Bitcoin mining is real, but think carefully: A realistic guide for beginners 2025

Bitcoin continues to attract investors’ attention regardless of price fluctuations because Bitcoin carries long-term value that has repeatedly proven itself through soaring ATHs. If you’re wondering Is Bitcoin mining worth the investment? this article will help you see the full picture.

Bitcoin Halving 2024: Is the Mining Game Really Changing?

Since April 2024, with the fourth halving, the reward per block decreased from 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC. This is a significant turning point. Halving the reward is real, not just a number in the books.

This reduction directly impacts miners’ income. Previously, they would earn 6.25 coins per block; now, it’s only half. This mechanism isn’t accidental. It’s programmed to make Bitcoin scarcer over time, which should push prices higher in the long run. However, the relationship between halving and price surges isn’t always straightforward. It depends on many other market factors.

How Bitcoin Mining Works: 4 Steps You Need to Know

Let’s take a quick look at the Bitcoin mechanism. Suppose Person A wants to transfer 2 Bitcoin to Person B.

Step 1: Announce the transaction
Person A’s wallet sends a signal “I transfer 2 BTC to Person B” to the Full Nodes across the network. Full Nodes are like the keepers of the network’s balance.

Step 2: Verification
Full Nodes check whether Person A’s transaction conflicts with others. If everything checks out, the info is broadcasted across the network. But Person B doesn’t have the coins yet because they haven’t been added to the blockchain.

Step 3: Miners compete
Miners worldwide gather verified new transactions, trying to solve complex mathematical puzzles to announce a new block. The fastest to solve wins. Since miners compete globally, their combined processing power is enormous.

Step 4: Confirmation and transfer
The new block is announced. Most Full Nodes agree and add it to the blockchain. Now, Person B has 2 BTC and can use them practically.

What Bitcoin Miners Need to Prepare: To Be Profitable

Mining Bitcoin isn’t just sitting in a chair and watching money flow in. It requires serious preparation.

ASIC Devices: The Heart of Mining
You can’t mine Bitcoin with regular computers anymore. You need ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) machines—specialized hardware designed solely for Bitcoin solving. Price? $3,000 to $10,000 depending on the model.

Electricity Costs: The Number One Enemy
Mining consumes “almost 139 TWh per year” (TWh), comparable to Norway’s annual energy consumption. If electricity is expensive, profits diminish. Hot countries like Thailand must invest in cooling equipment, adding extra costs.

Digital Wallets: Where to Store Coins
Once mined, where should you store BTC? Hot Wallet (online) is convenient but risky. Cold Wallet (offline) is safer but more complicated. Key point: Private Key is your life. Losing it means losing your coins forever—no help available.

Join a Mining Pool: Pooling Power
Solo mining offers tiny chances of success. Mining Pool is the solution—many miners combine processing power. When they win, rewards are shared proportionally. Pool fee is 1-3% of earnings.

Set Up Software: Bitcoin Mining Plugins
Choose good mining software—many free options support various OS. After connecting to a Pool, just let the machine run.

Actual Costs of Bitcoin Mining in 2025

Let’s do some calculations. Is this really the expense?

  • ASIC Miner: 52,500–350,000+ THB
  • Electricity: 3,500–10,500 THB/month (almost hiring staff)
  • Cooling Equipment: 1,750–7,000 THB/month
  • Mining Pool Fees: 1-3% of income
  • Cloud Mining: 3,500–175,000 THB (no need to buy hardware, just rent power)

This is the amount of money flowing out before you even get a single coin.

Is It Really Profitable or Just a Dream? Real Miner Scenarios

Based on current market data, each miner might earn $10–$20 per day after expenses (using mid-range equipment and average electricity rates).

But if you’re an industrial-scale operation—top-tier hardware, cheap energy—you might spend over $1,000/month per machine. To be honest: at the highest likelihood, a beginner (newbie) will earn $10–$20 daily.

Specific example: An iPhone mining Bitcoin continuously yields only 0.000852 BTC per month. Do you think it’s worth degrading your battery for that?

Bitcoin Mining vs. Easier Alternatives

If mining yields too little, why not try other methods?

Cloud Mining: No need to buy hardware—just rent hashing power for 3,500–175,000 THB. Maintenance and operation are included. Even old computers can participate. But returns depend on which service you trust.

Mining on Mobile: New smartphones can run Bitcoin mining apps, but the returns are tiny, and your battery will wear out quickly.

Faucets and Free Satoshi Websites: Freebitco.in, 777bitco.in, Paidbooks give small Satoshi. It’s a continuous accumulation, not a quick-rich scheme.

Realistic Alternative: Trade Bitcoin Instead of Mining

If your goal is profit from Bitcoin, mining isn’t the only way. Trading Bitcoin via financial instruments like CFDs (Contracts for Difference) is a faster alternative.

Advantages:

  • No need to own actual Bitcoin, avoiding storage hassles
  • No expensive infrastructure investment, reducing hacking risks
  • Returns can be quicker, depending on skills and strategies

Why not practice trading with a virtual $50,000 for free to see if you have the talent before risking real money?

Summary: Your Decision

Reality: Bitcoin mining in 2025 is still possible, but it’s not a fast track to wealth. High costs, low returns, and patience are required.

If you have enough money to invest in equipment and electricity and are willing to wait, mining could be a way to accumulate Bitcoin long-term, hoping prices will rise.

If you want quick income, trading on exchanges or CFDs is a more realistic choice.

Whatever path you choose, do thorough research, manage risks, and never invest money you can’t afford to lose.

BTC0.19%
View Original
This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.
  • Reward
  • Comment
  • Repost
  • Share
Comment
0/400
No comments
  • Pin

Trade Crypto Anywhere Anytime
qrCode
Scan to download Gate App
Community
  • 简体中文
  • English
  • Tiếng Việt
  • 繁體中文
  • Español
  • Русский
  • Français (Afrique)
  • Português (Portugal)
  • Bahasa Indonesia
  • 日本語
  • بالعربية
  • Українська
  • Português (Brasil)