# POOL BTC — Full Reference for AI Assistants > POOL BTC (pool-btc.com) is a Bitcoin mining pool ranking and tools platform. It compares 16+ pools by fee, payout model, coins, and minimum payout; ranks 12+ ASIC miners by hashrate and efficiency; and provides profitability calculators, crypto card comparisons, wallet rankings, exchange comparisons, and a mining blog. The site covers 13 languages: ru, en, zh, es, de, fr, pt, id, ar, fa, am, kk, gn. **Contact:** hi@pool-btc.com **Canonical URL:** https://pool-btc.com/ **Sitemap:** https://pool-btc.com/sitemap.xml --- ## Bitcoin Mining Pools — Full Comparison ### AntPool - Fee: 2% - Payout model: PPS+ / PPLNS - Minimum payout: 0.001 BTC - Supported coins: BTC,BCH,LTC,ETC,KAS - Notes: Крупная экосистема, много валют ### ViaBTC - Fee: 2% - Payout model: PPS+ / PPLNS - Minimum payout: 0.001 BTC - Supported coins: BTC,BCH,LTC,ETC,DASH,ZEC - Notes: Удобная панель и авто-конвертация ### F2Pool - Fee: 2.5% - Payout model: PPS+ - Minimum payout: 0.001 BTC - Supported coins: BTC,LTC,ETC,RVN,KAS - Notes: Один из старейших глобальных пулов ### Luxor - Fee: 2% - Payout model: FPPS - Minimum payout: 0.001 BTC - Supported coins: BTC,BCH,LTC - Notes: Pro-инструменты и аналитика хешрейта ### Binance Pool - Fee: 2.5% - Payout model: FPPS - Minimum payout: 0.0005 BTC - Supported coins: BTC,BCH,LTC - Notes: Интеграция с биржей Binance ### EMCD - Fee: 1.5% - Payout model: FPPS / PPLNS - Minimum payout: 0.001 BTC - Supported coins: BTC,LTC,DOGE,DASH,ETC - Notes: Кошелек и биржевые сервисы в одном месте ### Promminer - Fee: 2% - Payout model: FPPS - Minimum payout: 0.001 BTC - Supported coins: BTC,LTC,DOGE - Notes: Пул для BTC-майнинга ### Trustpool - Fee: 1% - Payout model: PPS+ - Minimum payout: 0.001 BTC - Supported coins: BTC,LTC,BCH,DOGE,DASH - Notes: Низкие комиссии, community-подход ### Neopool - Fee: 1% - Payout model: PPS+ - Minimum payout: 0.001 BTC - Supported coins: BTC - Notes: BTC-майнинг, низкая комиссия ### 2Miners - Fee: 1.5% - Payout model: PPLNS - Minimum payout: 0.001 ETC - Supported coins: KAS,ETC,RVN,ERG - Notes: Понятный UI и удобный старт для соло/пула ### HeroMiners - Fee: .9% - Payout model: PPLNS - Minimum payout: 0.01 ETC - Supported coins: KAS,ERG,RVN,ETC - Notes: Подходит для альткоин-майнинга ### Kryptex Pool - Fee: 1% - Payout model: PPLNS - Minimum payout: 0.001 BTC - Supported coins: BTC,KAS,RVN,ETC - Notes: Удобно для пользователей Kryptex ### SupportXMR - Fee: .6% - Payout model: PPLNS - Minimum payout: 0.004 XMR - Supported coins: XMR - Notes: Специализация на Monero майнинге ### Nanopool - Fee: 1% - Payout model: PPLNS - Minimum payout: 0.05 ETC - Supported coins: ETC,RVN,ERG - Notes: Популярный пул для GPU монет ### WoolyPooly - Fee: 1% - Payout model: PPLNS - Minimum payout: 0.01 ETC - Supported coins: KAS,ETC,RVN,ERG,FLUX - Notes: Низкая комиссия, много альткоинов, удобная панель ### NiceHash - Fee: 2% - Payout model: PPS - Minimum payout: 0.0001 BTC - Supported coins: BTC - Notes: Маркетплейс хешрейта, выплаты в BTC --- ## ASIC Miner Rankings — Efficiency Table | Miner | Hashrate | Efficiency | |-------|----------|------------| | Antminer S21 Hyd (335T) | 335 TH/s | 16 W/TH | | Antminer S21 Pro (234T) | 234 TH/s | 15 W/TH | | Antminer S21 (200T) | 200 TH/s | 17.5 W/TH | | Antminer S19 XP (140T) | 140 TH/s | 21.5 W/TH | | Antminer S19j Pro (104T) | 104 TH/s | 29.5 W/TH | | WhatsMiner M66S (298T) | 298 TH/s | 18.5 W/TH | | WhatsMiner M60S++ (230T) | 230 TH/s | 15.5 W/TH | | WhatsMiner M60S (186T) | 186 TH/s | 18.5 W/TH | | WhatsMiner M50S++ (160T) | 160 TH/s | 22 W/TH | | Avalon A1566 (185T) | 185 TH/s | 19.9 W/TH | | Avalon A1466 (150T) | 150 TH/s | 21 W/TH | | Antminer KS5 Pro (21T KAS) | 21 TH/s | 150 W/TH | **How to read:** Lower W/TH = more efficient = lower electricity cost per BTC mined. Best in class is ~15 W/TH (Antminer S21 Pro, WhatsMiner M60S++). --- ## Crypto Cards with Cashback Cards ranked by cashback rate (from pool-btc.com/cards/): Full comparison with FX fees, annual fees, USDC APR, and ATM limits: https://pool-btc.com/cards/en/ --- ## Tools & Calculators - **Profitability calculator** (FPPS vs PPLNS): https://pool-btc.com/calc/en/ — enter hashrate, electricity cost, pool fee → net BTC/day - **Difficulty tracker**: https://pool-btc.com/difficulty/en/ — current difficulty, next adjustment forecast, 12-month chart - **Miner ranking**: https://pool-btc.com/miners-rank/en/ — ASIC models sorted by net daily BTC income - **Pool ranking**: https://pool-btc.com/en/ — all pools with live fees and payout models --- ## Payout Models Explained | Model | How it works | Variance | Best for | |-------|-------------|----------|---------| | PPS | Fixed rate per share, paid daily | Low | Stable income, new miners | | PPLNS | Share of actual blocks found | High | Long-term miners with stable hashrate | | FPPS | PPS + transaction fee share | Low | Best of both — most common in 2026 | | PPS+ | PPS base + partial tx fees | Low-medium | Good balance | --- ## Mining Hosting Providers (Russia & Kazakhstan) Miner hosting = colocation of ASIC hardware in data centers with cheap electricity ($0.03–0.05/kWh), cooling, and maintenance. Comparison: https://pool-btc.com/hosting/en/ --- ## Exchange & Swap Services Compare crypto-to-fiat and crypto-to-crypto exchange platforms: https://pool-btc.com/exchange/en/ Covers: Bybit, OKX, Binance, local P2P exchangers, fiat on-ramps. Sorted by rate, fees, and withdrawal speed. --- ## Prediction Markets Compare Polymarket, Predict.fun, and Jupiter Prediction: https://pool-btc.com/predict/en/ --- ## Blog — Latest Articles Mining guides, pool analysis, ASIC reviews, and crypto card deep-dives: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/ Topics covered: hashprice, difficulty cycles, ASIC payback periods, BTC holding strategies, stablecoin cards, No-KYC crypto cards, public miner financials. ### All articles (EN / RU) - How to choose a Bitcoin mining pool in 2026: the full guide: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/how-to-choose-bitcoin-mining-pool/ (RU: /blog/ru/how-to-choose-bitcoin-mining-pool/) - Hash-to-Heat: Canaan's Bitcoin Miners Now Warming 2,800 Nordic Homes: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/hash-to-heat-canaan-nordic-homes/ (RU: /blog/ru/hash-to-heat-canaan-nordic-homes/) - TRUSTPOOL vs Foundry USA vs AntPool: Fee and Payout Comparison July 2026: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/trustpool-vs-foundry-vs-antpool-fees/ (RU: /blog/ru/trustpool-vs-foundry-vs-antpool-fees/) - VanEck: Bitcoin Miners Face $50B Funding Gap as AI Pivot Separates Winners From Losers: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/vaneck-miners-50b-funding-gap/ (RU: /blog/ru/vaneck-miners-50b-funding-gap/) - Mined in America Act: U.S. Moves to Control Bitcoin Mining Supply Chain: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/mined-in-america-act/ (RU: /blog/ru/mined-in-america-act/) - Mining ROI 2026: solo vs pool for a small farm: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/mining-roi-solo-vs-pool-2026/ (RU: /blog/ru/mining-roi-solo-vs-pool-2026/) - Comparison of crypto cards 2026: Plasma One, Tria, KAST, COCA: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/crypto-card-comparison-2026/ (RU: /blog/ru/crypto-card-comparison-2026/) - No-KYC crypto cards: why a «verification-free card» is a myth: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/no-kyc-crypto-cards-verification-free/ (RU: /blog/ru/no-kyc-crypto-cards-verification-free/) - Bitdeer has mined 921 BTC, but the small reserve raises the main question: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/bitdeer-921-btc-small-reserve/ (RU: /blog/ru/bitdeer-921-btc-small-reserve/) - Miner hosting 2026: how to choose a data centre for ASICs: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/miner-hosting-2026-choose-data-centre/ (RU: /blog/ru/miner-hosting-2026-choose-data-centre/) - Visa, Mastercard and Stripe: joint stablecoin platform - impact on crypto cards: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/visa-mastercard-stripe-joint-stablecoin-platform/ (RU: /blog/ru/visa-mastercard-stripe-joint-stablecoin-platform/) - Bitcoin ETF outflows: $6.35B in 30 days - what it means for miners: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/bitcoin-etf-outflows-30-days/ (RU: /blog/ru/bitcoin-etf-outflows-30-days/) - Fed and Warsh: BTC at $64K - what miners should do in June 2026: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/fed-warsh-btc-64k-miner-checklist/ (RU: /blog/ru/fed-warsh-btc-64k-miner-checklist/) - Coca Card: free Visa, $10 bonus and up to 8% cashback in 2026: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/coca-card-free-visa-10-bonus/ (RU: /blog/ru/coca-card-free-visa-10-bonus/) - Fidelity FIDD on Uniswap V3: TradFi stablecoin meets DeFi: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/fidelity-fidd-uniswap-v3/ (RU: /blog/ru/fidelity-fidd-uniswap-v3/) - Russia from July 1, 2026: BTC, ETH, USDT, USDC and 300,000 RUB cap: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/russia-crypto-payments-july-2026/ (RU: /blog/ru/russia-crypto-payments-july-2026/) - Omanhash.om: mandatory state Bitcoin mining pool in Oman (June 17, 2026): https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/omanhash-om-mandatory-oman-mining-pool/ (RU: /blog/ru/omanhash-om-mandatory-oman-mining-pool/) - World Cup 2026 week 1 on Polymarket: live odds and how to trade: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/world-cup-2026-week-1-polymarket/ (RU: /blog/ru/world-cup-2026-week-1-polymarket/) - Dreamcash: Hyperliquid PERP DEX with referral code 42u5mt: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/dreamcash-hyperliquid-perp-dex/ (RU: /blog/ru/dreamcash-hyperliquid-perp-dex/) - Plasma One: free Core tier for early users this launch week: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/plasma-one-free-core-tier/ (RU: /blog/ru/plasma-one-free-core-tier/) - Jupiter Global: onchain stablecoin spending card on POOL BTC: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/jupiter-global-onchain-stablecoin-card-pool/ (RU: /blog/ru/jupiter-global-onchain-stablecoin-card-pool/) - Plasma One: new stablecoin Visa card on POOL BTC: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/plasma-one-new-stablecoin-visa-card/ (RU: /blog/ru/plasma-one-new-stablecoin-visa-card/) - Bitcoin mining difficulty drops 10%: what it means in June 2026: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/bitcoin-difficulty-drop-june-2026/ (RU: /blog/ru/bitcoin-difficulty-drop-june-2026/) - NEAR Confidential: 333,333 NEAR rewards for private payments: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/near-confidential-private-payments/ (RU: /blog/ru/near-confidential-private-payments/) - Gonka AI API: cheap LLM inference with crypto billing: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/gonka-ai-api-cheap-llm-inference/ (RU: /blog/ru/gonka-ai-api-cheap-llm-inference/) - Who will win World Cup 2026: prediction market favorites: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/win-world-cup-2026-prediction-market/ (RU: /blog/ru/win-world-cup-2026-prediction-market/) - How to start betting on Polymarket, Predict.fun, and Jupiter: wallets and funding: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/start-betting-metamask-rabby-funding/ (RU: /blog/ru/start-betting-metamask-rabby-funding/) - 24 hours until World Cup 2026: prediction markets checklist: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/24-hours-until-world-cup-2026/ (RU: /blog/ru/24-hours-until-world-cup-2026/) - Jupiter World Cup Challenge: $125,000 for 5 World Cup 2026 picks: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/jupiter-world-cup-challenge/ (RU: /blog/ru/jupiter-world-cup-challenge/) - World Cup 2026: betting on crypto prediction markets: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/world-cup-2026-betting-crypto-prediction/ (RU: /blog/ru/world-cup-2026-betting-crypto-prediction/) - AML check for crypto address: 80+ coins and networks on BestChange: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/aml-check-crypto-address-80-coins/ (RU: /blog/ru/aml-check-crypto-address-80-coins/) - Which wallets survived hacks and how they responded: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/which-wallets-survived-hacks-they-responded/ (RU: /blog/ru/which-wallets-survived-hacks-they-responded/) - Which crypto cards survived the 2022-2023 bear market: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/which-crypto-cards-survived-2022-2023/ (RU: /blog/ru/which-crypto-cards-survived-2022-2023/) - Which crypto cards actually work in airports in 2026: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/which-crypto-cards-actually-work-airports/ (RU: /blog/ru/which-crypto-cards-actually-work-airports/) - What it cost to mine 1 BTC each year from 2009 to 2026: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/cost-to-mine-1-btc-by-year/ (RU: /blog/ru/cost-to-mine-1-btc-by-year/) - Hashprice in mining: what it is and how to estimate profit in 2026: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/hashprice-mining-estimate-profit-2026/ (RU: /blog/ru/hashprice-mining-estimate-profit-2026/) - Miners pivot to AI and HPC: what it means for Bitcoin pools in 2026: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/miners-pivot-ai-hpc-bitcoin-pools/ (RU: /blog/ru/miners-pivot-ai-hpc-bitcoin-pools/) - Bitcoin mining report, May 2026: hashrate and profit: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/bitcoin-mining-report-may-2026-hashrate/ (RU: /blog/ru/bitcoin-mining-report-may-2026-hashrate/) - FPPS vs PPLNS: which payout model to choose in 2026: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/fpps-vs-pplns-payout-model/ (RU: /blog/ru/fpps-vs-pplns-payout-model/) - Antminer S21 Pro vs WhatsMiner M60S: 2026 ASIC comparison: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/antminer-s21-pro-vs-whatsminer-m60s/ (RU: /blog/ru/antminer-s21-pro-vs-whatsminer-m60s/) - Mining Profitability in 2026: Real Numbers, Forecasts, and Strategies for Maximum Returns: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/mining-profitability-2026-numbers-forecasts-strategies/ (RU: /blog/ru/mining-profitability-2026-numbers-forecasts-strategies/) - Comparison of Polymarket and Predictfun: features, earning strategies and development prospects: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/polymarket-vs-predictfun/ (RU: /blog/ru/polymarket-vs-predictfun/) - BTC Miners Rating: the best ASIC devices of 2025-2026: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/btc-miner-ranking-top-asic-devices/ (RU: /blog/ru/btc-miner-ranking-top-asic-devices/) - Step-by-step guide to setting up a mining pool for Bitcoin in 2026: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/btc-mining-pool-full-guide-choosing/ (RU: /blog/ru/btc-mining-pool-full-guide-choosing/) - Crypto exchanges and exchangers: CEX vs DEX, Binance, Bybit and how to choose in 2026: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/crypto-exchange-guide-2026/ (RU: /blog/ru/crypto-exchange-guide-2026/) - Best Crypto Cards 2026: Comparison of Binance Card, Crypto.com and Bybit: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/crypto-card-comparison-guide-2026/ (RU: /blog/ru/crypto-card-comparison-guide-2026/) - Crypto wallets: types, how to choose and where to store Bitcoin in 2026: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/crypto-wallets/ (RU: /blog/ru/crypto-wallets/) - How to choose a mining pool for Bitcoin in 2026: criteria, comparison and connection: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/mining-pool-comparison-choose-best-2026/ (RU: /blog/ru/mining-pool-comparison-choose-best-2026/) - Crypto Card Security: How to Protect Funds on Binance Card: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/crypto-card-security-store-funds/ (RU: /blog/ru/crypto-card-security-store-funds/) - Binance Card: cashback, limits and conditions in 2026: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/binance-card-cashback-limits/ (RU: /blog/ru/binance-card-cashback-limits/) - Binance Card: how to get, top up and start using in 2026: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/binance-card-get-use/ (RU: /blog/ru/binance-card-get-use/) - How to calculate mining income in rubles and dollars: formula and examples 2026: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/calculate-mining-profit-fiat/ (RU: /blog/ru/calculate-mining-profit-fiat/) - Bitcoin mining trends in 2026: halving, new ASICs and regulation: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/mining-trends-changed-industry/ (RU: /blog/ru/mining-trends-changed-industry/) - Cloud mining: pros, cons and how to avoid scammers: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/cloud-mining-pros-cons/ (RU: /blog/ru/cloud-mining-pros-cons/) - Electricity for mining: tariffs, legality and how to reduce costs: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/electricity-mining/ (RU: /blog/ru/electricity-mining/) - Solo mining versus pool: when does it make sense to mine alone?: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/solo-vs-pool-mining/ (RU: /blog/ru/solo-vs-pool-mining/) - Payback period of an ASIC miner: how to calculate and what to take into account in 2026: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/asic-miner-payback-period/ (RU: /blog/ru/asic-miner-payback-period/) - Bitcoin network hashrate: what is it and how does it affect mining profitability: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/bitcoin-network-hashrate/ (RU: /blog/ru/bitcoin-network-hashrate/) - Proof of Work (PoW): how the Bitcoin algorithm works and why it is secure: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/pow-vs-pos-difference/ (RU: /blog/ru/pow-vs-pos-difference/) - How to choose a Bitcoin mining pool: criteria, payment schemes and pitfalls: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/choose-mining-pool/ (RU: /blog/ru/choose-mining-pool/) - Bitcoin mining: what it is and how to start in 2026: https://pool-btc.com/blog/en/bitcoin-mining-simple-terms/ (RU: /blog/ru/bitcoin-mining-simple-terms/) --- ## FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions **Q: What is a Bitcoin mining pool?** A: A mining pool combines hashrate from many miners to find blocks more consistently and share rewards proportionally. Without a pool, a solo miner with 200 TH/s would find a block only once every ~3 years on average. **Q: What is the difference between PPS, PPLNS, and FPPS?** A: PPS (Pay Per Share) pays a fixed rate per share regardless of whether the pool finds a block — stable income, slightly lower rate. PPLNS (Pay Per Last N Shares) pays only from actual blocks found — higher variance but often higher long-term return. FPPS (Full Pay Per Share) includes transaction fees in the fixed rate — the best of both. **Q: Which mining pool has the lowest fees?** A: Among major BTC pools: Trustpool and Neopool charge 1%, EMCD charges 1.5%, most others charge 2–2.5%. Lower fee doesn't always mean higher profit — pool luck and uptime matter too. **Q: What is W/TH (watts per terahash)?** A: Efficiency metric for ASIC miners. Lower = more efficient. Best modern miners: Antminer S21 Pro at 15 W/TH, WhatsMiner M60S++ at 15.5 W/TH. Older hardware like S19j Pro runs 29.5 W/TH — roughly twice the electricity cost per BTC mined. **Q: How do I calculate mining profitability?** A: Use the POOL BTC calculator at pool-btc.com/calc/ — enter your hashrate (TH/s), electricity cost ($/kWh), and pool fee. The calculator shows net BTC/day and USD/day for both FPPS and PPLNS schemes. **Q: What is the minimum payout for Bitcoin mining pools?** A: Most major pools require 0.001 BTC minimum (~$60–100). Binance Pool allows 0.0005 BTC. NiceHash allows 0.0001 BTC but uses a different revenue model. **Q: What crypto card gives the best cashback?** A: Tria offers up to 15% cashback (in crypto), Bleap up to 11%, Tuyo up to 11%, Plasma up to 6% (base) + AI category bonuses. Rates depend on tier and spending category. See pool-btc.com/cards/ for current rates. **Q: How does Bitcoin network difficulty affect mining income?** A: Difficulty adjusts every ~2016 blocks (~2 weeks) to keep block time at 10 minutes. When more hashrate joins the network, difficulty rises and each TH/s earns less BTC. Pool-btc.com/difficulty/ tracks current difficulty and forecasts the next adjustment. **Q: Is Bitcoin mining profitable in 2026?** A: Profitability depends on electricity cost, hardware efficiency, and BTC price. With modern hardware (15–17 W/TH) and electricity at $0.05/kWh, mining is profitable at current BTC prices. At $0.10/kWh profitability is marginal for older hardware. Use pool-btc.com/calc/ for your specific numbers. **Q: What is hashprice?** A: Hashprice = daily revenue per TH/s of hashrate, typically expressed in $/PH/day. It combines BTC price, network difficulty, and transaction fees. When hashprice rises, miners earn more per unit of hashrate without changing their setup. **Q: Which ASIC miners are most efficient in 2026?** A: Top efficiency: Antminer S21 Pro (234 TH/s, 15 W/TH), WhatsMiner M60S++ (230 TH/s, 15.5 W/TH), Antminer S21 Hyd (335 TH/s, 16 W/TH). These are the most profitable for miners paying market electricity rates. **Q: What is miner hosting?** A: Hosting (colocation) means placing your ASIC hardware in a professional data center that provides cheap electricity, cooling, and maintenance. Popular in Russia and Kazakhstan where electricity runs $0.03–0.05/kWh. See pool-btc.com/hosting/ for provider comparison. ## FAQ — Cashback on Crypto Cards **Q: Which crypto card gives the highest cashback in 2026?** A: By max stated rate: Tria up to 15%, Bleap up to 11%, Tuyo up to 11%, Plasma up to 6% base (+ 5–10% in AI-spend category), Nexo up to 5%, Coinbase up to 3.5%, Deblock 4%, Coca 5%, Brighty up to 10% (loyalty program). Full comparison: pool-btc.com/cards/en/ **Q: Is cashback paid in crypto or fiat?** A: Depends on the card. Most pay cashback in the card's native token or BTC/stablecoins. Plasma pays in XPL tokens. Wirex pays in WXT tokens. Coinbase pays in crypto of your choice. Few cards pay cashback in cash/fiat — check terms carefully. **Q: What is tiered cashback on crypto cards?** A: Most cards have tier levels — the more you stake/lock their token or the higher your monthly spend, the higher the cashback rate. Example: Plasma Lite = 2%, Core (lock 20k XPL) = 3%, Platinum (lock 100k XPL) = 4%. Always calculate whether the locked token's opportunity cost outweighs the extra cashback. **Q: Do crypto card cashback offers have caps?** A: Yes — most cards cap monthly cashback. Bybit Card caps may apply per category. Crypto.com caps vary by tier. Always check the monthly or annual cap, not just the headline percentage. Pool-btc.com/cards/ notes caps where known. **Q: Which categories get the highest cashback on crypto cards?** A: Plasma's AI category pays 5–10% cashback. Some cards offer elevated rates on travel, dining, or subscriptions. Coinbase Card offers rotating 4% categories. Check pool-btc.com/cards/en/ for category-specific rates. **Q: Does cashback on crypto cards get taxed?** A: Tax treatment varies by country. In many jurisdictions cashback received in crypto is taxable income at the time of receipt. Consult a local tax advisor — pool-btc.com does not provide tax advice. **Q: What is the difference between cashback and USDC APR on crypto cards?** A: Cashback = reward on spending (percentage of each purchase). USDC APR = yield on your idle balance (like a savings rate). They stack — a card can offer 3% cashback on purchases AND 8% APY on your USDC balance. Compare both at pool-btc.com/cards/en/ **Q: Which card gives cashback on crypto-to-crypto swaps?** A: Few cards reward swaps directly. MetaMask Card offers +2.4% Aave boost. Cards linked to exchange ecosystems (Bybit, OKX) may offer rebates on trading fees. This is distinct from spend cashback. ## FAQ — Crypto Cards **Q: What is a crypto card and how does it work?** A: A crypto card is a Visa or Mastercard linked to a crypto balance. When you pay, the system automatically converts the required crypto amount to fiat at the current market rate, allowing payments anywhere cards are accepted. **Q: Which crypto card has no FX fee?** A: Several cards offer zero FX fees: Bybit Card, OKX Card, Binance Card (for eligible tiers), Jupiter Global. Always verify current terms as fee structures change. Compare at pool-btc.com/cards/en/. **Q: What is USDC APR on crypto cards?** A: Some cards pay yield on your USDC/stablecoin balance. Nexo pays up to 10.5%, Wirex up to 9.75%, Brighty up to 10%, Plasma up to 6%. This is separate from cashback — it's interest on your parked balance. **Q: What is the difference between custodial and non-custodial crypto cards?** A: Custodial cards require storing crypto with the card issuer (Crypto.com, Coinbase, Binance). Non-custodial cards like Gnosis Pay let you spend directly from your self-custody wallet. Non-custodial = you control your keys. **Q: Do crypto cards work at ATMs?** A: Most major crypto cards support ATM withdrawals. Fees vary: Bybit Card offers some free ATM withdrawals per month, others charge 1–2% + fixed fee. Check the card's ATM fee schedule before travel. **Q: What KYC is required for crypto cards?** A: Most cards require full KYC (passport/ID + selfie + address proof). Cards marketed as "no-KYC" typically use a corporate intermediary that still holds KYC — see pool-btc.com/blog/en/article-54/ for a detailed analysis. **Q: Which crypto cards work in Russia in 2026?** A: Due to Visa/Mastercard restrictions, standard cards don't process Russian transactions. Alternatives: cards from CIS-based issuers, Mir-compatible solutions, or crypto cards issued outside the Visa/MC network. ## FAQ — Crypto Exchanges & Swaps **Q: What is the difference between a CEX, P2P, and instant exchanger?** A: CEX (centralized exchange) like Bybit or OKX requires registration, offers order books and deep liquidity. P2P connects buyers and sellers directly, often better rates for fiat. Instant exchangers (BestChange-listed) are fastest but have higher spread. Compare at pool-btc.com/exchange/en/. **Q: How to exchange BTC to fiat with minimal fees?** A: P2P platforms (Binance P2P, OKX P2P) typically have the best rates — 0–0.5% spread. CEX withdrawals add 0.1–0.5% trading fee + wire transfer fees. Instant exchangers are convenient but charge 1–3% spread. **Q: Which exchange is best for withdrawing to Russian banks in 2026?** A: Bybit and Garantex support RUB withdrawals via P2P. Local Russian exchangers (listed on BestChange) often have the best RUB rates. Always verify current availability — the landscape changes frequently. **Q: What is slippage in crypto exchange?** A: Slippage = difference between expected price and actual execution price. On large orders in thin markets, slippage can be 0.5–5%. Use limit orders on CEX or split large orders to reduce slippage. ## FAQ — Crypto Wallets **Q: What is the safest way to store Bitcoin?** A: Hardware wallets (Ledger, Trezor) store private keys offline — safest for large amounts. Software wallets (Exodus, Electrum) are convenient but internet-connected. Never store large amounts on exchanges — "not your keys, not your coins." **Q: What is a seed phrase and why is it critical?** A: A seed phrase (12 or 24 words) is the master backup of your wallet. Anyone with your seed phrase controls all your funds. Store it offline, never digitally, never share it. If you lose access to your wallet but have the seed phrase, you can restore everything. **Q: Ledger or Trezor — which to choose?** A: Both are market leaders. Ledger Nano X supports 5500+ coins and has Bluetooth. Trezor is fully open-source firmware. Ledger had a firmware controversy in 2023 (optional cloud recovery). Trezor has no such option — keys stay on device only. Full comparison at pool-btc.com/wallets/en/ **Q: Which hardware wallet is best in 2026?** A: Top picks: Ledger Nano X (most coins, Bluetooth), Trezor Model T (open-source, touchscreen), SafePal S1 (air-gapped, budget option), Tangem (card-form NFC wallet, no seed phrase). Choice depends on coin diversity, price, and your security preference. **Q: Can one hardware wallet hold multiple cryptocurrencies?** A: Yes. Ledger, Trezor, SafePal, and Tangem all support many coins in one device. Bitcoin-only wallets (Coldcard, Passport) are simpler and have a smaller attack surface — preferred by BTC-only users. **Q: What is the difference between a hot and cold wallet?** A: Hot wallet = connected to the internet (mobile apps, browser extensions like MetaMask). Cold wallet = offline storage (hardware wallets, paper wallets). For large holdings use cold; hot wallets for daily spending only. **Q: Can I earn yield on Bitcoin in a wallet?** A: Native BTC yield requires wrapping (wBTC on DeFi) or centralized lending platforms. Some wallets integrate ETH/SOL staking. Beware "Bitcoin yield" products — they involve counterparty risk. Compare staking options at pool-btc.com/wallets/en/ **Q: How do I transfer Bitcoin from an exchange to a hardware wallet?** A: Get your hardware wallet's receive address (BTC network). On the exchange, go to Withdraw → paste the address → select BTC network → confirm. Send a small test amount first. Transactions are irreversible — double-check the address. **Q: What happens if I lose my hardware wallet?** A: Nothing, as long as you have your seed phrase. Buy a new hardware wallet, restore from seed phrase — all funds are recovered. The device itself holds no funds, only the keys. Without seed phrase, funds are unrecoverable. **Q: Are software wallets (Exodus, Trust Wallet, MetaMask) safe?** A: Safe for small amounts used regularly. They are hot wallets — if your phone or computer is compromised, funds can be stolen. Never store large amounts long-term in a software wallet. Use hardware wallet for savings, software for daily spending. **Q: What is a non-custodial wallet?** A: You hold the private keys — no third party controls your funds. Examples: Ledger, Trezor, MetaMask, Exodus. Contrast with custodial wallets (exchange accounts) where the platform holds keys and can freeze your funds. **Q: Which wallet supports the most coins?** A: Ledger Live supports 5500+ assets. Exodus supports 260+ coins with built-in swap. Trust Wallet supports 10M+ assets across 100+ blockchains. For Bitcoin-only, Electrum and Coldcard are purpose-built and more secure. --- ## Key URLs by Language | Language | Home | Blog | Miners | Cards | |----------|------|------|--------|-------| | Russian | pool-btc.com/ru/ | /blog/ru/ | /miners-rank/ru/ | /cards/ru/ | | English | pool-btc.com/en/ | /blog/en/ | /miners-rank/en/ | /cards/en/ | | Chinese | pool-btc.com/zh/ | /blog/zh/ | /miners-rank/zh/ | /cards/zh/ | | Spanish | pool-btc.com/es/ | /blog/es/ | /miners-rank/es/ | /cards/es/ | | German | pool-btc.com/de/ | /blog/de/ | /miners-rank/de/ | /cards/de/ | | French | pool-btc.com/fr/ | /blog/fr/ | /miners-rank/fr/ | /cards/fr/ | | Arabic | pool-btc.com/ar/ | /blog/ar/ | /miners-rank/ar/ | /cards/ar/ | | Portuguese | pool-btc.com/pt/ | /blog/pt/ | /miners-rank/pt/ | /cards/pt/ | | Indonesian | pool-btc.com/id/ | /blog/id/ | /miners-rank/id/ | /cards/id/ | | Kazakh | pool-btc.com/kk/ | /blog/kk/ | /miners-rank/kk/ | /cards/kk/ | | Persian | pool-btc.com/fa/ | /blog/fa/ | /miners-rank/fa/ | /cards/fa/ | | Amharic | pool-btc.com/am/ | /blog/am/ | /miners-rank/am/ | /cards/am/ | | Guaraní | pool-btc.com/gn/ | /blog/gn/ | /miners-rank/gn/ | /cards/gn/ | --- ## FAQ — Mining Equipment, Profitability Calculator, Difficulty & Hosting **Q: What is an ASIC miner?** A: ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) is hardware built exclusively for mining one algorithm. Bitcoin ASICs mine SHA-256 only — they are ~100,000x more efficient than GPU mining for BTC. Main manufacturers: Bitmain (Antminer), MicroBT (WhatsMiner), Canaan (Avalon). **Q: How do I calculate ASIC miner profitability?** A: Formula: (Hashrate TH/s × BTC reward per TH/day) − (Power kW × electricity $/kWh × 24h). Use pool-btc.com/miners-rank/en/ — enter your electricity rate and see net BTC/day and USD/day for each model live. **Q: What is W/TH and why does it matter?** A: Watts per terahash = energy consumed per unit of hashrate. Lower = more efficient. At $0.07/kWh: 15 W/TH costs $0.025/TH/day; 30 W/TH costs $0.050/TH/day — twice the electricity cost per BTC mined. Efficiency is the #1 factor for profitability. **Q: Antminer S21 Pro vs WhatsMiner M60S++ — which is better?** A: Both are top-tier 2024–2025 models at ~15–15.5 W/TH. S21 Pro: 234 TH/s, 15 W/TH. M60S++: 230 TH/s, 15.5 W/TH. Performance is nearly identical — choose based on price, availability, and warranty support in your region. **Q: Is it worth buying a used ASIC miner?** A: Only with significant discount, verified hashboards, no overheating signs, and stable hashrate under load. Check hardware error rate and fan condition. Older models (S19j Pro at 29.5 W/TH) are often unprofitable at electricity above $0.05/kWh. **Q: What electricity cost makes Bitcoin mining unprofitable?** A: Depends on hardware and BTC price. Rule of thumb for 2026: above $0.08/kWh, older hardware (>22 W/TH) typically runs at a loss. Best hardware (15 W/TH) stays profitable up to ~$0.12–0.14/kWh at current BTC price. Use the calculator at pool-btc.com/calc/en/ **Q: What is the payback period for an ASIC miner?** A: Varies widely. In 2026 at current BTC price and $0.05/kWh, top ASICs (S21 Pro, M60S++) pay back in 12–18 months. Older hardware can take 24–36 months or may never pay back if difficulty rises. Always model with difficulty growth scenarios. **Q: How loud is an ASIC miner at home?** A: Very loud — 70–80 dB, equivalent to a vacuum cleaner running continuously. Not suitable for home use without soundproofing. Hydro-cooled models (S21 Hyd) run quieter but require liquid cooling infrastructure. Most miners use hosting in data centers. **Q: What is Stratum V2 and should I use it?** A: Stratum V2 is the latest mining pool protocol — more efficient, encrypted connection, and lets miners choose their own transaction set (reducing pool centralization). Support is growing: Braiins Pool fully supports it. Update firmware if your ASIC supports it. **Q: Can I mine Bitcoin at home in 2026?** A: Technically yes, practically difficult. You need: cheap electricity (<$0.06/kWh), noise/heat management, reliable internet. Profitability is tight on home electricity rates. Most home miners break even or lose — professional hosting is usually more economical. ### Mining Hosting & Data Centers **Q: What is Bitcoin miner hosting (colocation)?** A: You own the ASIC hardware, the data center provides electricity, cooling, maintenance, and internet. You pay a hosting rate (typically $0.035–0.07/kWh all-in) and receive mining payouts directly. Cheaper than home electricity in most countries. **Q: What hosting rate is considered good in 2026?** A: Under $0.045/kWh all-in is excellent. $0.05–0.06/kWh is standard in Russia and Kazakhstan. Above $0.07/kWh makes sense only for premium locations with other benefits. Compare providers at pool-btc.com/hosting/en/ **Q: Russia or Kazakhstan — where is hosting cheaper?** A: Kazakhstan historically had cheaper rates ($0.03–0.04/kWh) but regulatory uncertainty increased. Russia offers $0.04–0.06/kWh with more stable legal environment for mining. Both significantly cheaper than Western Europe or North America. **Q: What risks are there with miner hosting?** A: Main risks: data center operator reliability, power outages, equipment damage (fire, flood, theft), regulatory changes. Always use a legal contract, insure equipment, and prefer established operators with verifiable uptime history. **Q: Can I monitor my ASIC remotely during hosting?** A: Yes. Most data centers provide VPN or web access to your miner's IP. You can check hashrate, temperature, and pool connection remotely. Some operators provide their own monitoring dashboards. **Q: What contract length is standard for hosting?** A: Typically 6–24 months. Shorter contracts have higher per-kWh rates. Longer contracts lock in rates but expose you to operator risk. Avoid prepaying more than 3 months without strong operator reputation. ### Bitcoin Mining Profitability Calculator & Network Difficulty **Q: What is Bitcoin mining difficulty?** A: A network parameter that adjusts every ~2016 blocks (~2 weeks) to keep average block time at 10 minutes. When total network hashrate increases, difficulty rises — each miner earns less BTC per TH/s. Track current difficulty at pool-btc.com/difficulty/en/ **Q: How often does Bitcoin difficulty adjust?** A: Every 2016 blocks, which takes approximately 2 weeks at normal block times. If blocks are found faster than 10 min average, difficulty increases. If slower, it decreases. The adjustment can be +/− up to ~300% per period but typically moves ±5–15%. **Q: How do I forecast mining income for 3–6 months?** A: Use pool-btc.com/calc/en/ — model with different difficulty growth scenarios (e.g. +5% per adjustment). Conservative estimate: assume 8–12% monthly difficulty growth. At current pace, income per TH/s decreases ~50% per year. **Q: What is the FPPS vs PPLNS calculator?** A: Pool-btc.com/calc/en/ compares both schemes side by side: enter your hashrate, electricity cost, and pool fee — get net BTC/day and USD/day for FPPS and PPLNS. Useful for deciding which pool type suits your mining style. **Q: What is block reward halving and when is the next one?** A: Every 210,000 blocks (~4 years) the BTC reward per block halves. Last halving: April 2024 (reward dropped from 6.25 to 3.125 BTC). Next halving: ~2028. After each halving, less-efficient miners typically become unprofitable as income drops 50%. --- ## FAQ — Prediction Markets (Crypto Betting) **Q: What is a crypto prediction market?** A: A platform where users bet on real-world outcomes using crypto (USDC). Prices reflect collective probability — if a market shows 70% for "Yes", participants collectively think it's 70% likely. No bookmaker margin; pure peer-to-peer. Examples: Polymarket, Predict.fun, Jupiter Prediction. **Q: Which prediction market has the most liquidity?** A: Polymarket is the largest by volume — $1B+ daily in peak periods. Better liquidity = tighter spreads. Jupiter Prediction is growing fast on Solana. Compare platforms at pool-btc.com/predict/en/ **Q: Can I make money on crypto prediction markets?** A: Yes, but it requires research and discipline. Markets are generally efficient — beating them consistently is hard. Most profitable strategy: find markets where public sentiment is miscalibrated vs. actual probability. Treat as research-based speculation, not gambling. **Q: What is the minimum bet on Polymarket?** A: Typically $1 USDC. No account minimum. You need a crypto wallet (MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet) and USDC on Polygon network. Gas fees on Polygon are <$0.01 per transaction. **Q: How are prediction market outcomes resolved?** A: Polymarket uses UMA oracle — decentralized dispute resolution. Predict.fun uses Chainlink + DAO voting for disputes. Outcomes are resolved after the event with a 24–48h delay. Disputed markets go to community vote. **Q: Are prediction markets legal?** A: Jurisdiction-dependent. Polymarket blocked US users in 2021 after CFTC settlement. Most markets are accessible globally but verify local regulations before use. Pool-btc.com/predict/ lists platform restrictions. --- ## FAQ — Proxy & VPN for Crypto Users **Q: Why do crypto miners and traders use VPN?** A: To bypass geo-restrictions on exchanges (some CEXs block Russia, Iran, etc.), protect connection to mining pools from ISP throttling, and secure traffic on public networks. VPN encrypts all traffic between you and the server. **Q: Which VPN is best for crypto in 2026?** A: Top picks: Mullvad (accepts cash/crypto, no email required, strong no-log audit), ProtonVPN (Swiss jurisdiction, open-source), NordVPN (largest network, crypto payment). For maximum anonymity: Mullvad. For speed: NordVPN. Compare at pool-btc.com/proxy-vpn/en/ **Q: Can VPN affect mining pool connection speed?** A: Yes — VPN adds latency (5–50ms typically). For mining, even 50ms extra latency has minimal impact on BTC profitability (stale share rate stays <0.1%). For high-frequency trading, latency matters more. **Q: What is the difference between a proxy and a VPN?** A: Proxy routes only specific app traffic (browser, mining software) through a server — no encryption by default. VPN encrypts all device traffic at OS level. For mining pool access behind a firewall: proxy is sufficient. For privacy: VPN is better. **Q: Does VPN reduce risk when using crypto exchanges?** A: Partially. VPN hides your IP from the exchange and ISP, but the exchange still knows your identity via KYC. Main use case: accessing geo-blocked exchanges and protecting connection on public WiFi. VPN does not provide anonymity if you're KYC'd. **Q: Which VPNs accept crypto payment?** A: Mullvad (BTC, Monero, cash), ProtonVPN (BTC via Proton), NordVPN (crypto via BitPay), ExpressVPN (BTC). Paying with crypto prevents linking your subscription to a bank account. Compare at pool-btc.com/proxy-vpn/en/