Short answer: No—Ether (ETH) can’t be mined anymore because Ethereum moved from Proof-of-Work to Proof-of-Stake (The Merge). You can now earn ETH by staking it or buying it; miners have switched to PoW coins like Ethereum Classic (ETC), Ravencoin, or Kaspa.
What to do now:
No, it is technically impossible to mine Ether (ETH) in 2026.
To clarify: Ethereum is the network, and Ether (ETH) is the token. Since late 2022, the Ethereum network stopped using “miners” (who use hardware to solve puzzles) and switched to “validators” (who lock up coins).
When you see search results or videos about “mining Ethereum in 2026,” they are usually referring to:
Ethereum mining officially died in September 2022 during an event called “The Merge.”
When the switch flipped, millions of GPUs had to find a new home. Most moved to:
If your goal is to accumulate Ethereum, you have to change your strategy from hardware to capital.
Staking is the direct replacement for mining. You earn yield on your ETH holdings.
Most “miners” today are actually just investors.
Warning: Avoid “Free ETH” faucets or “ETH Mining Simulators.” If it requires zero effort or investment, it is almost certainly a data-harvesting scam.
Direct ETH mining is 0% profitable because it doesn’t exist.
However, is crypto mining still profitable in 2026? Yes, but the margins are razor-thin.
Profitability now depends entirely on your specific edge:
You cannot mine 1 ETH.
However, we can answer: “How long to EARN 1 ETH via alternatives?”
Note: This assumes you have $10k+ in hardware and cheap electricity. For most people, buying is faster.
If you already have a GPU rig gathering dust, here are the best options in 2026.
| Coin | Ticker | Algorithm | Hardware | Best For | Risk |
| Ethereum Classic | ETC | Etchash | ASIC / GPU | Stability | 51% Attacks |
| Ravencoin | RVN | KawPow | GPU (High VRAM) | Hobbyists | High Heat/Power |
| Kaspa | KAS | kHeavyHash | ASIC | Profitability | ASIC dominance |
| Monero | XMR | RandomX | CPU | Privacy fans | Low Profit |
| Flux | FLUX | ZelHash | GPU | Web3 Infra | Volatility |
Why ETC? Ethereum Classic is the original Ethereum chain that preserved Proof-of-Work. It is the easiest switch for former ETH miners because the algorithm (Etchash) is nearly identical to the old ETH algorithm.
Stop. These are almost always scams.
Smartphones lack the computing power (hashrate) to mine Proof-of-Work coins. Any app claiming to “mine ETH” on your phone is likely:
ALSO READ: 8 Common Crypto Scams to Watch Out for
Ethermine was the world’s largest Ethereum mining pool.
What happened to it?
After The Merge, Ethermine shut down its ETH mining servers. It rebranded and launched Ether.fi, a staking protocol.
Can you still use Ethermine?
Yes, but not for ETH. You can use Ethermine to mine:
If you are looking for the old Ethermine dashboard to check your ETH earnings, that data is gone. Former miners should look into staking pools (like Lido or Rocket Pool) which are the modern equivalent of mining pools.
“Is mining profitable in India?”
Generally, no, unless you have industrial electricity rates or solar power.
Estimated monthly profit/loss based on different electricity rates.
| Rate (₹/kWh) | Monthly Power Bill | Monthly Revenue (Est) | Net Profit/Loss |
| ₹ 3 (Solar/Ind) | ₹ 2,500 | ₹ 6,000 | + ₹ 3,500 (Profit) |
| ₹ 6 (Avg Residential) | ₹ 5,000 | ₹ 6,000 | + ₹ 1,000 (Low Margin) |
| ₹ 9 (Urban Tier) | ₹ 7,500 | ₹ 6,000 | – ₹ 1,500 (LOSS) |
| ₹ 12 (Commercial) | ₹ 10,000 | ₹ 6,000 | – ₹ 4,000 (LOSS) |
A: No. Since September 2022, Ethereum uses Proof-of-Stake. You cannot mine it with GPUs or ASICs. You must stake it.
A: ETH mining does not exist. Mining alternatives like ETC or RVN can be profitable, but only if your electricity cost is below $0.10/kWh.
A: You cannot mine it directly. To earn 1 ETH via staking (at 4% APY), you would need to stake ~25 ETH for 1 year, or 10 ETH for 2.5 years.
A: No. Any site offering “free ETH mining” is likely a scam. Real value requires capital (staking) or hardware/electricity (mining altcoins).
A: No. Phones lack the hardware power. “Mobile mining” apps are usually data-harvesting schemes or simulations.
A: Yes, but margins are tight in 2026. Profitable miners usually operate in regions with cheap electricity (hydro/solar) and use specialized ASIC hardware.
A: For stability, Ethereum Classic (ETC). For GPU hobbyists, Ravencoin (RVN) or Flux. For pure profit (with high entry cost), Kaspa (KAS) ASICs.
A: A small home rig consumes ~800-1000 Units (kWh) per month. At an average of ₹8/unit, that is ₹6,400–₹8,000 per month in electricity alone.
A: You cannot mine it. Is it worth staking? Yes, if you plan to hold ETH long-term, staking generates passive income (ETH-on-ETH).
A: The fastest way is to buy it on a regulated exchange (like Coinbase, Binance, or Mudrex). Mining/Staking are slow, long-term accumulation strategies.
Krishnan is a Bangalore-based crypto writer dedicated to simplifying complex crypto concepts. He covers blockchain, DeFi, and NFTs, with a focus on real-world asset tokenization and digital trust. Previously he has written on Real Estate related assets for NoBroker. Krishnan holds a B.Tech degree from the College of Engineering Trivandrum.
