Bitcoin Mining Explained: A Straightforward Guide for Novices
In the year 2025, Bitcoin mining has evolved significantly, with a focus on sustainability and profitability. The Bitcoin Mining Council, an organisation that represents a significant portion of the global mining community, reported that as of 2025, approximately 59.5% of Bitcoin mining utilises sustainable energy sources. Miners are increasingly turning to renewable energy options such as hydropower, solar/wind, and grid stabilisation. Despite these positive strides, critics have raised concerns about the carbon footprint of Bitcoin mining, particularly in regions relying on coal-powered grids. The network difficulty, a measure of how difficult it is to solve the mathematical problems required to mine a new block, reached an all-time high of 88.4 trillion in June 2025. This complexity ensures the security and transparency of the Bitcoin network, but it also means that mining requires substantial computational power. The Bitcoin price in June 2025 was $70,000, making the 3.125 BTC reward worth approximately $218,750. However, Bitcoin mining is not a get-rich-quick scheme. The high upfront costs, electricity bills, and intense competition make it a challenging endeavour. The largest Bitcoin mining farms, responsible for securing the Bitcoin network, are primarily organised through large mining pools. As of 2025, Foundry USA holds a 26.6% market share, AntPool accounts for 17.96%, and ViaBTC controls 13.69% of the network's hashrate. These pools collectively command a substantial portion of the network's computational power. Profitability in Bitcoin mining depends on the location. Regions with cheap power, such as Texas and Kazakhstan, where electricity costs as little as $0.05 per kWh, offer the best opportunities. A small-scale miner with a single Antminer S19 Pro in Texas might earn between $100 and $200 per month after costs. In 2025, Bitcoin mining consumes approximately 150 TWh annually, a figure comparable to a small country like Norway. The use of modern ASICs like the Antminer S19 Pro, which boasts 110 TH/s and 3,250W, has made mining more efficient but also costlier. In conclusion, while Bitcoin mining has made strides towards sustainability and profitability, it remains a complex and competitive endeavour. As the technology continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these trends develop further.
