ViaBTC Review: A Pool With Three Payout Schemes to Choose From

ViaBTC is the third-largest pool worldwide by Bitcoin hashrate and the largest in Europe and the CIS region. The pool's standout feature is the choice between three payout schemes for different risk profiles, from maximally stable to maximally potentially profitable. Here's how it works and who it's a good fit for.

Three Payout Schemes to Choose From

Unlike most pools with one fixed scheme, ViaBTC lets miners pick one of three options:

• PPS+ (Pay Per Share Plus) - 4% fee. Guaranteed payment based on theoretical probability plus a share of transaction fees. The most stable and predictable scheme, but with the highest fee
• PPLNS (Pay Per Last N Shares) - 2% fee. Income depends on the number of valid shares submitted before the pool finds a block. More volatile income, but the fee is half of PPS+
• SOLO - 1% fee. The miner receives the entire block reward if their own hardware finds a block. Extremely low chance of winning for small hashrate, suitable only for experiments or very large-scale operations

Minimum Payout and Withdrawal

• Minimum BTC payout: 0.001 BTC
• Auto-withdrawal: daily between 10:00 and 18:00 Hong Kong time (GMT+8) once the set threshold is reached
• VIP terms: miners with hashrate above 1 PH/s can get individual terms by arrangement with the pool

What Sets ViaBTC Apart

• Scheme flexibility. The ability to switch between PPS+, PPLNS, and SOLO depending on your strategy - a rare option among major pools
• Strong presence in Europe and CIS. The top pool by hashrate in the region, meaning low latency for miners in that geography
• CoinEx integration. ViaBTC is linked to the CoinEx exchange, simplifying conversion and withdrawal for some users

What to Watch For

• PPS+ is the priciest baseline scheme among top pools. 4% is higher than Antpool, F2Pool, and Luxor
• PPLNS requires understanding the risk. When pool luck fluctuates, income can vary significantly from theoretical expectation on individual days

Who ViaBTC Is For

PPS+ on ViaBTC suits miners who prioritize maximum income predictability and are willing to pay a higher fee for it. PPLNS is the choice for those who want to save on fees and aren't worried about volatility over short periods.

Compare ViaBTC with Antpool, Foundry USA, and F2Pool in our comparison, check out our F2Pool review for a Russian-support alternative, or browse the full list of 12 major pools. Calculate your profitability using POOL BTC's calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch payout schemes after connecting?

Yes, you can change the scheme in your account settings at any time - the switch applies to new calculations, while the accumulated balance under the previous scheme is paid out separately.

Which is better - PPS+ or PPLNS?

On average over a long horizon, PPLNS at 2% fee is more profitable than PPS+ at 4% fee by roughly the fee difference, assuming pool luck doesn't deviate significantly from theory. PPS+ removes that risk at the cost of a higher fee.

Is it worth trying SOLO mining on ViaBTC?

For small hashrate (single-digit TH/s to a few PH/s), the chance of finding a block independently is extremely low - it could take months or years of waiting. SOLO only makes sense at very large hashrate or as an experiment with a clear understanding of the risks.