The Evolution of Ethereum Mining Pools: From ETH to ETC and Beyond

The landscape of eth pool operations underwent a seismic shift when Ethereum transitioned to Proof-of-Stake in September 2022. What was once a thriving ecosystem of mining pools designed to validate transactions on the world’s second-largest blockchain essentially ceased operations overnight. However, rather than signaling the end of cryptocurrency mining pools altogether, this pivotal moment simply redirected the focus of miners toward alternative networks and revenue-generating mechanisms.

For those who invested in mining hardware or participated in consortium-style mining arrangements, understanding the current state of mining pools—including which networks remain mineable and how modern alternatives like staking function—is essential for making informed decisions about cryptocurrency earning strategies in 2026.

Understanding Mining Pools After Ethereum’s Shift

At its core, a mining pool represents a collective arrangement where individual miners combine their computational resources to increase the probability of discovering and validating new blocks. Before Ethereum’s consensus mechanism transformation, these pools functioned as the backbone of the network, enabling smaller participants to generate consistent earnings rather than competing in a winner-take-all scenario.

In a traditional mining pool structure, participants contribute hash power to solve cryptographic puzzles. When the consortium successfully validates a block, the associated rewards—including the base block reward and transaction fees—are distributed among members according to their proportional contribution. This mechanism converts the luck-dependent nature of solo mining into a more predictable revenue stream.

The Proof-of-Stake transition changed this fundamental equation for Ethereum itself. Mining ETH is now impossible, as the network no longer requires computational work to produce new blocks. Instead, validators secure the network by staking cryptocurrency. But this development didn’t eliminate mining pools—it redirected them.

Where Mining Pools Remain Viable

Today, mining pools continue to operate on Ethereum Classic (ETC) and EthereumPoW (ETHW), both of which retained the Proof-of-Work consensus mechanism. These networks represent the primary destinations for miners seeking to maintain their operations using existing ASIC hardware and GPU equipment.

Ethereum Classic has proven surprisingly resilient as a mining destination, maintaining a substantial hash rate and network security through pools such as Ethermine, F2Pool, Hiveon, and 2Miners. Similarly, ETHW, which forked from Ethereum during the Merge event, continues to support mining activities through many of the same platforms.

For miners evaluating whether to continue hardware-based operations, these two networks represent the most practical Proof-of-Work alternatives with established mining pool infrastructure and reasonable transaction fee economics.

Key Structural Differences Between Mining Pool Types

Mining pools operate under several distinct payout architectures, each with different risk and reward profiles:

PPLNS (Pay Per Last N Shares) distributes rewards only when the pool successfully discovers a block. This means payouts are less frequent but potentially larger, since members capture both block rewards and transaction fees associated with successful validations. The variability can be substantial for smaller contributors.

PPS (Pay Per Share) guarantees payment for each unit of work submitted, irrespective of whether the pool finds a block. This creates steady, predictable income but typically at lower rates than PPLNS, since the pool operator assumes the variance risk.

PPS+ merges both approaches, providing guaranteed payments for base block rewards under a PPS model while distributing transaction fees using PPLNS mechanics. This hybrid structure appeals to risk-averse miners seeking some predictability without sacrificing upside potential.

Beyond payout structure, miners should evaluate minimum withdrawal thresholds (lower minimums mean more frequent access to earned coins), withdrawal fee percentages, pool operator reliability, and technical support responsiveness. Platforms like miningpoolstats provide real-time data on pool uptime, current fees, and average payout performance.

Practical Steps for Selecting and Joining an Eth Mining Pool

Step 1: Establish a Compatible Wallet Before joining any mining pool, create a self-custody wallet that supports your target coin (ETC or ETHW). Hardware wallets offer superior security for accumulated mining rewards, while software wallets provide convenience for frequent transactions.

Step 2: Compare Pool Operators Use statistical tracking sites to review fee structures, minimum payouts, support channels, and historical payout consistency. Leading options include Ethermine (1% fee, 0.1 minimum ETC), F2Pool (1-2% variable fees, 24/7 support), Hiveon (0% fees with PPS+ structure), and 2Miners (1% fees, 0.01 ETC minimums).

Step 3: Register and Download Mining Software Create an account on your chosen pool and download the appropriate mining application. Popular options include ethminer, PhoenixMiner, and GMiner—each supports ETC and ETHW with straightforward configuration processes.

Step 4: Configure and Launch Operations Input your wallet address into the mining software, specify your pool server connection details, and commence hashing. Monitor your performance through the pool’s web dashboard to track earnings and verify payouts are accumulating as expected.

Step 5: Execute Withdrawals Once accumulated rewards reach the pool’s minimum threshold, initiate transfers to your personal wallet. Some pools offer direct integration with trading platforms, enabling seamless conversion or reinvestment.

Security Considerations and Long-Term Viability

Mining pool participation carries identifiable risks that prospective participants should carefully evaluate:

Centralization Risk: Excessive concentration of hash power among a small number of pool operators creates potential vulnerabilities for network security and governance. Miners should diversify across multiple pools rather than placing all computational resources under a single operator.

Operational Risk: Not all mining pools operate with equivalent transparency or integrity. Historical instances of pools disappearing with user funds or failing to distribute earnings underscore the importance of participating only with established operators that maintain verifiable payout histories and public dashboards.

Cybersecurity Risk: Pool infrastructure can be targeted by attackers seeking to disrupt earnings or access personal data. Select operators that implement robust security practices and maintain transparent incident reporting procedures.

Reconsidering Your Earning Strategy Beyond Mining

For individuals previously dependent on eth pool earnings, several alternatives merit evaluation:

Staking: Ethereum and other major networks now offer staking rewards through validators or liquid staking services. This approach requires no specialized hardware, consumes significantly less electricity, and often generates competitive returns compared to traditional mining operations.

Cloud Mining: Platforms providing remote access to mining hardware eliminate equipment maintenance requirements but typically charge substantial fees that reduce profitability. Thoroughly evaluate return calculations before committing capital.

Token Yield Programs: Various DeFi and centralized platforms offer yield-generating mechanisms for holding cryptocurrencies—often with more transparent terms and lower operational burden than mining.

Conclusion

The transition of Ethereum from Proof-of-Work to Proof-of-Stake fundamentally restructured mining pool economics, but viable opportunities remain for those willing to adapt. Ethereum Classic, EthereumPoW, and other Proof-of-Work networks continue to support active mining pool ecosystems with established infrastructure and reasonable profitability metrics.

For miners evaluating 2026 options, success depends on carefully comparing pool fee structures, payout mechanics, operator reliability, and long-term network viability. Those preferring lower-risk alternatives should consider staking as a more capital-efficient earning mechanism requiring minimal technical maintenance.

Whatever direction you choose, prioritize security through strong operational practices, multi-pool diversification, and independent verification of all payout claims. The mining and staking landscape continues to evolve—staying informed about both opportunities and risks ensures your decisions align with current market realities.

This content is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency mining, staking, and other earning mechanisms involve material financial risks. Conduct independent research, implement robust security practices, and never allocate capital you cannot afford to lose.