Ethereum Classic (ETC) Mining Guide: How to Mine ETC & Is It Profitable?

Ethereum Classic (ETC) remains one of the most compelling proof-of-work (PoW) cryptocurrencies for miners seeking accessible and decentralized opportunities. As a direct continuation of the original Ethereum blockchain, ETC preserves the foundational principles of immutability and open participation. Unlike Ethereum, which transitioned to proof-of-stake (PoS), Ethereum Classic continues to support mining via GPU and ASIC hardware, making it an attractive option for both hobbyists and experienced miners.

This comprehensive guide walks you through everything you need to know about ETC mining, from setup and software selection to profitability insights and security best practices.

What Do You Need to Start Mining ETC?

Before launching into mining, it’s essential to prepare the right tools and infrastructure. Here's a step-by-step breakdown of what you'll need:

1. Set Up an ETC Mining Wallet

To receive your mining rewards, you must have a secure wallet that supports Ethereum Classic (ETC), not Ethereum (ETH). While they share technical similarities, ETC and ETH are separate blockchains with distinct tokens.

Popular wallets compatible with ETC include:

• Trust Wallet – Mobile-friendly and user-centric
• Exodus – Offers built-in exchange features
• Ledger – Hardware wallet for cold storage security
• Trezor – Another trusted hardware option

Ensure your wallet generates an ETC-compatible address (starting with 0x) and verify all transaction details before sending or receiving funds.

👉 Discover secure ways to manage your digital assets today.

2. Choose Your Mining Hardware

Ethereum Classic is primarily mined using GPUs, though ASIC miners are also supported. The network’s resistance to full ASIC dominance allows individual miners to remain competitive.

Recommended hardware options:

• NVIDIA GPUs: Models like the GTX 1080, RTX 3060 Ti, and RTX 3070 offer excellent hashrates and power efficiency.
• AMD GPUs: Cards such as the RX 5700 XT or RX 6700 XT can be effective, though generally less efficient than NVIDIA counterparts for ETC mining.

A minimum of 4GB VRAM is required per GPU. Advanced setups often use rigs with multiple GPUs—common configurations support up to six graphics cards on a single motherboard.

3. Select Mining Software

The right mining software maximizes your hardware performance and simplifies connection to mining pools.

Top ETC mining software includes:

• Ethminer – Open-source, cross-platform, ideal for Linux users
• GMiner / NBMiner – High-efficiency tools supporting both NVIDIA and AMD GPUs
• MinerGate – Beginner-friendly GUI with easy setup (lower profitability)
• Claymore Dual Miner – Widely used for dual mining (e.g., ETC + Siacoin)

For most users, Claymore or NBMiner provides the best balance between ease of use and performance optimization.

Example configuration command:

EthDcrMiner64.exe -epool eu1-etc.ethermine.org:4444 -ewal YOUR_ETC_ADDRESS -epsw x -eworker rig1

Replace YOUR_ETC_ADDRESS with your actual wallet address and adjust the pool URL accordingly.

4. Join a Mining Pool or Mine Solo?

While solo mining offers full block rewards, the probability of finding a block is extremely low without massive hashpower. Most miners choose mining pools to ensure consistent returns.

Popular ETC mining pools:

• Ethermine.org
• f2pool
• Nanopool
• MiningPoolHub
• 2Miners

Pools typically charge a small fee (1–3%) but provide regular payouts based on contributed hashpower.

Pool connection example (f2pool):

• Server: stratum+tcp://etc.f2pool.com:8118
• Username: your_wallet_address.worker_name
• Password: x (or custom)

Most pools offer dashboards to track real-time stats like hash rate, shares, and estimated earnings.

5. Optimize Your Mining Setup

Maximize efficiency and longevity with these optimization tips:

• Overclocking: Fine-tune GPU core and memory clocks to boost performance without instability.
• Cooling: Maintain proper airflow; consider open-air rigs or dedicated cooling systems.
• Power Management: Adjust voltage settings to reduce power draw while preserving hashrate.
• Monitoring Tools: Use software like MSI Afterburner or HWInfo for real-time system tracking.

Alternatively, if managing physical hardware isn’t feasible, explore cloud mining services—though due diligence is critical to avoid scams.

Step-by-Step ETC Mining Tutorial Using Nanopool

Let’s walk through a practical setup using Nanopool, one of the most reliable ETC mining pools.

1. Visit nanopool.org and click “Quick Start” under Ethereum Classic.
2. Choose your GPU brand (NVIDIA or AMD).
3. Download the recommended miner (e.g., Claymore Dual Miner).
4. Extract the files into a dedicated folder.
5. Return to Nanopool’s Quick Start page and generate a configuration file.

6. Fill in:

   • Your ETC wallet address
   • Worker name (e.g., rig1)
   • Secondary coin (Siacoin or PascalCoin) and its wallet address (required field)
7. Download the generated .zip file containing start.bat, epools.txt, etc.
8. Extract these into your miner folder, overwriting existing files if prompted.
9. Double-click start.bat to launch the miner.

If configured correctly, the miner will connect to the pool and begin hashing. Within minutes, you should see accepted shares on your Nanopool dashboard.

👉 Learn how to monitor and grow your crypto earnings effectively.

How to Secure Your ETC Mining Rewards

Mining makes you a target for cyber threats. Protect your investment with these security practices:

• Use strong, unique passwords for wallets and pools.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever available.
• Keep mining software updated to patch vulnerabilities.
• Avoid downloading miners from untrusted sources.
• Regularly back up wallet keys and store them offline.

Never share your private keys or seed phrases with anyone.

Advantages of Mining Ethereum Classic (ETC)

Why choose ETC over other PoW coins?

• ✅ Decentralized & Censorship-Resistant – No central authority controls the network.
• ✅ GPU-Friendly Algorithm – Still accessible to individual miners without massive ASIC farms.
• ✅ Active Development Community – Ongoing improvements and protocol upgrades.
• ✅ Lower Entry Barrier – Compared to Bitcoin mining, setup costs are significantly lower.
• ✅ Stable Network Difficulty – Less volatile than newer altcoins, offering predictable returns.

Additionally, ETC supports smart contracts and dApps, adding utility beyond simple transactions.

What Is Ethereum Classic (ETC)?

Ethereum Classic emerged in 2016 following a major hack on The DAO—a decentralized venture fund built on Ethereum. In response, the Ethereum community voted to reverse the transaction via a hard fork, creating what we now know as Ethereum (ETH).

However, a faction of developers and miners believed in preserving blockchain immutability at all costs. They rejected the fork and continued operating on the original chain—this became Ethereum Classic (ETC).

Since then, ETC has maintained its commitment to decentralization and proof-of-work consensus. Even after Ethereum’s shift to PoS in 2022, ETC remains a true PoW blockchain where anyone can participate in securing the network through mining.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is ETC mining still profitable in 2025?

Yes, depending on electricity costs, hardware efficiency, and market price. With moderate power rates (~$0.10/kWh) and modern GPUs, many miners achieve positive ROI within months.

Q: Can I mine ETC with ASIC miners?

Yes, ASICs like Innosilicon A10 Pro can mine ETC, but GPU mining remains dominant due to flexibility and availability.

Q: Does Ethereum Classic plan to switch to proof-of-stake?

No official plans exist. The core development team reaffirms its commitment to PoW as a cornerstone of decentralization.

Q: How often are ETC blocks mined?

Approximately every 13–15 seconds, with a block reward of 2.56 ETC.

Q: Why does Nanopool require a secondary coin?

Claymore’s dual-mining feature requires a secondary algorithm. You can mine Siacoin or PascalCoin alongside ETC—revenue is minimal but helps cover pool fees.

Q: Where can I check my mining earnings?

Most pools provide real-time dashboards using your wallet address. Just enter it on sites like ethermine.org or nanopool.org.

Final Thoughts

Mining Ethereum Classic offers a viable entry point into cryptocurrency mining with relatively low barriers to entry. Whether you're building your first rig or expanding an existing operation, ETC delivers consistent rewards, strong community support, and alignment with decentralized ideals.

With careful planning, optimized hardware, and secure practices, you can turn your computing power into tangible digital assets.

👉 Start exploring how blockchain technology can work for you—securely and efficiently.