Which Cryptocurrencies Are Easiest to Mine Right Now? 2024 Edition

Mining crypto doesn’t have to mean throwing yourself into the deep end. While Bitcoin dominates the headlines, plenty of other digital assets offer lower barriers to entry and potentially better returns for new miners. Let’s cut through the noise and figure out which coins actually make sense to mine in 2024.

The Real Question: What Makes a Crypto Easy (or Hard) to Mine?

Before picking a coin, understand what determines mining difficulty. The mathematical puzzles protecting each blockchain aren’t created equal—some require minimal computational firepower, while others demand industrial-scale operations.

Mining difficulty is the core factor. High difficulty means more computing power needed, which translates to bigger electricity bills and longer payback periods. A truly profitable mine hit requires three things to align: decent block rewards, reasonable difficulty, and access to cheap power.

Electricity costs are the silent killer. Even on the easiest coins to mine, expensive power can destroy profitability overnight. Factor in your local rates before committing to hardware.

Hardware matters just as much. Some coins only work with specialized ASIC chips that cost thousands. Others play nice with standard GPUs sitting in gaming rigs. The easier coins to mine are usually GPU-friendly—you might already own the hardware.

The Easiest Coins to Mine: A Practical Breakdown

GPU-Friendly: Dogecoin (DOGE) - The Beginner’s Play

If you want to start mining with existing hardware, Dogecoin is the path of least resistance. It uses Scrypt mining, which GPUs handle beautifully. An Nvidia GeForce series card and basic software like CGMiner or EasyMiner get you rolling immediately.

DOGE mining is straightforward because the difficulty remains manageable compared to Bitcoin. The barrier to entry is low—you probably don’t need new hardware. The trade-off? Smaller rewards per block, but you’ll actually earn something as a solo miner without joining massive pools.

Storage-Based: Filecoin (FIL) - Different Approach, Lower Barriers

Filecoin flips the script entirely. Instead of computational proof-of-work, it uses Proof of Space-Time—basically, you’re mining with hard drive space. This approach democratizes mining because it rewards storage capacity rather than computing speed.

You’ll need Filecoin Miners (specialized hardware) and fast storage devices, plus the Lotus software. The learning curve is steeper than GPU mining, but competition from industrial operations isn’t as crushing. Storage-based mining offers a genuinely different angle for people interested in the easiest crypto to mine from a hardware perspective.

Asset Transfer: Ravencoin (RVN) - GPU-Minable ASIC Resistance

Ravencoin was explicitly designed to resist ASIC dominance. It’s GPU-minable, meaning your Nvidia GTX 1080 Ti or equivalent stays relevant. Mining software like KawPow Miner and T-Rex Miner integrate smoothly.

RVN mining avoids the arms race dynamic destroying Bitcoin mining profitability for individuals. You won’t outcompete industrial mega-farms, but you’re not starting with one hand tied behind your back either.

Privacy-Focused: Zcash (ZEC) - ASIC + Performance Balance

Zcash privacy transactions appeal to privacy-minded users, which supports long-term value. ASIC miners like Antminer Z9 handle ZEC mining efficiently. Software solutions like EWBF’s Cuda Miner streamline the process.

ZEC strikes a balance—more challenging than GPU coins like Dogecoin, but established enough that mining infrastructure is mature and accessible.

The Classics: Litecoin (LTC) and Ethereum Classic (ETC)

Litecoin, the “silver to Bitcoin’s gold,” maintains lower mining difficulty than BTC. ASIC miners (Antminer L3+) are cheaper than Bitcoin equivalents, and software like EasyMiner handles configuration easily. LTC halving events periodically spike difficulty, but the baseline remains reasonable.

Ethereum Classic uses GPU mining via software like PhoenixMiner or GMiner. You’ll need AMD or Nvidia cards, but setup is straightforward. ETC represents a middle ground—harder than Dogecoin but easier than Bitcoin.

The Heavyweight: Bitcoin (BTC) - Still Possible, Not Easy

Bitcoin remains the most secure and established network, but mining profitability demands serious capital. ASIC hardware costs thousands. Bitcoin halving cycles compress rewards, increasing difficulty. You’re competing with industrial operations running thousands of machines.

BTC mining isn’t impossible for individuals, but it’s not the easiest crypto to mine anymore. Profitability depends entirely on having access to exceptionally cheap electricity and economies of scale through pool participation.

Building Your Mining Operation: The Easy Path

Start with what you have. If you own a decent GPU, GPU-mineable coins like Dogecoin and Ravencoin require minimal investment. Mine for a month and see if it covers electricity costs. That’s your real indicator of viability.

Calculate before committing. Electricity expense, hardware cost, current coin price, block reward, and mining difficulty must all factor into your spreadsheet. One wrong assumption kills profitability.

Join a mining pool. Solo mining on difficult networks is a lottery ticket. Pools distribute rewards proportionally, guaranteeing steady income. CGMiner, BFGMiner, and similar software integrate with pool mining seamlessly.

Get the wallet right. You need a cryptocurrency wallet compatible with your chosen coin. Security matters—enable two-factor authentication and use hardware wallets for serious operations.

Watch the variables. Mining profitability shifts monthly. Coin prices move. Difficulty adjusts. Check your numbers quarterly and pivot if conditions worsen.

The Reality Check: Risks That Kill Mining Dreams

Electricity costs eat profits faster than anything. High local rates can make even easy coins unprofitable.

Volatile prices mean yesterday’s profitable coin becomes today’s money-loser. When prices crash, mining suddenly costs more than it generates.

Hardware obsolesce happens fast. ASIC chips become obsolete; GPU model advantages shift. You’re constantly upgrading or watching returns decline.

Competition scales relentlessly. More miners jump in during bull markets, driving difficulty up and individual rewards down. Mining profitability is cyclical.

Scams abound. Cloud mining services often operate as Ponzi schemes. “Guaranteed returns” always return zero. Stick to your own hardware.

Regulations shift. Government crackdowns on mining have happened before and will happen again. Stay informed about your region’s stance.

Security threats target miners. Hacking attempts, malware, and wallet theft specifically hunt mining operations. Practice basic cybersecurity hygiene.

Your Mining Timeline

Month 1: Research, acquire hardware, set up wallet, join a pool.

Month 2-3: Monitor profitability. Track electricity costs precisely. Adjust operations if needed.

Month 3-6: Evaluate whether rewards justify continued operation. Decide whether to scale or exit.

Mining crypto profitably isn’t a get-rich-quick play—it’s operational logistics dressed up as technology. The easiest coins to mine share one trait: they don’t demand industrial-scale investment to generate returns. Dogecoin, Ravencoin, Filecoin, and Ethereum Classic all deliver better accessibility than Bitcoin or other demanding networks.

Success means staying disciplined about costs, realistic about competition, and willing to exit when numbers no longer work. The crypto mining landscape keeps evolving. Hardware improves. Coins launch. Regulations change. What matters is understanding the fundamentals—difficulty, rewards, electricity, and competition—then making decisions accordingly.

Start small, calculate obsessively, and scale only when profitability proves sustainable. That’s the easiest path to mining success.