Bitcoin mining in 2026 is no longer a solo game. After the 2024 halving cut block rewards to 3.125 BTC, the economics of mining shifted decisively toward scale, efficiency, and collaboration.
With Bitcoin’s network hashrate exceeding 1,010 EH/s and mining difficulty reaching 148 trillion, Bitcoin mining in 2026 operates at unprecedented scale and competition. The network now spans over 100 countries, secures nearly one million mined blocks, and generates billions of dollars in annual miner revenue, while consuming a significant share of global electricity. Under these conditions, solo mining has become statistically impractical for most participants, making mining pools the dominant model for achieving consistent payouts.
For most miners, competing alone is no longer realistic, as 30–60% of gross mining profits can be absorbed by energy costs alone. As a result, mining pools have become the backbone of Bitcoin’s security model, collectively producing the vast majority of new blocks and enabling miners of all sizes to earn steady, predictable payouts by pooling hash power, sharing risk, and optimizing returns in an increasingly industrialized network.
In this guide, you’ll learn what Bitcoin mining pools are and how they work, the best Bitcoin mining pools in 2026, ranked by hashrate and reliability, which BTC mining pools suit beginners vs. advanced miners, how to receive, store, and trade mined BTC on BingX.
What Is a Bitcoin Mining Pool?
A Bitcoin mining pool is a coordinated group of miners who combine their computing power or hashrate to compete more effectively for new Bitcoin blocks. Instead of mining alone or solo mining, which can take months or years to find a block, miners in a pool share both the workload and the rewards, earning smaller but far more consistent BTC payouts based on how much hash power they contribute.
By 2026, more than 95% of all Bitcoin blocks are mined by pools, not solo miners. This shift is driven by hard economics: modern ASIC miners cost thousands of dollars, Bitcoin’s network hashrate has crossed 1,000 EH/s, mining difficulty exceeds 140 trillion, and electricity can consume 30–60% of gross mining revenue. Under these conditions, solo mining is statistically impractical for most individuals, while pools reduce variance and smooth income.
How Bitcoin Mining Pools Work: A Beginner's Guide
Here’s what happens in practice when you join a mining pool:
1. You connect your ASIC miner to a pool server using the pool’s URL and your wallet address.
2. The pool assigns small tasks called “shares”, which are easier versions of Bitcoin’s proof-of-work puzzle.
3. Your miner submits valid shares to prove it is contributing real computational work.
4. When the pool finds a full block, the block reward of 3.125 BTC and transaction fees is credited to the pool.
5. Rewards are distributed automatically, either daily or once you reach a minimum payout threshold.
Instead of waiting years to find a block alone, you receive predictable BTC income proportional to your hashrate contribution.
What Are the Most Common Bitcoin Mining Pool Payout Models?
Most pools use one of these payout systems:
• FPPS (Full Pay-Per-Share): You receive a fixed payout for every valid share plus a share of transaction fees. This offers the most stable and predictable income.
• PPS+ (Pay-Per-Share Plus): Combines fixed block rewards with variable transaction fees. Slightly more variance than FPPS, but often higher upside.
• PPLNS (Pay-Per-Last-N-Shares): Rewards depend on recent share contributions when a block is found. Fees are lower, but payouts fluctuate more, making this better suited for long-term miners.
For beginners in 2026, FPPS or PPS+ pools are generally the safest and easiest starting point, as they minimize income volatility and simplify Bitcoin mining profitability tracking.
What Are the Best Bitcoin Mining Pools in 2026?
Below is a curated list of the best Bitcoin mining pools in 2026, selected based on real-world performance metrics such as hashrate, payout consistency, fees, uptime, and global reliability in today’s post-halving mining environment.
1. Foundry USA
Foundry USA Pool is the largest Bitcoin mining pool by hashrate in 2026, operating as a U.S.-based, institutional-grade pool built specifically for large-scale miners running megawatt-level operations. Backed by Digital Currency Group (DCG), Foundry focuses on security, regulatory alignment, grid integration, and payout stability, serving publicly listed mining firms and industrial operators rather than retail miners.
Key Features
• Estimated BTC hashrate: 280–320 EH/s, around 25–30% of global network share at peak
• Payout model: FPPS
• Fees: Embedded in payout, with no variable fee surprises
• Infrastructure: U.S.-centric with European support, enterprise-grade redundancy
• Operational tools: Integrated with Foundry’s OptiFleet™ and site-operations stack
Pros
• Extremely low payout variance due to massive hashrate concentration
• Institutional uptime standards and hardened security practices
• Strong alignment with U.S. energy markets, including demand-response and ERCOT-style grid programs
• Trusted by public mining companies managing thousands of ASICs
Cons
• High entry requirements and limited access for small miners
• No retail-focused UI or flexible payout customization
• Minimal support for experimental or multi-coin strategies
Best suited for: Publicly listed miners and large institutional operations seeking maximum payout stability, regulatory clarity, and enterprise-grade reliability rather than flexibility or beginner accessibility.
2. AntPool
AntPool is one of the largest and most active Bitcoin mining pools in 2026, operated by Bitmain and tightly integrated with its ASIC hardware ecosystem. With a Bitcoin hashrate of 180 EH/s, roughly 17% of the global network, AntPool delivers frequent block discovery, flexible payout options, and global infrastructure designed to support professional mining farms.
Key Features
• BTC pool hashrate: 181 EH/s
• Network share: 15–18% of total BTC hashrate
• Payout models: FPPS, PPLNS (BTC), with PPS/PPS+ for other PoW assets
• BTC minimum payout: 0.005 BTC
• Fees: 1.5%–2.5% depending on payout model
• Infrastructure: Globally distributed nodes supporting millions of concurrent miners
• Management tools: Sub-accounts, farm-level controls, APIs, mobile apps, real-time alerts
Pros
• High block frequency due to large hashrate concentration
• Deep Bitmain ASIC compatibility (Antminer-first optimization)
• Multiple payout models to balance stability vs. upside
• Transparent, real-time earnings data with daily settlements
Cons
• Centralization concerns due to Bitmain’s vertical integration
• Interface and payout options can feel complex for first-time miners
• Higher minimum BTC payout than beginner-focused pools
Best suited for: Professional and large-scale miners running Bitmain Antminer fleets who want payout flexibility, global reliability, and frequent block rewards, and are comfortable operating within a highly centralized but efficient mining ecosystem.
3. ViaBTC
ViaBTC is one of the largest retail-accessible Bitcoin mining pools in 2026, combining solid hashrate scale with a beginner-friendly interface and fast, predictable payouts. With a BTC pool hashrate of 115 EH/s, around 10–11% of the global network, ViaBTC offers frequent block participation without the institutional barriers seen in top-tier pools like Foundry or AntPool.
Key Features
• BTC pool hashrate: ~114–120 EH/s
• Network difficulty: ~148T (post-halving environment)
• Block reward: 3.125 BTC + fees
• Payout models: PPS+, PPLNS (BTC), SOLO optional
• Minimum BTC payout: 0.001 BTC
• Payment window: Daily settlements (10:00–18:00 HKT)
• Merged mining: BTC + FB, NMC, SYS, ELA
• User base: 1M+ miners across 150+ countries
Pros
• Low minimum payout threshold, ideal for smaller ASIC setups
• Stable daily income visibility with PPS+ payouts
• Smart tools like Smart Mining, Auto Conversion, and Profit Calculator
• Built-in wallet, asset management, and optional crypto loans
• Global node deployment keeps latency and stale shares low
Cons
• At 2-4%, fees are higher than institutional-only pools
• Smaller hashrate than top two pools means slightly higher variance
• Feature-rich dashboard may feel busy for absolute beginners
Best suited for: Retail and mid-scale miners running small to medium ASIC fleets who want predictable BTC payouts, low withdrawal thresholds, and all-in-one mining and asset management without institutional complexity.
4. F2Pool
F2Pool, also known as Discus Fish, is one of the longest-running mining pools in the industry, operating continuously since 2013 and supporting a broad range of Proof-of-Work networks. In 2026, its Bitcoin pool remains among the largest globally, with a BTC hashrate of 110–115 EH/s, representing roughly 10–11% of the total network hashrate, while offering extensive merged-mining options across multiple algorithms.
Key Features
• BTC pool hashrate: 112 EH/s
• Network difficulty: 148T in Bitcoin's post-halving environment
• Block reward: 3.125 BTC + transaction fees
• Payout model: PPS+
• Fees: ~2.5%
• Merged mining: BTC + HTR, ELA, NMC, FB (SHA-256d)
• Supported assets: 30+ PoW coins across SHA-256d, Scrypt, Equihash, Etchash, kHeavyHash, and more
• Global infrastructure: Distributed servers with consistently low stale-share rates
Pros
• Proven operational track record across multiple market cycles
• Strong multi-coin and merged-mining support, improving effective yield
• Reliable uptime with frequent block participation
• Useful tools like PoW rankings and transaction acceleration
Cons
• Fees are higher than some retail-focused pools
• Interface and UX feel dated compared to newer platforms
• Less beginner guidance than ViaBTC or Braiins Pool
Best suited for: Miners who want to mine Bitcoin alongside other PoW coins, benefit from merged mining, and prioritize long-term reliability and asset diversification over the lowest possible fees or a beginner-first experience.
5. EMCD
EMCD is one of the fastest-growing Bitcoin mining pools in 2026, consistently ranked among the top-10 BTC pools globally, with a strong presence in Eastern Europe and expanding global reach. With 35,000+ active miners, 400,000+ ecosystem users, and over 30,000 BTC mined, EMCD differentiates itself by combining low mining fees with a full crypto ecosystem that includes wallets, zero-fee P2P trading, and yield-bearing BTC savings.
Key Features
• BTC pool hashrate: 20–25 EH/s
• Global ranking: Top-10 BTC mining pool by hashrate
• Active miners: 35,000+
• Payout models: FPPS, PPS+, PPLNS
• Pool fees: From 1.5% and up to 4% based on partner terms
• Minimum BTC payout: 0.001 BTC
• Payout frequency: Daily (16:00–17:00 GMT+3)
• Supported coins: BTC + 10+ PoW assets including Litecoin, Dogecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum Classic, Kaspa, and Fractal Bitcoin.
• Security: 2FA, stress-tested systems, AML/CTF compliance
Pros
• Very low entry barrier with one of the lowest BTC payout thresholds
• Cost-efficient mining for small and mid-scale ASIC operators
• Built-in Coinhold savings offering up to 9–14% APY on mined BTC
• Zero-fee P2P exchange for direct asset swaps
• Beginner-friendly mobile apps, real-time analytics, and watcher links
• 24/7 live support and one of the largest active mining communities
Cons
• Smaller BTC hashrate than top-tier institutional pools
• Fiat off-ramps and regional availability can be limited
• Fee variability depending on partner arrangements
Best suited for: Cost-conscious miners and beginners running small to mid-sized ASIC setups who want low fees, fast payouts, and an all-in-one mining + earning ecosystem rather than pure hashrate dominance.
6. Binance Pool
Binance Pool is a BTC mining pool tightly integrated with the Binance exchange ecosystem, allowing miners to move seamlessly from block rewards to trading, hedging, or yield products without leaving the platform. In 2026, Binance Pool operates with a BTC hashrate of 80–85 EH/s, representing roughly 7–8% of the global Bitcoin network, and is designed for miners who prioritize liquidity and capital efficiency over maximum decentralization.
Key Features
• BTC pool hashrate: 83–85 EH/s
• Active BTC workers: 230,000+
• Payout models: FPPS, PPS+, PPS, PPLNS
• Settlement: Near-instant, credited directly to Binance accounts
• Infrastructure: Global node deployment with real-time hashrate monitoring
• Security: Binance security stack, real-time auditing, asset safeguards
Pros
• Immediate liquidity, as mined BTC can be traded, converted, or hedged instantly
• Seamless access to spot, futures, options, and yield products
• High uptime and enterprise-grade infrastructure
• No need to manage external wallets initially
Cons
• Higher effective fees, around 2.5%–4%, than independent pools
• Strong custodial and centralization trade-offs
• Less control over payout customization compared to standalone pools
Best suited for: Miners who actively trade or hedge BTC rewards, operate treasury-style strategies, or want fast capital rotation between mining and markets rather than long-term self-custody.
7. Braiins Pool
Formerly known as Slush Pool, Braiins Pool is the longest-running Bitcoin mining pool in the world, operating continuously since 2010 and having mined 1.3 million+ BTC to date. In 2026, it runs a Bitcoin-only FPPS pool with a smaller but highly transparent hashrate, making it a preferred choice for miners who prioritize verifiable payouts, open-source tooling, and decentralization over raw scale.
Key Features
• Current pool hashrate: ~7–15 EH/s (≈0.7–1.5% of global network)
• Active workers: ~55,000–60,000
• Reward system: FPPS (block subsidy + transaction fees included)
• Fees: ~2.5% standard, 0% pool fee when using BraiinsOS+
• Payouts: Customizable schedules + Lightning Network payouts
• Pool scope: BTC-only, non-KYC
Pros
• Fully transparent reward calculations and real-time pool stats
• Open-source ecosystem, including BraiinsOS+, Stratum V2, APIs
• Extremely low minimum payouts, suitable for small operators
• Advanced tooling for performance tuning, monitoring, and data export
Cons
• Smaller hashrate leads to higher payout variance than mega-pools
• Bitcoin-only; no multi-coin or merged mining options
• Less attractive for miners optimizing purely for short-term consistency
Best suited for: Technically savvy, decentralization-minded miners and long-term BTC holders who value open infrastructure, self-custody, and protocol-level transparency over maximum scale.
What Are the Best Beginner-Friendly Bitcoin Mining Pools in 2026?
If you’re new to Bitcoin mining, the goal isn’t maximizing upside; it’s reducing payout volatility, minimizing setup friction, and getting paid consistently. In practice, that means choosing pools with FPPS or PPS+ payouts, low minimum withdrawal thresholds, clear dashboards, and reliable uptime.
Below are the most beginner-friendly BTC mining pools in 2026, based on real-world usability rather than raw hashrate alone:
1. ViaBTC is the best overall choice for new miners, offering PPS+ payouts, an intuitive dashboard, and reliable daily BTC rewards with low setup complexity.
2. Binance Pool is best for convenience and liquidity, as mined BTC is credited directly to an exchange account for instant trading, conversion, or hedging.
3. Braiins Pool is ideal for learning mining fundamentals, providing transparent FPPS payouts, low withdrawal thresholds, and open-source tools that help beginners understand how Bitcoin mining actually works.
How to Get Started With Bitcoin Mining Using a Pool
Getting started with Bitcoin mining via a pool in 2026 is straightforward, but it requires the right hardware, setup, and expectations. Here’s a practical, beginner-friendly walkthrough:
1. Get ASIC mining hardware: Bitcoin can only be mined profitably with ASIC miners, such as Antminer or WhatsMiner. In 2026, efficiency (J/TH) matters more than raw hashrate due to high network difficulty.
2. Choose a reliable mining pool: Select a pool based on payout model (FPPS or PPS+), fees, minimum payout threshold, and geographic server location. Pools help smooth income by distributing rewards daily or automatically once thresholds are met.
3. Create a pool account and wallet address: Register on the pool’s website and add a Bitcoin payout address like self-custody wallet or exchange account, depending on your preference.
4. Configure your ASIC miner: Enter the pool’s Stratum URL, worker name, and password into your miner’s control panel. Most pools provide step-by-step setup guides for common ASIC models.
5. Start mining and monitor performance: Once connected, your miner submits “shares” to the pool. Use the pool dashboard to track hashrate, uptime, rejection rate, and daily BTC earnings.
6. Receive payouts automatically: Mining rewards are distributed according to the pool’s payout model. You’ll receive BTC daily or when the minimum payout threshold is reached, reducing the income volatility of solo mining.
Bottom line: In a post-halving environment, mining via a pool is the only realistic way for most miners to earn consistent Bitcoin rewards without industrial-scale infrastructure.
What Are the Key Factors to Compare Before Joining a Mining Pool?
Before committing your hashpower, it’s important to compare mining pools on real profitability, payout reliability, and operational efficiency, not just brand recognition.
1. Fees vs. Net Payout: A lower fee does not automatically mean higher earnings. Compare net BTC earned per TH/s under FPPS or PPS+ models, including how transaction fees are handled.
2. Pool Hashrate: Large pools deliver more consistent, low-variance payouts, while smaller pools introduce higher variance but contribute to better network decentralization over time.
3. Payout Thresholds: Pools with low minimum payouts reduce waiting time for withdrawals and lower counterparty risk, which matters in volatile markets or during pool outages.
4. Server Location: Choosing a pool with servers geographically close to your mining site reduces latency, minimizes stale shares, and directly improves effective hashrate efficiency.
Cloud Mining vs. Mining Pools: What’s the Best Way to Mine Bitcoin?
In 2026, the choice between cloud mining and mining through a pool comes down to control, cost transparency, and risk.
Mining via a pool means you own or host ASIC hardware and connect it to a pool to receive steady BTC payouts. While it requires upfront hardware and electricity costs, it offers full control over operations, transparent economics, and long-term upside if Bitcoin prices rise or efficiency improves.
Cloud mining, by contrast, involves renting hashrate from a provider for a fixed period. It removes hardware complexity but introduces counterparty risk, opaque pricing, and thin profit margins, especially after the 2024 halving reduced block rewards to 3.125 BTC and increased competition.
Bottom line: For most miners in 2026, owning ASICs and mining through a reputable pool is the most reliable and transparent way to mine BTC, while cloud mining is best viewed as a convenience product with higher risk and limited upside.
How to Store and Use Your Mined Bitcoin
Once you receive BTC from mining:
Option 1: Store on BingX (Recommended)
After receiving BTC from a mining pool, you can deposit it directly into your BingX account for secure custody, fast confirmations, and immediate usability. Storing BTC on BingX makes it easy to convert to USDT, manage portfolio risk, and access trading tools without moving funds between wallets, reducing friction and downtime.
Option 2: Self-Custody Wallets
For long-term holding, you can transfer BTC to a self-custody software wallet or a Bitcoin hardware wallet for maximum control and security, with the trade-off of full responsibility for private keys and backups.
How to Trade Bitcoin on BingX
Once your BTC is on BingX, you can trade BTC/USDT on the Spot market for direct buying and selling, or use BTC Futures to hedge mining revenue, manage downside risk, or express directional views with leverage. BingX also offers BingX AI tools, including market insights and strategy assistance, to help miners and traders make data-driven decisions across spot and derivatives markets.
Are Bitcoin Mining Pools Still Profitable in 2026?
Bitcoin mining pools can still be profitable in 2026, but profitability is highly conditional. With block rewards fixed at 3.125 BTC, network difficulty near all-time highs, and global hashrate exceeding 1,000 EH/s, mining returns now depend primarily on ASIC efficiency (J/TH), electricity cost per kWh, and the pool’s payout model, such as FPPS or PPS+. Miners running modern hardware with competitive power rates and low pool fees can still generate steady BTC flow, while inefficient setups are quickly priced out.
For most individuals, Bitcoin mining in 2026 is best viewed as an operational efficiency business, not a passive income strategy. Many miners actively compare expected BTC earned per TH/s against simply buying BTC on BingX via spot trading or using DCA, which avoids hardware, maintenance, and energy risk. In practice, mining makes the most sense if you already have cheap power, access to efficient ASICs, and a long-term BTC accumulation mindset.
Final Thoughts: Should You Mine BTC via Mining Pools in 2026?
Bitcoin mining pools remain a core pillar of network security and block production in 2026, even as industrial-scale miners control the majority of global hashrate. For smaller and independent miners, pools still provide a viable way to participate, but only with careful pool selection, efficient hardware, and disciplined cost control.
If you choose to mine, focus on uptime, transparent payout models, low withdrawal thresholds, and regular withdrawals to a secure wallet or a trading platform like BingX. Start with a small allocation, track actual BTC earned per TH/s, and reassess profitability as network difficulty, energy costs, and BTC price conditions change.
Risk reminder: Bitcoin mining is not a guaranteed return strategy. Revenue can fluctuate with price volatility, difficulty adjustments, hardware degradation, regulatory changes, and pool-level risks. For many users, mining works best as a complement to spot buying, DCA, or trading, rather than a replacement, provided it’s approached with realistic expectations and active risk management.