Ethereum Classic (ETC) remains one of the most resilient and ideologically consistent proof-of-work blockchains in the cryptocurrency space. As a decentralized, censorship-resistant network secured by miners, it continues to attract interest from both veteran and new participants in the mining community. Whether you're transitioning from Ethereum mining or starting fresh, this guide covers everything you need to know about mining Ethereum Classic — from hardware and software to profitability, algorithms, and network security.
Hardware Options for Mining Ethereum Classic
The two primary hardware categories used for mining Ethereum Classic are GPUs (Graphics Processing Units) and ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits). While GPUs offer flexibility and accessibility, ASICs provide superior energy efficiency and hash rate performance.
For beginners or small-scale miners, high-end GPUs like the NVIDIA RTX 30 and 40 series or AMD Radeon RX 6000 series remain viable options. However, since 2022, ASIC miners optimized for the ETCHash algorithm — such as those from Bitmain and Innosilicon — have become widely available and significantly more efficient than GPU setups.
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Despite early design goals to be ASIC-resistant, ETC’s mining ecosystem has evolved, and ASIC dominance is now a reality. That said, GPU mining still plays a role, especially in regions where ASICs are less accessible or where decentralization through diverse miner participation is valued.
Software Tools and Setup
Choosing the right mining software depends on your operating system and hardware configuration. Popular choices include:
- T-Rex Miner – Known for its stability and low developer fee.
- PhoenixMiner – Offers excellent compatibility with both AMD and NVIDIA GPUs.
- GMiner – Lightweight and user-friendly with strong ASIC support.
You can find detailed setup instructions and recommendations in official ETC documentation under the mining software section. Additionally, online video tutorials — searchable via "how to mine Ethereum Classic" — provide step-by-step visual guidance for beginners.
Switching from Ethereum to Ethereum Classic
If you previously mined Ethereum (ETH) before the Merge, transitioning to Ethereum Classic is straightforward. This is because ETC uses ETCHash, a close variant of ETH’s original Ethash algorithm. The hardware that worked for pre-Merge ETH will work seamlessly for ETC.
However, due to Ethereum Classic’s substantial network hash rate, individual miners are unlikely to find blocks solo unless operating at scale. Therefore, most miners choose to join a mining pool to receive smaller but consistent rewards proportional to their contributed hash power.
When selecting a pool:
- Prioritize low fees.
- Choose pools large enough to find blocks regularly.
- Avoid over-concentrating hash power; supporting mid-sized pools helps maintain network decentralization.
Profitability Considerations
Currently, Ethereum Classic stands as the largest GPU-mineable cryptocurrency by block reward value in USD terms. While profitability hinges on several variables — including electricity costs, hardware efficiency, and operational scale — ETC offers a compelling opportunity for miners seeking sustainable income post-Ethereum PoS transition.
Key revenue streams for ETC miners include:
- Fixed block rewards – Defined by ECIP-1017, these decrease by 20% every 5 million blocks (approximately every 2.5 years), mimicking Bitcoin’s halving model.
- Transaction fees – Vary based on network congestion and usage.
- Uncle block rewards – Miners earn partial rewards when their blocks are recognized as valid but not part of the main chain.
- MEV (Miner Extractable Value) – Potential gains from optimizing transaction ordering within blocks.
Even if mining operates at a slight loss financially, some participants continue to mine to obtain “fresh” ETC without purchasing it directly — a strategy useful for privacy-conscious users or long-term hodlers.
Is ETCHash ASIC-Resistant?
ETCHash was originally designed to be memory-hard, aiming to deter ASIC development and promote egalitarian mining. However, the idea of true ASIC resistance is widely regarded as a myth.
Over time, any profitable proof-of-work algorithm attracts specialized hardware development. By 2022, ASICs capable of mining ETCHash had emerged with 2x to 6x better energy efficiency than GPUs, cementing their dominance in the mining landscape.
This shift underscores an important lesson: while algorithm design can delay ASIC adoption, it cannot prevent it indefinitely if economic incentives exist.
Will Ethereum Classic Switch to SHA3 or Proof-of-Stake?
There are no active plans to switch Ethereum Classic’s mining algorithm to SHA3 or adopt proof-of-stake (PoS).
Discussions around SHA3 arose before Ethereum’s Merge, primarily as a defense mechanism against potential 51% attacks from miners displaced after ETH abandoned proof-of-work. However, post-Merge reality proved different — instead of being overwhelmed, ETC became the dominant chain using the Ethash/ETCHash family, inheriting much of the remaining hashrate and enhancing its security.
Switching to SHA3 would undermine this hard-earned security position and is no longer under serious consideration.
Similarly, moving to PoS contradicts ETC’s core philosophy. The community strongly supports proof-of-work as essential for censorship resistance and decentralized issuance. Any attempt to introduce staking would likely result in a chain split, ensuring that a proof-of-work version of Ethereum Classic would persist regardless.
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You can explore more about ETC’s commitment to proof-of-work in dedicated resources outlining its foundational principles.
Understanding Uncle Blocks
In Ethereum Classic’s blockchain, multiple miners compete to add new blocks. Occasionally, two valid blocks are discovered nearly simultaneously. Only one can be included in the main chain; the other becomes an uncle block.
These uncle blocks are not wasted — they’re referenced in subsequent blocks and provide partial rewards to their creators. The term “uncle” stems from blockchain terminology: each block has a parent, and an uncle is related but not direct — just like family ties.
Uncle blocks enhance network security by:
- Reducing orphan rates.
- Encouraging honest participation even during temporary forks.
- Providing additional income to miners.
This mechanism is a hallmark of Ethash-based chains and contributes to ETC’s overall robustness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I use my old Ethereum mining rig for Ethereum Classic?
A: Yes. Since ETC uses ETCHash — a derivative of Ethash — any hardware that mined pre-Merge Ethereum can mine ETC with minimal configuration changes.
Q: Is GPU mining still profitable for Ethereum Classic?
A: It depends on electricity costs and local market conditions. While ASICs dominate efficiency, GPU mining can still be viable for hobbyists or in low-power-cost regions.
Q: How often does the block reward decrease on ETC?
A: Every 5 million blocks (roughly every 2.5 years), the block reward drops by 20%, per ECIP-1017.
Q: What makes Ethereum Classic different from other PoW chains?
A: Its strict adherence to immutability, lack of centralized treasury, and community-driven resistance to protocol changes make ETC unique among smart contract platforms.
Q: Are there risks of a 51% attack on ETC?
A: While past incidents occurred, the network has grown significantly more secure since the Ethereum Merge, thanks to increased hashrate and broader miner participation.
Q: Do I need to pay fees to join a mining pool?
A: Most pools charge a small fee (typically 1–2%) on earnings. Always review pool terms before committing your hash power.
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Final Thoughts
Ethereum Classic continues to stand as a beacon of decentralized proof-of-work principles in an increasingly staking-dominated ecosystem. With strong community support, predictable monetary policy, and compatibility with existing mining infrastructure, it offers a durable option for miners worldwide.
Whether you're motivated by profit, ideology, or technological curiosity, mining ETC represents more than just earning tokens — it's participating in a living legacy of blockchain integrity.