Bitcoin · CoinDesk
As big bitcoin miners chase AI profits, individuals get another shot at the rewards
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In the early days of bitcoin BTC $77,726.02, way back in 2009, individuals could mine the cryptocurrency using ordinary home computers, earning rewards for helping process transactions on the proof-of-work network.
Key facts
- After $1,836 in annual running costs and the 15% management fee, roughly $633 would remain toward covering the initial equipment cost
- Based on Sazmining's estimate of 0.035 BTC in annual production per board, at a bitcoin price of $83,000, gross revenue would be about $2,905 a year
- Electricity and maintenance cost another $153 a month, plus a management fee of 15% of the bitcoin mined
- In the early days of bitcoin BTC $77,726.02, way back in 2009, individuals could mine the cryptocurrency using ordinary home computers, earning rewards for helping process transactions
Summary
Services such as GoMining, KuMining and Sazmining are offering individuals access to industrial-style bitcoin mining, but high equipment and operating costs make profits difficult. Large miners’ shift toward artificial intelligence data centers has not significantly reduced bitcoin’s computing power, limiting the potential benefit for smaller operators. One Sazmining board could take more than six years to recoup its initial cost under current assumptions, and the next bitcoin halving is expected to extend that timeline. Nearly two decades later, companies are trying to bring individuals back, offering ways to earn BTC without buying and operating expensive machines at home.