouble with Uncle Sam.

Geographic restrictions

Bitcoin and Bitcoin mining are not legal everywhere. China, for example, outlawed all cryptocurrency activities in 2021. Be sure to study the rules and regulations regarding bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in the region where you live or are going to organize mining.

Results

Bitcoin mining is essential for Bitcoin to function. Miners perform the critical work of verifying transactions, tracking Bitcoin asset ownership, and securing the Bitcoin network. Anyone can take part in the mining using a computer capable of mining Bitcoin. Even if you don't plan on mining, it is useful for Bitcoin users to understand the basics of how Bitcoin mining works.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much money can you make mining Bitcoin?

Bitcoin miners are rewarded in Bitcoin for validating a new block of Bitcoin transactions. Miners who successfully confirm the block receive a reward of 6,25 BTC, which is currently worth over $ 350. Many miners work together in mining pools, which usually allows them to receive lower rewards, but more often.

How to join a Bitcoin mining pool?

If you have hardware that meets the pool's requirements, you can download the pool's dedicated software or other compatible mining software. You can connect your mining client to the mining pool using the network address and other configurations provided by the mining pool operator.

What is a good hashrate for Bitcoin mining?

The total hashrate of a mining computer, or the number of calculations per second, refers to the mathematical computing power of a computer or group of computers mining Bitcoin. Higher hash rates are better. As mining difficulty increases, your mining rig requires a higher hash rate to compete with other miners. High-tech Bitcoin mining equipment has a hash rate of about 100 hashes per second.

What bandwidth does Bitcoin mining use?

To mine Bitcoin, you need a high-speed broadband internet connection. Once your rig is up and running, the total amount of data downloaded and downloaded is usually minimal, as your mining rig can solve complex mathematical equations without using a lot of data. For the successful mining of bitcoins, a connection with a minimum data download speed of at least 50 kilobytes per second.