Key Takeaways
- The most successful bitcoin solo miners beat the odds and earn full block rewards, despite large pools dominating the network and most mining activity.
- Solo mining means you keep 100% of the block reward, currently 3.125 BTC plus fees, if your machine finds a valid block.
- Success stories from 2024, 2025, and 2026 show hobbyists with low-powered machines winning entire block rewards worth over $180,000 each.
- These wins usually come through Solo CKPool, which allows individuals to collect full rewards if they solve a block independently.
- Independent miners still account for over 40% of blocks mined, showing that individual participation remains relevant even at current hashrate levels.
Bitcoin mining rigs – often referred to as crypto machines – work around the clock, solving complex problems to earn rewards. Over time, the hash rate on the Bitcoin network has climbed over the years from just a few petahashes per second to over 800 exahashes, driven mostly by large-scale industrial farms.
Major Bitcoin mining pools like Foundry USA and AntPool now dominate the network, making it tough for solo miners to keep up. Most days, it’s the pools that win. But every so often, a person working from home with a basic setup manages to beat the odds and land the full block reward on their own.
A solo Bitcoin miner wins the full block reward by solving a block alone, with no pool to split with. In 2026 that reward sits at 3.125 BTC plus fees, worth roughly $200,000 to $300,000 per block at 2026 prices.
We compiled data on notable solo-mined blocks from mempool.space and ranked the most successful individual miners based on total rewards earned.
Most Successful Solo Bitcoin Miners
Below is a quick look at solo Bitcoin miners, the years they struck blocks, and the BTC rewards they walked away with.
| Miner | Block number | Year | Block reward (in BTC/~USD) | Hardware used |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown Solo CK Miner | 860,749 | 2024 | 3.169 ($181,000) | Unknown miner |
| Unknown Bitaxe Operator | 883,181 | 2024 | 3.150 ($308,000) | Bitaxe (model not specified) |
| Anonymous Solo CK Miner | 875,750 | 2024 | 3.190 ($311,000) | Unknown miner |
| Unknown Solo Miner | 858,978 | 2024 | 3.275 ($199,000) | Unknown miner |
| Solo CKPool hobbyist | 853,742 | 2024 | 3.192 ($206,000) | Unknown miner (3 TH/s hobby setup) |
| Bitaxe Pocket Rig | 887,212 | 2025 | 3.150 ($258,000) | Bitaxe Pocket Rig (480 GH/s) |
| Solo Miner Wins | 910,440 | 2025 | 3.137 ($372,000) | Unknown miner (~9 PH/s) |
| Anonymous Home Setup | 888,737 | 2025 | 3.125 ($265,000) | BTC Apollo Full Node, Apollo Standard, Apollo II Standard, Bitmain S19K Pro |
| Solo Miner Scores Big | 913,632 | 2025 | 3.144 ($344,000) | Unknown miner |
| Another March Triumph | 889,975 | 2025 | 3.149 ($260,000) | Bitaxe Gamma (1.2 TH/s, 18 W) |
| Mined by Chance | 903,883 | 2025 | 3.173 ($274,000) | Unknown miner (larger home setup or small farm) |
| FutureBit Apollo Hobbyist | 881,423 | 2025 | 3.150 ($326,000) | FutureBit Apollo |
| Miner with Small ASIC | 907,283 | 2025 | 3.154 ($210,000) | Small ASIC (~30 W) |
| Solo CKPool Miner With Boosted Hashrate | 899,826 | 2025 | 3.125 ($330,000) | Unknown miner (temporarily boosted via rented hashrate) |
| Solo CKPool Miner Strikes Digital Gold | 913,593 | 2025 | 3.129 ($348,000) | Approx. single Antminer S21 (~200 TH/s) |
| A Bitcoin Jackpot | 920,440 | 2025 | 3.151 ($347,000) | Unknown miner |
| Solo Miner With Six TH/s Hashrate | 924,569 | 2025 | 3.146 ($264,558) | Unknown miner (6 TH/s setup) |
| Surprise Win For Solo Miner on CKPool | 927,474 | 2025 | 3.141 ($284,661) | Unknown miner (averaged ~75 TH/s) |
| Lucky Strike as Miner Nets Jackpot | 932,129 | 2026 | 3.155 ($291,555) | Unknown solo setup (likely ASIC via NiceHash rental) |
| Solo Miner (NiceHash) | 932,373 | 2026 | 3.157 ($300,000) | NiceHash (rented hashpower) |
| Bitcoin Block Jackpot | 936,100 | 2026 | 3.153 ($213,000) | Rented ~450 PH/s hashrate via AtlasPool |
| Bitcoin Solo Miner | 943,411 | 2026 | 3.139 ($210,000) | Antminer S21 Pro (estimated) |
| Outdated Hardware Proves Valuable | 944306 | 2026 | 3.128 ($222,000) | Bitmain Antminer S17+ (estimated) |
Approximate USD values reflect Bitcoin’s price at the time each mining reward was received.
Unknown Solo CK Miner – 3.169 BTC
In 2024, a miner watched their Solo CK node flash confirmation for block 860,749. Solo CK funnels the entire reward to the individual who solves the block, so this operator collected the full 3.169 BTC (about $181,000 at the time).
That sum combined the 3.125 BTC subsidy with roughly 0.044 BTC in transaction fees. Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s hashrate has climbed to record levels, making solo victories rare; yet this find shows how patience and a bit of luck can pay off. Some analysts even point to lower electricity costs after summer as a small edge for home miners.
Unknown Bitaxe Operator – 3.15 BTC
On February 10, 2024, an unidentified miner using a Bitaxe unit captured block 883,181, earning 3.15 BTC, amounting to $308,000 in subsidies and fees. Marshall Long speculated on X that the operator implemented CKPool without direct ties to Solo CKPool.
Mempool.space data shows the block contained 3,071 transactions, while the network hashrate hovered near 789 EH/s. Despite this massive difficulty, the tiny rig prevailed, illustrating that solo miners can still strike gold under favorable conditions.
Anonymous Solo CK (Solo CKPool) – 3.190 BTC
On December 21, 2024, an anonymous Solo CKPool member solved block 875,750, pocketing 3.19 BTC (3.125 BTC subsidy + 0.065 BTC fees), worth around $311,000. Solo CKPool relays blocks without dividing rewards, so this miner kept every satoshi.
According to the pool’s logs, this was its 282nd solo block, showing how even infrequent wins can yield significant earnings for dedicated operators.
Unknown Solo Miner – 3.275 BTC
On August 29, 2024, a solo miner identified only by an address bested massive pools to solve block 858,978, earning 3.275 BTC (including fees) worth $199,000. The block contained 2,391 transactions, and Bitcoin Magazine celebrated the feat on Twitter, noting that such solo victories occur roughly once every four months. This win highlights that, despite low odds, independent miners can still land significant rewards.
Solo CKPool 3 TH/s hobbyist – 3.192 BTC
On July 24, 2024, a hobbyist with just 3 TH/s of hashpower solved block 853,742, netting 3.192 BTC—about $210,000—after 0.067 BTC in fees. This represented a 1 in 1.2 million daily chance against the network’s 654 EH/s.
Remarkably, the miner had only boosted their hashrate to 3 TH/s in the previous 24 hours, having begun solo mining 19 days earlier. With 290 solo blocks mined by Solo CKPool in that year, half after the April halving, it’s evident that small‑scale setups can still encounter fortunate outcomes.
Bitaxe Pocket Rig – 3.15 BTC
On March 10, 2025, a solo miner using a 480 GH/s Bitaxe pocket rig solved block 887,212 on the Bitcoin network, earning a total of 3.15 BTC, worth about $258,000 at the time.
He routed his device through Solo.CKPool, the mining pool developed by Con Kolivas, lets individuals keep the full block reward. Kolivas highlighted that a 480 GH/s machine has a 1 in 1,000,000 chance of finding a block per day.
For context, large mining outfits run machines above 230,000 GH/s, making this victory a standout example of luck and persistence. Moreover, open‑source builders like “Skot” design these micro rigs to resist mining centralization. However, against all the odds stacked against it, this modest rig defied expectations and struck digital gold.
Solo Miner Wins – 3.137 BTC
A solo miner using CKPool solved block 910,440, earning 3.137 BTC, joining the list of the most successful bitcoin solo miners. The reward combined the standard 3.125 BTC subsidy with about 0.012 BTC in fees. According to CKPool’s records, this was the 305th solo block completed since the pool’s creation. The miner achieved the result on August 17, 2025, while running roughly 9 PH/s, facing steep odds against larger-scale operations.
Anonymous Home Setup – 3.125 BTC
On March 21, 2025, an independent miner turned a $2,500 basement rig—four machines comprising a BTC Apollo Full Node, Apollo Standard, Apollo II Standard, and a Bitmain S19Kpro—into a $265,000 windfall by solving block 888,737.
They pocketed the full 3.125 BTC subsidy and roughly 0.032 BTC in fees. The miner spotted the win on their Apollo dashboard from bed, then confirmed it on BlueWallet, sending ripples of excitement through Crypto Twitter (X).
Solo Miner Scores Big – 3.144 BTC
A solo miner landed block 913,632 for 3.144 BTC. The block held 1,956 transactions, fewer than most solo wins that year, yet still offered a fee boost on top of the subsidy. With odds of only 1 in 50,000 per day, the find was improbable, proving that even tiny, low-power hardware can still secure a place in Bitcoin’s mining history.
Another March Triumph – 3.149 BTC
Running a stock Bitaxe Gamma (1.2 TH/s, 18 W), a solo miner captured block 889,975, earning 3.149 BTC, including fees. With a lighter block of 1,610 transactions, it was the fourth solo win in March 2025. Despite modest hardware and fees, this streak highlighted how even small home setups can defy the odds, proving that solo mining remains possible and decentralization alive.
Mined by Change – 3.173 BTC
On July 4, 2025, a solo miner captured block 903,883, earning 3.173 BTC from 3,949 transactions. Unlike smaller March solo wins, this block highlighted the role of larger home setups or small farms during the post-halving surge, when Bitcoin traded above $110,000. Despite running a more powerful rig, the find was still a rare stroke of luck amid near-total pool dominance, with transaction fees adding a modest boost to the reward.
FutureBit Apollo Hobbyist – 3.150 BTC
On January 30, 2025, a lone FutureBit Apollo rig processed block 881,423 at 01:01 UTC, securing 3.15 BTC—about $326,000—for its operator. Mempool.space records show 1,514 transactions in the block.
Interestingly, this setup had only one prior win: on October 28, 2024, it handled block 867,760 with over 4,834 transactions for 3.16 BTC. The miner had begun solo operations only weeks before, ramping up to near 1 TH/s.Even so, the miner’s consistency paid off again, reminding us that persistence can outmatch sheer scale.
Miner with Small ASIC – 3.154 BTC
A solo miner using CKPool with a small ASIC (~30 W) solved block 907,283, earning 3.154 BTC, including fees. The block carried 4,038 transactions, one of 2025’s highest counts, reflecting heavy network demand. While modest in power, the setup capitalized on a crowded mempool to secure a stronger payout. This win reinforced CKPool’s role in giving independent miners a chance at success, even as post-halving conditions made each block more valuable.
Solo CKPool Miner With Boosted Hashrate – 3.125 BTC
A solo Bitcoin miner struck gold by mining block 899,826 on June 5, 2025, earning a reward valued at approximately $330,000. According to data from memepool.space, the block contained 3,680 transactions, netting the miner 3.125 BTC in base subsidy plus 0.026 BTC in transaction fees. Remarkably, the miner had recently boosted their hashrate to 259 petahashes per second (PH/s)—an exceedingly high rate for solo operations.
According to an X thread by Con Kolivas, the CKPool administrator, this spike likely resulted from rented cloud-based hashrate, directed temporarily toward the pool as a strategic gamble. This win comes as Bitcoin’s mining difficulty reached an all-time high of 126.98 trillion on June 1, making solo successes extremely rare.
22
7
Solo CKPool Miner Strikes Digital Gold – 3.129 BTC
On September 7, 2025, a solo Bitcoin miner achieved the rare feat of solving block 913,593, securing 3.129 BTC worth $348,000. Mining with just 200 TH/s through CKpool, about the power of a single Antminer S21, the miner beat odds of roughly 1 in 36,000 per day. The 227.34 kB block carried a 560.21 kWU weight, with fees totaling 0.004 BTC ($470.72) alongside the 3.125 BTC subsidy. The win highlights that smaller miners can still succeed.
A Bitcoin Jackpot – 3.141 BTC
On October 23, 2025, an anonymous solo miner transformed a $300 home setup into a $347,00 windfall by mining block 920,440. Using a self-hosted Public Pool on an Umbrel node, they secured the full 3.141 BTC reward plus 0.016 BTC in fees, defying 1-in-7-million odds against a 700 EH/s network.
The victory, confirmed via Mempool.space, lit up the crypto community. This rare feat reignited debates on decentralization, proving small-scale miners can still strike gold in Bitcoin’s industrial era.
Solo Miner With Six TH/s Hashrate – 3.146 BTC
On November 11, 2025, a solo miner with a hashrate of six TH/s mined block 924,569 – which resulted in 3.146 BTC, or $264,558. CKPool admin Con Kolivas tweeted that the “extremely lucky miner” had “only a in 180 million chance” of solving the block.
Based on mean data from Glassnode, the global Bitcoin hashrate (seven-day moving average) is roughly 1.05 ZH/s – more than 263.7k times greater than the successful solo miner’s equipment.
Surprise Win For Solo Miner on CKPool – 3.069 BTC
A solo Bitcoin miner stunned the network by solving block 927474 on CKPool, earning a 3.069 BTC reward worth over $280,000. While the miner briefly pointed around 268 TH/s at the pool, historical data shows the actual device averaged just 75 TH/s over the prior seven days.
Against immense network difficulty, the find was an extreme outlier, underscoring how even relatively modest solo setups can, on rare occasions, secure full block rewards through persistence and sheer luck.
Lucky Strike as Miner Nets Jackpot – 3.155 BTC
On January 13, 2026, a solo Bitcoin miner achieved the improbable by solving block 932129. Using NiceHash-rented hashpower, they claimed the full 3.155 BTC reward, 3.125 BTC subsidy plus fees, worth approximately $291,000 at the time.
The win highlighted how platforms like NiceHash enable small-scale miners to compete independently, keeping 100% of rewards instead of sharing with pools. Such events, though statistically unlikely, continue to inspire retail participants in Bitcoin’s decentralized ecosystem.
Solo Miner Bags BTC Reward – 3.157 BTC
Merely two days later, on January 15, 2026, another solo miner triumphed by mining block 932373. Again via NiceHash, they secured 3.157 BTC (3.125 BTC subsidy + fees), valued at approximately $300,000. The block’s coinbase message carried the NiceHash tag, revealing rented computing power turned a modest outlay into a massive payout. Back-to-back solo victories in one week stunned the community, underscoring Bitcoin mining’s lottery-like nature amid pool consolidation.
Solo Miner Lands a Bitcoin Block Jackpot – 3.153 BTC
On February 11, 2026, a solo miner solved block 936100 on the Bitcoin network, earning a total of 3.153 BTC, including 0.028 BTC in transaction fees, worth around $213,000 at the time.
The miner rented roughly 450 PH/s for 90 minutes through AtlasPool, achieving a less than 0.5% probability, specifically, a 0.4485% chance, of finding the block. Despite the steep odds, the block contained 3,278 transactions, turning a short-term rented setup into a rare windfall.
Such solo victories highlight the unpredictable nature of Bitcoin mining, where even brief, modest-scale operations can strike full block rewards normally dominated by large pools and industrial-scale rigs.
Beating All Mining Odds – 3.139 BTC
On a block discovery in 2026, an unidentified solo Bitcoin miner using a modest setup successfully mined block 943411, earning 3.139 BTC, valued at approximately $210,000 in block rewards and fees. Based on community discussion, the miner’s hardware is estimated to be an Antminer S21 Pro or a comparable machine, delivering around 240 TH/s. With current network conditions, a setup of this scale would statistically be expected to find a block only once every 76 years, making the achievement extraordinarily unlikely. Commentators also pointed out the strong return on investment, given the hardware’s estimated market cost of $3,000–$5,000.
Outdated Hardware Proves Valuable – 3.218 BTC
Against the odds, a solo miner successfully secured block 944306 using just 70 TH/s of hashing power. The mining feat earned them a 3.128 BTC reward, which was valued at approximately $222,012 at the time of the win.
Remarkably, the miner utilized a 2019-era Bitmain Antminer S17+ for the task. Although industrial operations now consider this hardware obsolete, it proved sufficient to outmaneuver mining pools and claim the full block reward.
Why Solo Mining Still Works And When It Pays Off
Solo mining still works because Bitcoin’s protocol doesn’t care who solves the puzzle, only that someone does. Every miner, regardless of scale, is effectively guessing numbers. A solo miner with 100 TH/s may have long odds, but the chance isn’t zero. Over time, those rare wins do happen.
However, the trade-off is extreme variance. Pool mining offers smaller, steady payouts by splitting rewards across thousands of contributors. Solo miners, by contrast, get nothing for long stretches until they land a block and earn the entire reward.
Here’s how the two approaches compare using the same hardware:
| Mining Type | Avg. Daily Earnings | Monthly Variance | Pool Fees | Payback Period (Antminer S19K Pro) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pool (100 TH/s) | ~$6.00 | Low | 2–4% | ~20–24 months |
| Solo (100 TH/s) | $0 most days / $250K if lucky | High | 0% | Could be 1 day, or never |
Solo mining only pays off if you win. But it remains a valid path for miners who want full control, don’t mind waiting, and can handle the risk. It’s part math, part patience, and part lottery.
Crypto Mining Basics
Getting into Bitcoin mining? Get up to speed with the best Bitcoin miners on the market.
Why is it So Hard to Mine Bitcoin?
Mining a Bitcoin block feels like a cosmic lottery. Every ten minutes, miners worldwide race to solve a SHA‑256 puzzle; the network adjusts difficulty roughly every two weeks to keep block times near ten minutes.
Consequently, the more hash power you have, the better your odds. Solo rigs with terahash‑level speed face daily win probabilities often below 0.001%. Transaction fees vary unpredictably, so the payoff can fluctuate even when you find a block. As a result, many hobbyists opt into mining pools, where consistent but smaller payouts replace the all‑or‑nothing gamble.
Mining pools help smooth income by letting participants share rewards proportionally to contributed power.
However, that convenience comes at the cost of paying pool fees and splitting block rewards, which solo miners avoid. In short, solo mining demands patience, optimism, and a willingness to play the long game.
Who Mines the Most Blocks on Bitcoin?
While individual miners occasionally capture attention with unexpected block discoveries, the majority—over 60%—of newly mined Bitcoin blocks are produced by just three dominant mining pools. These large organizations combine the computational power and hash rate of numerous individual miners to create more consistent earnings and significantly increase their chances of successfully mining blocks.
Foundry USA (United States): 33%* of blocks
Based in New York, Foundry USA isn’t just a pool, it’s a full-service mining ecosystem. Owned by Digital Currency Group, Foundry provides institutional clients with hardware financing, staking services, and cheap electricity deals. This one-stop-shop approach has become a magnet for professional miners, especially in North America.
Fun fact: Foundry’s rise mirrors the US mining boom post-China’s 2021 mining ban. By early 2023, it helped propel the US to 38% of Bitcoin’s global hash rate. Their secret sauce? Strategic partnerships with renewable energy farms in Texas and Wyoming, where excess wind/solar power keeps costs low.
AntPool (China): 16%* of blocks
AntPool, operated by Chinese hardware manufacturer Bitmain, is the phoenix of mining pools. After China banned crypto mining in 2021, AntPool shifted operations overseas, setting up shop in Kazakhstan, Texas, and Georgia. Despite the crackdown, it remains a top player thanks to Bitmain’s Antminer ASICs—the pickaxes used by ~65% of miners globally.
How they stay ahead: AntPool offers smart mining modes, letting users prioritize high fees or steady payouts. They’ve also dipped into Bitcoin Cash and Litecoin mining, diversifying their crypto portfolio. A recent report revealed that AntPool’s mining farms now run on 40% hydroelectric power, blending profit with sustainability.
F2Pool: 10%* of blocks
Founded in 2013, F2Pool is the wise elder of Bitcoin mining. Known for its under-the-radar style, it’s mined over 1 million BTC since launch—enough to buy a small country. While based in China originally, F2Pool now operates nodes worldwide, including stealthy setups in Iceland and Canada.
Why miners love them: F2Pool charges a flat 2.5% fee – lower than AntPool’s 4% – and pays out rewards hourly. They’re also transparency nerds, offering real-time stats on block luck and hardware efficiency. In 2022, F2Pool made headlines for returning $200,000 in accidentally overpaid fees to users. It was a goodwill move that earned street credibility.
*Pool distribution subject to change.
How Cloud Mining Rig Rentals Changed Solo Mining in 2026
The biggest shift in solo mining over the past 18 months has nothing to do with hardware. Cloud hashrate marketplaces let anyone rent computational power by the hour. NiceHash, AtlasPool, and similar platforms now power a growing share of solo wins.
In February 2026, one miner rented roughly 450 PH/s for 90 minutes through AtlasPool and walked away with 3.153 BTC worth more than $200,000. A single rental returned roughly 2,600 times its cost. We’ve seen a pattern repeat.
- The January 13, 2026 winner of block 932129 used NiceHash-rented hashpower.
- The April 9 winner of block 944306 ran just 70 TH/s, roughly the output of a single 2019-era Antminer S17+.
You no longer need an industrial site or a basement full of ASICs to take a real shot at mining Bitcoin
Closing Thoughts
Solo mining continues to offer a slim but real chance for individuals to compete in Bitcoin mining. Despite the rise of industrial farms and dominant pools, everyday miners with modest setups have still managed to secure full block rewards. These cases highlight the unpredictable nature of proof of work and suggest that the network hasn’t completely closed off to solo efforts.
With tools like Solo CKPool and open-source rigs like Bitaxe and FutureBit, independent miners remain active. While the odds are low, the occasional solo win brings a sense of possibility to a network increasingly driven by scale and specialization.
Keep on Learning!
