ETHW Mining Pools Heat Up: F2Pool, Poolin, and Antpool Lead the Charge After Ethereum Merge

The monumental Ethereum Merge has finally happened, transitioning the network to a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism. But for Proof-of-Work (PoW) enthusiasts and miners, the story doesn’t end there. Enter ETHW (EthereumPoW), a fork of the Ethereum blockchain that aims to keep the PoW dream alive. And guess what? Major mining pools are throwing their weight behind it!

What’s the Buzz About ETHW Mining Pools?

If you’ve been following the crypto space, you know the Merge was a game-changer. But for Ethereum miners who invested heavily in hardware, the shift to PoS raised a critical question: what to mine next? ETHW emerged as a potential answer, promising to continue the PoW mining tradition. And now, some of the biggest names in the mining pool industry are stepping up to support it.

• F2Pool: A giant in the mining pool world, F2Pool has officially launched its ETHW mining pool. They’ve even announced that remaining hashrate from their ETH pool is being directed to ETHW. This is a significant move, signaling strong confidence in ETHW’s future. You can check out their official announcement here.
• Antpool: Another powerhouse, Antpool, associated with Bitmain, has also announced the launch of their ETHW mining pool. Antpool’s entry further validates ETHW as a serious contender in the post-Merge mining landscape.
• Poolin: Poolin, also a well-known name in the mining community, has made its ETHW mining pool accessible, according to their website and sales representatives. This adds to the growing list of reputable pools supporting ETHW.

These aren’t just small pools either. F2Pool, for instance, was the second-largest Ethereum mining pool by block share in the past year, according to BTC.com data. Poolin also ranked in the top 10. Their support lends considerable legitimacy and infrastructure to the ETHW network.

The Growing Ranks: 23 Pools and Counting

It’s not just these three giants. According to an ETHW blog post, at least 23 mining pools are now committed to supporting ETHW mining. This widespread support is crucial for the network’s stability and growth. ETHW’s mainnet went live on Thursday, marking the official start of this new chapter for Ethereum PoW.

ETHW Mining Pool Hashrate: Who’s Leading the Pack?

So, who’s currently dominating the ETHW mining pool hashrate? MiningPoolStats data as of Friday morning (Hong Kong time) reveals:

1. F2Pool: Currently holding the top spot as the largest ETHW mining pool by hashrate. This aligns with their early and strong support for ETHW.
2. Woolypooly.com: Coming in second, Woolypooly.com is also demonstrating significant hashrate on the ETHW network.
3. 2miners.com: Rounding out the top three, 2miners.com is another notable pool contributing to ETHW’s hashrate.

The landscape is still evolving, and these rankings could shift as more pools and miners join the ETHW network. It’s worth keeping an eye on MiningPoolStats for the most up-to-date information.

Why ETHW and Why Now?

The Ethereum Merge was a necessary step for the network’s scalability and sustainability. However, it left many miners in a lurch. ETHW offers a lifeline for those who want to continue mining with their existing Ethereum mining hardware. It’s essentially a continuation of the Ethereum PoW chain, allowing miners to repurpose their equipment and potentially earn rewards.

Key Reasons for ETHW’s Emergence:

• Preserving Proof-of-Work: ETHW is fundamentally about maintaining the PoW consensus mechanism, which many believe is more secure and decentralized than PoS.
• Miner Support: It provides a continued revenue stream for Ethereum miners who invested in specialized hardware.
• Community Choice: ETHW represents a choice for those who prefer the original PoW Ethereum chain and its principles.

Is ETHW Mining Profitable? Factors to Consider

Profitability in ETHW mining, like any cryptocurrency mining, is dynamic and depends on several factors:

• ETHW Price: The market value of ETHW is a primary driver of profitability. Higher prices mean greater potential rewards.
• Hashrate and Difficulty: As more miners join ETHW, the network hashrate increases, and so does mining difficulty. This can impact individual miner profitability.
• Mining Pool Fees: Different pools have varying fee structures, which affect your net earnings.
• Electricity Costs: Mining is energy-intensive. Your electricity costs are a significant factor in determining profitability.
• Hardware Efficiency: The efficiency of your mining hardware (hashrate per watt) plays a crucial role in your overall returns.

It’s crucial to do your research, use mining calculators, and monitor network conditions to assess the current and potential profitability of ETHW mining. The early days of ETHW mining might present opportunities, but also higher risks and volatility.

The Road Ahead for ETHW Mining

The support from major mining pools is a positive sign for ETHW’s future. However, the long-term success of ETHW will depend on various factors, including:

• Market Adoption: The demand and adoption of ETHW by users and applications will be critical for its value and sustainability.
• Technological Development: Continued development and innovation on the ETHW chain are essential to keep it competitive and relevant.
• Community Support: A strong and active community is vital for the growth and resilience of any cryptocurrency project.

In Conclusion: ETHW Mining – A New Frontier?

The emergence of ETHW and the rapid support from major mining pools mark an interesting turn in the crypto narrative post-Merge. For miners seeking to continue PoW mining and for those interested in a different vision of Ethereum, ETHW presents a new frontier. Whether it will thrive and become a significant player in the long run remains to be seen. However, the initial momentum and the backing of industry giants like F2Pool, Poolin, and Antpool certainly make ETHW mining a space worth watching closely.