Solo Bitcoin Mining: Against the Odds, Still Worth the Try
Bitcoin mining has come a long way. What began as a hobby for cypherpunks with spare CPUs has evolved into an industrial-scale operation dominated by large mining farms. These massive setups, equipped with thousands of high-powered ASICs, now secure much of the Bitcoin network.
To many, it might seem like solo Bitcoin mining - going it alone instead of joining a pool - is a relic of the past. After all, what chance does a single miner have against a warehouse of machines?
Surprisingly, the answer is: a very small, but very real chance.
What Is Solo Bitcoin Mining?
Solo mining is exactly what it sounds like - mining Bitcoin without joining a pool. Unlike in a mining pool where rewards are split among participants, solo miners go for the full block reward alone. But that reward - currently 3.125 BTC, plus transaction fees - only comes if you actually find a block.
It's statistically unlikely. Solo mining is often compared to playing the lottery: unless you have significant hash power, the odds are low. Still, some home miners embrace the challenge - and once in a while, someone actually wins.
Real-World Wins: Lightning in a Silicon Bottle
Despite the daunting odds, solo mining successes continue to make headlines.
In early 2025, a solo miner found Bitcoin Block 883,181 - and took home the entire 3.125 BTC reward. In 2024, a Bitaxe miner running at just 500 GH/s mined a block worth over $200,000 at the time. These rare but thrilling victories remind us that solo mining isn't impossible. Just improbable.
And for some, that’s enough.
Historical Solo Mining Data: A Rare but Rewarding Feat
There are still Bitcoin miners who choose to go solo - not for consistent profits, but for the chance to claim a full block reward. As rare as it is, solo mining continues to yield surprising results.
According to data from Solo CK Pool, only a few hundred solo-mined blocks have been found over the past decade. The chart below illustrates the yearly breakdown from 2014 to 2024:
While 2015 and 2017 saw unusually high numbers, the post-2020 landscape has been much quieter. Still, 2024 is already showing a slight uptick - proof that even in a landscape dominated by industrial miners, solo success stories persist.
Why Solo Mine?
1. The Whole Block Reward
While most miners collect tiny shares through pools, solo miners dream of the whole pie - 3.125 BTC, plus fees.
2. True Decentralization
Solo mining supports the original vision of Bitcoin: decentralization. No pool, no middleman - just your machine and the protocol.
3. The Thrill of It
Let’s be honest: part of the appeal is the chance to beat the odds. It’s the crypto version of a jackpot.
4. Learn-by-Doing
If you’re curious about Bitcoin’s mechanics, solo mining is a great way to get hands-on with nodes, firmware, hardware, and network behavior.
Meet the Bitaxe Gamma 601 Solo Miner
An Open-Source Home Miner Designed for Solo Adventurers.
If you’re considering solo mining, you’ll need the right gear. The Bitaxe Gamma 601 Solo Miner isn’t a powerhouse by industrial standards - but it’s a beautifully designed open-source miner perfect for home setups..
Why Bitaxe?
1–1.2 TH/s Hashrate: Built on the BM1370 ASIC, the same chip found in Bitmain’s Antminer S21 series.
Low Power Consumption: Running at just 15–17W per TH, making it one of the most efficient small-scale miners on the market.
Wi-Fi Enabled: No need for an external controller. Just plug it in, connect to Wi-Fi, and start mining.
Quiet & Compact: Designed to fit into any room, without the industrial hum of larger rigs.
Customizable Firmware: Runs on AXE OS, fully open-source, and backed by a passionate developer community.
Standalone, No Pool Required: Mine to your own node. Be your own miner.
Introducing the NerdQaxe++: Next-Level Solo Mining
Looking for more power while still keeping things open-source and mine solo? Meet the NerdQaxe++!
With a 4.8 TH/s hashrate and just 72W power draw, the NerdQaxe++ delivers Antminer S7-level power using only four Bitmain BM1370 chips - the same chip series found in the S21 Pro lineup.
Why NerdQaxe++?
Hashrate & Efficiency: 4.8 TH/s at only 72W.
Smart Display: A 1.9” LCD screen with buttons to monitor hash rate, ASIC temps, power usage, and BTC price.
AxeOS Panel: Manage and monitor your full miner network (or “swarm”) from one sleek dashboard.
Cooling: Ships with a premium low-profile AXP90 cooler and allows modding for other setups.
Open Source: Built around the Lilygo T-Display-S3 board with integrated ESP32 chip — fully transparent and modifiable.
Ready to Ship in the EU: DDP shipping available for all EU-based customers.
Whether you're just getting started or ready to expand your home setup, NerdQaxe++ gives you serious solo mining performance with full visibility and control.
A Tribute to the Bitaxe Project & Its Creator
Bitaxe is more than a product - it’s part of an open-source movement in Bitcoin mining.
The project was started by an anonymous electrical engineer.
Backed by the community at Open Source Miners United (OSMU), Bitaxe provides open-source design files, firmware, and support for DIY or plug-and-play miners alike. From schematics to firmware to real-time dashboards, it’s all out in the open.
As a trusted vendor of Bitaxe hardware, Coin Mining Central proudly contributes a portion of every sale to the continued development of open-source mining.
Final Thoughts: A Long Shot That Keeps the Spirit Alive
Solo mining may not offer consistent rewards - but that’s not why people do it. It’s about reclaiming the essence of Bitcoin: open-source, decentralized, and self-sovereign.
The odds may be slim, but the impact is real. Every solo miner strengthens the network’s diversity. Every block found proves it’s still possible. And every Bitaxe plugged in at home is a quiet vote for freedom, curiosity, and innovation.
So whether you’re in it for the challenge, the thrill, or the principles - solo mining is more than a gamble. It’s a statement.
Ready to take your shot at solo mining? Check out Bitaxe Gamma 60 and NerdQaxe++ solo Bitcoin miners today and start mining from home.
Every block could be life-changing - will you be the next big winner?
