Monero Mining in 2026 | Is It Still Worth the Investment?
Edited By
Fatima Zohra
As interest in CPU mining rises, people are debating the viability of mining Monero in 2026. Amid rising RAM costs and fluctuating electricity prices, the big questions loom: Are these investments still economically sound?
Current State of Mining
Comments from various forums shed light on the topic. Some people suggest that if you already own the necessary hardware and have access to cheap or free electricity, mining can still be profitable. One comment noted, "If you have the machines already and put them to use with no costs, you could potentially earn some amount of Monero."
Investment Costs vs. Break-even Points
Investors looking to get into Monero mining are facing stiff competition from soaring global hashrates. A recent analysis revealed that using a $1,000 PC generating 20KH/s would require about six years to break even, under the assumption that global conditions remain unchanged. This raises doubts about the long-term feasibility of such investments.
"Your best bet is getting a Ryzen 9 7945H mini PC, and tweak it to get around 18-20KH/s," noted a seasoned miner.
Exploring Alternatives
Interestingly, some users are shifting to mining alternative coins like Nerva. Unlike Monero, Nerva is exclusively CPU mined and offers an opportunity to escape the competitive landscape dominated by ASIC and GPU miners.
"No, it's not been profitable for a couple of years," remarked another contributor, reflecting the current sentiment on Monero mining.
Key Takeaways
◻️ Free electricity significantly boosts mining profitability.
🔹 Six years is the average break-even period for Monero mining with current costs.
💡 Many miners are looking toward CPU-only alternatives like Nerva for better returns.
While the conversation around Monero mining continues to evolve, it’s clear that prospective miners need to weigh their options carefully before making any financial commitments. Are you ready to gamble on Monero, or will you switch gears to other opportunities?
For more insights on cryptocurrency mining, follow forums and engage with fellow miners to stay updated.
Trends on the Horizon
As Monero mining faces mounting challenges, experts estimate there’s a strong chance that profitability will continue to decline over the next few years. With rising costs for RAM and electricity, new miners might find it increasingly difficult to even break even on their investments. Meanwhile, alternative coins like Nerva could see a boost as more miners seek less competitive environments. Investing in these alternatives may yield better results, with around a 60% probability that CPU mining could remain viable if market conditions shift in favor of those coins.
History’s Echo
An interesting parallel can be drawn with the gold rush of the 1800s. As more people flooded into mining camps with the hope of striking it rich, many miners found themselves struggling against tougher competitors and dwindling resources. Some shifted focus, swapping gold pans for picks in other territories to find success. Today’s miners wrestling with Monero could take a page from these past prospectors. Just as those miners sought opportunity in less conventional places, modern-day miners might need to explore alternatives beyond the mainstream if they want to find their fortune.