Ethereum mining once offered an accessible way for individuals to generate passive income using idle GPU power. While Ethereum has transitioned to a proof-of-stake model and no longer supports traditional mining, this guide serves as a historical and educational resource for understanding how GPU-based mining worked—and how similar principles apply to other mineable cryptocurrencies today.
Whether you're revisiting old strategies or exploring alternatives like dual mining or other proof-of-work blockchains, this article breaks down the essential steps, tools, and optimizations that once powered ETH mining setups.
Why Ethereum Mining Was Popular
Before the Merge in 2022, Ethereum relied on a proof-of-work (PoW) consensus mechanism, allowing users to mine ETH using powerful graphics cards. Many turned to mining as a way to monetize unused hardware—especially high-performance GPUs like the RTX 2080 Super.
The appeal? Minimal setup time, automated earnings, and full integration with major exchanges like Binance. Even today, these concepts remain relevant for those mining other PoW coins such as Ravencoin, Ergo, or Beam.
Core Keywords: Ethereum mining, GPU mining, passive income crypto, mining tutorial, Binance pool, Gminer setup, T-Rex miner
Prerequisites for Mining (Historical Context)
Although Ethereum can no longer be mined, the following requirements were essential during its PoW era:
- A desktop computer with stable internet
- A capable GPU (e.g., NVIDIA RTX series)
- Updated graphics drivers
- A cryptocurrency exchange account (for payout and conversion)
👉 Discover how modern crypto platforms simplify digital asset management — even after mining ends.
While Binance was a popular choice due to its integrated mining pool and seamless fund transfers, users today should look for similar features in platforms supporting active mining ecosystems.
Setting Up Your Mining Wallet
In the past, miners created dedicated wallet addresses within Binance Pool to receive payouts. Here’s how it worked:
- Log into your Binance account.
- Navigate to Binance Pool.
- Go to Account Management and create a new mining wallet.
- Assign a label (optional) and save.
This wallet address served as the destination for all mined tokens. Since payouts were processed daily at 8:00 AM UTC—with potential delays up to several hours—monitoring the dashboard was key for tracking performance.
Today, similar wallet configurations are used when mining alternative coins through pools that support direct exchange deposits.
Choosing and Configuring Mining Software
With Claymore’s Dual Miner discontinued, efficient alternatives emerged:
- Gminer – Lightweight, optimized for NVIDIA GPUs
- T-Rex Miner – High performance, frequent updates
We’ll walk through setting up Gminer:
Step 1: Download the Software
Visit the official GitHub repository and download the latest release of Gminer.
Step 2: Extract and Locate the ETH Script
After extraction, open the mine_eth.bat file in a text editor (like Notepad).
You’d see a command line similar to:
miner.exe --algo ethash --server [pool_address] --user [wallet_address.worker_name]Replace placeholders:
[pool_address]: The closest Binance Pool server (e.g.,ethash.poolbinance.com:8888)[wallet_address]: Your Binance mining walletworker_name: A custom name for your rig (e.g., "LivingRoomRig")
Step 3: Fix Connection Issues (Pro Tip)
Some users experienced rejected shares due to DNS resolution problems. A workaround involved replacing the domain with its IP address:
👉 Learn how network optimization impacts blockchain interactions — just like it did in mining.
Use Google DNS (8.8.8.8) or similar tools to resolve the IP behind ethash.poolbinance.com, then update the server entry accordingly. This often reduced rejection rates significantly.
Step 4: Launch and Monitor
Run the batch file. If successful, you’d see real-time hash rate data and accepted shares.
Wait 15–20 minutes before checking Binance Pool for live stats, as updates weren’t instant.
Maximizing Mining Efficiency
Once basic operations were stable, advanced users optimized further:
GPU Overclocking
Tweaking core clock, memory clock, and power limits boosted hash rates without requiring additional hardware. Tools like MSI Afterburner allowed fine control over GPU performance.
Higher efficiency meant more hashes per second—and higher daily earnings—while maintaining thermal safety.
Dual Mining Strategies
Platforms like EZIL.me enabled dual mining ETH + ZIL simultaneously, leveraging underused computational resources for extra yield. Though profitability varied, it was a clever way to maximize returns from a single rig.
While Ethereum itself is no longer mineable, dual mining remains viable on certain algorithms and coins, especially those designed for memory-hard hashing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I still mine Ethereum in 2025?
A: No. Ethereum completed "The Merge" in September 2022, switching from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake. Traditional GPU mining is no longer possible.
Q: What happened to my mining rig after The Merge?
A: Many miners repurposed their rigs for other PoW coins like Ravencoin (KawPow), Ergo (Autolykos), or Beam (BeamHash). Some sold hardware or shifted to staking.
Q: Are there any risks involved in crypto mining?
A: Yes. Risks include hardware overheating, electricity costs exceeding profits, firmware vulnerabilities in miners, and market volatility affecting coin value.
Q: Is cloud mining a good alternative?
A: It depends. While convenient, many cloud mining services lack transparency or operate as scams. Always research providers thoroughly before investing.
Q: How did Binance Pool simplify mining?
A: Binance Pool allowed direct deposit of mined assets into exchange wallets, enabling quick conversion to stablecoins like USDT and low-cost withdrawals via TRC20.
Q: Can I use OKX instead of Binance for mining payouts?
A: Absolutely. OKX supports various mineable tokens and offers competitive withdrawal fees, making it a solid option for managing post-mining crypto income.
👉 See how OKX supports next-gen crypto strategies beyond mining — including staking and yield farming.
Final Thoughts
Though Ethereum mining is now part of blockchain history, the skills and knowledge gained remain valuable. Understanding hash rates, pool dynamics, wallet integration, and optimization techniques prepares you for future opportunities in decentralized networks.
Whether you're exploring alternative mineable cryptocurrencies or transitioning into staking and DeFi, the core principle remains: use available resources efficiently to generate digital income.
For those who dabbled in ETH mining back in 2021, this guide honors that era while guiding you toward modern applications of passive income in crypto.
Remember: technology evolves fast—but smart adaptation ensures long-term success in the digital asset space.