What to mine in 2025? The 5 options still making waves

Mining is no longer what it used to be, but it’s not dead either. With electricity costs soaring and hardware getting more expensive, the million-dollar question is: Is there still money in this? The answer is yes, but you need to choose wisely.

The 2025 Outlook

Bitcoin remains king, but it’s the toughest to compete with. You need top-of-the-line ASICs and access to cheap energy. If you meet these requirements, BTC retains value because it’s still digital gold. The 2024 halving made supply even scarcer, so long-term mining makes sense.

Monero is the choice for the budget-conscious. XMR resists ASICs, so with a decent CPU or GPU, you can compete without breaking the bank. The RandomX algorithm favors independent miners over massive farms. Plus, continuous emission means rewards are always available.

Viable Alternatives

Litecoin is the silver to Bitcoin’s gold: faster and cheaper to mine. It requires Scrypt ASICs, but competition is lower than BTC. Joining a mining pool gives you real chances of profitability.

Zcash focuses on privacy with zk-SNARKs. ASICs exist, but GPUs still compete, especially with Equihash. If demand for privacy increases, ZEC could surprise us.

Ethereum Classic is the refuge for GPU miners post-Merge. ETC remains Proof of Work while ETH moved to staking. It’s predictable, doesn’t require cutting-edge hardware, and has sufficient liquidity.

What Really Matters

• Cheap electricity = profit. This is #1. Without access to renewable energy or low rates, forget it.
• Mining pools are almost mandatory (unless you’re a large farm). They stabilize your rewards.
• Keep your hardware cool. Good ventilation = fewer failures, more gains.
• Monitor the market constantly. Cryptocurrency prices change rapidly.

The Truth

In 2025, mining remains viable but demanding. BTC is secure but expensive, Monero and Zcash are democratic, Litecoin is stable, ETC is a refuge. Choose based on your budget, hardware, and risk tolerance. And remember: what works today might not in 2026, so stay alert.