Crypto wallet is an irreplaceable part of your investment activity. But how to select a reliable and functional option? Let’s consider Top 5 Ripple wallets and find out how to pick the right one for you.

It’s been two years since cryptocurrencies started to make waves, and many altcoins grew in price as much as the leader, Bitcoin, did. There are many decent investment opportunities around, and one of them is Ripple (XRP). Having been invented as far back as 2004, it grew at a remarkable rate in 2017, and now is in the Top-10 cryptocurrencies. The coin is widely used for international transactions and is currently being tested by governmental banks, especially the ones in Asia. Despite being the third largest cryptocurrency by market cap (close to 18 billion US dollars), XRP is very cheap compared to Bitcoin and Ethereum, so right now you can still buy a handful of coins without having to take out a second mortgage on your house.

If you’re ready to jump on the Ripple bandwagon, then you need a reliable and functional wallet. Let’s observe five worthy solutions and find out why an accurate XRP wallet selection is more important than you may think.

Main vulnerabilities of cryptocurrency wallets

Like any other online product, online cryptocurrency wallets are prone to attacks and failures. These are the main five crypto wallet vulnerabilities:

How to choose the best wallet for Ripple?

Not all Ripple wallets are created equal, as it were, so you need to perform a thorough market analysis before investing. The prime motivation for using a good wallet is the safety of your assets: without a rock-solid security, no digital solution has any real value.

So, what should be taken into consideration when picking up the best XRP wallet?

Does the wallet support Ripple? This is the most essential question. The Internet offers a myriad of versatile crypto wallets, but sets of supported cryptocurrencies differ from one solution to the next.

Is it secure enough? The absence of proper security measures takes away from most of a wallet’s value, which means that your virtual money could be stolen any time. Check whether the wallet provider implements a two-step authentication, cold storage, backup, and other security tools. An SSL certificate is a must-have for online services, too. An offline Ripple wallet is considered to be a safer option.

What’s the fee/cost? If you’re going to handle huge amounts of cryptocurrency, investing in a hardware wallet for Ripple can be a more cost-effective solution compared to online storage.

Is it compatible with mobile devices? Every self-respecting crypto wallet provider offers both desktop and mobile versions for their clients’ convenience. Make sure that your iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, or any other device supports the software.

Cold vs. hot wallet: which one is better?

Cold storage means using a hardware wallet for crypto assets. It is recommended for users who want to safeguard their coins instead of entrusting funds to third parties. This is a safer but also a less convenient option because you cannot perform cryptocurrency operations on the go. For this reason, some traders use both kinds of cryptocurrency wallets: online services for trading, as well as hardware wallets for storage only.

Now that the stage has been set, the time is ripe to actually have a look at the best Ripple wallet options.

Binance

When talking about cryptocurrency exchanges, Binance is one of the first names that springs to mind. This crypto service is rapidly growing and now also offers its users Ripple wallets. However, it’s better suited for short-term coin storage: as a general rule, you shouldn’t store currency there for more than 1–2 days, because exchange issues may appear out of the blue.

“Why use it at all?”, you may ask. Well, Binance is perfect for instant buying and storing of XRP since you can claim a 50% discount on trading fees when you exchange Bitcoin to Ripple.

This hardware wallet supports a number of cryptocurrencies, including Dash, BTC, ETH/ETC, Stratis, and Zcash. This crypto storage solution offers high-level security, ease of use, and portability. It looks like a USB device, so you can carry it in your pocket without having to be wary of any prying eyes. It allows you to control transactions with the help of a button and features a secure password system. You can send and receive coins and make automated account backups (there’s an individual recovery sheet applied to every device). The gadget can be ordered online: in 4–7 days, it will be delivered to your doorstep.

Toast Wallet

But where to store Ripple for free? Try Toast, an open-source Ripple wallet which is accessible to anyone. Its salient features include:

Compatibility with Windows, Android, Mac, and iOS. Each application is well thought-through and fast.

Zero fees for both storage and transactions. Do bear in mind, however, that you need to have 20 XRP in reserve to process your transactions.

Toast wallet is a bare-bones solution that will be perfect for starters to get their feet wet and learn the basics of cryptocurrency handling. It is simple enough for beginners to manage, and yet, supposedly, as safe as a Swiss bank. Another good news is that Toast is not a hosted wallet, which means you will have total control over your private keys.

Jaxx Wallet

This software was developed by the man who started investing in crypto very early on and helped to found Ethereum. In trying to figure out how to store Ripple safely and reliably, he developed Jaxx Ripple wallet. This is a multicurrency HD wallet that allows for storage of over 60 coins and lets its users control the seed and PIN. This software boasts the whole gamut of features, including:

Jaxx also provides an added bonus of the best exchange for Ripple: one coin can be converted into another in the app itself, so the investors are free to make transaction decisions right there and then.

CoinPayments is not just a desktop wallet for Ripple. As its name suggests, it is a cryptocurrency payment website where you can store currency online. It accepts over 900 altcoins, a record-breaking number for an exchange platform. CoinPayments functions like a physical bank — it allows exchanging of coins and shopping online — and has a low transaction fee of 0.5%. The fee is applicable to:

commercial deposits;

incoming payments;

transactions, regardless of their size.

Personal deposits and withdrawals are 100% free unless you use them for commercial items or shopping. To top it off, CoinPayments is highly convenient for online purchases: it partners with a wide range of e-commerce websites and stores, over 296,000 online vendors to be exact. Exceptional security level is achieved thanks to the BitGo multi-sig technology. So if you want a cheap and breach-proof solution for cryptocurrency storage, CoinPayments is exactly the thing.

10 ways to secure your cryptocurrency wallet

All cryptocurrency owners are potential victims of hackers. Although the aforementioned solutions are safe, you, as a user, bear the primary responsibility for the security of your assets. Here are a few professional tips:

Beware of Slack bots! Do not click on any links the bots send you. You can also protect your device against them by using Avira antivirus, Metacert, or Webroot security, as well as built-in Google Safe Browsing.

When you’re engaged in a crypto trading activity, use a separate browser for the operations with crypto coins. It’s also better to choose an incognito browsing mode; in fact, ideally, you should have a separate PC or another device for crypto trading.

If something seems suspicious in the messages you receive, close the window and delete that letter from your inbox.

Bottom Line

Although the Blockchain is a safe technology in and of itself, it’s not immune to security breaches, which means you still need a safe place to store your cryptocurrency coins. The Internet offers a myriad of exchange platforms and crypto payment services that provide crypto wallets. These websites should be chosen wisely: some of them are prone to hacking, while the others may charge astronomical fees.

So, what is better, an offline Ripple wallet or an online service? It depends on the frequency and size of your transactions. Cold storage is used for long-term investment; this feature is provided by hardware wallets. If you are going to trade actively and perform transactions on a daily basis that involve smaller amounts, then online services would be more appropriate for you. They can be used on the go, and their transaction fees are pretty low, though how low exactly would depend on the actual platform you opt for.

All of these Top-5 solutions are dependable and functional enough to meet the desired objectives of any crypto investor. So, if you’re ready to stock up on Ripple, pick up one of them and sleep soundly knowing that your assets are safe!

Let’s be sincere: we’ve gotten tired of Ethereum and Bitcoin, and when it comes to ETH and BTC mining, crypto enthusiasts became disappointed in them in 2018. The bang isn’t worth the invested buck. What to do if you still want to be the part of cryptocurrency family and a proud owner of digital coins? Try Dogecoin! Let’s find out whether Dogecoin mining is profitable, and what the best ways to obtain it are.

Why Doge?

Dogecoin (DOGE) is the first coin that was intended to be some kind of joke. To be more precise, this coin was created with a pinch of sarcasm and a great will to make crypto more available for ordinary people. Surprisingly, the coin has become popular: 200k followers, 100k subscribers, and thousands of miners. It’s more than Iota and NEO have. Could Doge creators have imagined their creation would ignite such interest?

The Dogecoin community is large, but what about its mining properties? The numbers show that the coin is actually more competitive than other coins from the standpoint of block rewards.

Cryptocurrency

Mining difficulty (01/12/2019)

Reward (For 1 Block)

Bitcoin

5,618,595,848,853.28

12.5

Ethereum

2,651,619,145,272,150

5

Litecoin

6,106,167.56668499

25

Dogecoin

2,404,260.6685

10,000

Dogecoin has the largest reward per block, leaving Verge with its 750 coins behind. Does it mean that mining Dogecoin is more profitable? Not necessarily. However, it’s the 24th cryptocurrency by the market cap and is expected to see a fundamental increase in cost as it continues evolving. That’s why Doge mining profitability can get higher.

Solo or mining in pools?

Here comes the first pitfall: there’s actually no such thing as pure Dogecoin mining because you have to mine it together with Litecoin. Turns out, DOGE coins are simply the by-product of Litecoin mining. You have a choice: to join a Dogecoin mining pool or hunt for the coins on your own. The key advantage of mining solo is the fact you get the reward alone (which is considerable thanks to a large block reward).

But solo mining is like playing roulette: your chances of mining the whole block alone are minor. If you have rather weak hardware, you can be mining it without any success. If you join a pool, though, your chances will multiply. But be prepared to pay fees.

The difference between solo mining and mining pools

No matter which coin you’re interested in, we highly recommend joining a mining pool. Why? Because the worthiest crypto assets have the highest mining difficulty, and earning them without anyone’s help is impossible without an ultra-advanced mining pool (which most of us can’t afford).

7 best Dogecoin mining pools

The first thing you should keep in mind is that Dogecoin mining pools should support the Scrypt hashing algorithm. Until recently, GHash.IO was the ultimate choice for Dogecoin miners, but it was closed in 2016. Now miners have to search for alternatives and, luckily, there are plenty of them.

1. Multipool.us

This is one of the oldest mining pools around. Multipool allows mining 29 crypto coins with various algorithms, including Scrypt. Several currencies can be mined simultaneously. The main advantage of multipool is that it has a great payout. Besides, there are no withdrawal fees, and you can boost your profits with the help of merge mining feature.

Multipool.us website interface

2. Prohashing

Prohashing is among the most demanded Scrypt mining pools that are used for mining different altcoins. You just need to register and choose a crypto asset for reward (DOGE is available). What are the key benefits of this mining pool? It has agreeable fees and offers detailed statistical data (number of miners, hash rate, real-time profitability, etc).

3. 1CoinPool

1CoinPool is a mining pool for both LTC and DOGE. It has no fees, though users’ donations are welcome. Judging by the information on their official website, 1CoinPool mines three blocks per week. Users are rewarded proportionally to the hashing power they provide.

Alternatively, you can use a mining pool that works with the X11 algorithm. Note that Darkcoin and Dash support this algorithm, and you can request a payout in Dogecoin, too.

4. HashFaster

The name of this mining pool is totally justified: you can start mining without creating an account. Choose your username and specify the wallet address, and you’re ready to start. The first payout will take up to six hours only.

HashFaster website interface

5. Litecoinpool

This option is recommended for merged mining. Litecoinpool was established in 2014 and has quickly gathered a good reputation. It utilizes a transparent payout system with the pay-per-share (PPS) rate. By default, payments are made in Litecoin, but you can also request reward in merge-mined currencies such as Dogecoin. In comparison with traditional LTC mining pools, such a website will bring you more money. Besides, it’s said that it was the first LTC pool use TLS-encrypted Stratum connections for protecting miners.

This is another mining pool that’s been around for over 5 years. Eobot was established in 2013 and is still one of the most popular choices among miners. Users can mine coins based on Scrypt and SHA-256. Earnings can be withdrawn in different currency including Dash, XRP, and Doge. The website ensures an unbeatable level of protection for users, though it won’t hurt to use 2-step authorization.

7. Aikapool

This is a small mining pool with about 100 miners – the right spot for starters. It supports various Scrypt-based altcoins, including Doge.

So, is the game worth the candles burnt?

Here we come to the most important question: should you mine Doge? The sad truth is that such a venture is not really worth your effort – the reward is so small, it won’t even cover electricity.

The main reasons for NOT mining DOGE are:

Direct Dogecoin mining is not profitable because recently it switched to merged mining. It means you have to compete with 3 Terahash of LTC pools. The coin is too cheap to cover your expenses and compensate efforts.

In fact, mining most Scrypt coins are not profitable unless you have free electric power and equipment. According to statistics, it brings miners $1 every 2 months per every megahash spent. Not a fair deal, is it?

If you don’t have juggernaut servers, don’t rush to start mining – you can’t compete with huge mining farms that run with the help of hydropower stations.

Dogecoin has an unlimited supply, which will inevitably lead to inflation.

Think about cloud mining instead? Unfortunately, a lot of cloud mining websites appear to be a total scam.

Does it mean you shouldn’t even try dealing with Dogecoin? No, you can become a DOGE owner just to join the crypto community and add to your crypto asset portfolio. Mining other coins and converting them into DOGE might be a better idea. Alternatively, you can pay attention to the new Dogethereum fork (DOGX) – it utilizes the same algorithm as Ethereum.

Dogecoin is not the only altcoin available – you’re free to choose a lot of replacements. This cryptocurrency was created just for fun, so you should approach DOGE mining the same way.

Bitcoin mining is a must for transaction verification and confirmation on the Blockchain network. The process is performed with the help of specific equipment and tools. If you already have a juggernaut rig, don’t rush to start the process – you will need special software first.

How to become a Bitcoin miner?

Becoming a Bitcoin hunter involves getting the best Bitcoin mining hardware, too. However, that’s only a part of the deal. Once the hardware is bought and installed, you need to have it up and running. The necessary steps are:

What is Bitcoin mining software?

Bitcoin mining software works in collaboration with the relevant hardware to solve computational algorithms on the network and execute these transactions. This is what directs the computational power in the right direction and helps you to get the maximum out of your equipment.

What should I consider?

When it comes to Bitcoin mining, you should approach the task with all responsibility and seriousness. We have already discussed that Bitcoin mining isn’t really profitable anymore, but if you’re determined to give it a chance, you will need to research and strategize. There’s a wide range of factors that should be taken into consideration.

What does Bitcoin mining profitability depend on?

Seem to be too complicated? As soon as you get a better insight into each aspect and check out the market for possible solutions, you will be able to make the right informed decision.

Now that we have a clue about the requirements for mining, it’s high time to review the most cost-efficient and suitable software solutions for Bitcoin miners.

CGMiner: Best overall performance

Written in C languages almost seven years ago, CGMiner is a versatile solution that supports numerous operating systems. It works with both FPGA and ASIC hardware, and features command line control that allows for overall mining process monitoring, including:

fan speed control;

hash rate;

interface options;

network schedule;

support of mining pools.

CGMiner boasts smart failover technologies. New blocks are detected automatically, and you will enjoy easy setting management (the menu is a no-brainer). Note that submissions can be saved in cache in case of network failure.

CGMiner works with various ASIC mining hardware options. Though lack of GUI might be a drawback for some, CGMiner is still simply the most recommendable option.

EasyMiner: Best GUI front-end for multiple tools

This GUI-based software runs on Windows, Linux, and Android. It makes mining simple thanks to the interactive GUI. It starts working instantly using the machine CPU. Every cryptocurrency has various command line tools, but with EasyMiner, the situation is different: it has a simple graphical interface through which you will easily understand the bolts and nuts of mining process navigation. Adjusting settings and doing other activities is extremely simple.

For BTC, it performs ASIC mining and other hardware options. There's also a "Solo" mode for using a pool of your own, and custom hash options for the cryptocurrencies you like. This software uses the proprietary protocol to boost safety for both the pool and wallet.

BFGMiner: Customize the process

If you need something as good as CGMiner but for working with application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), BFGMiner is exactly the thing. Flexibility and easy customization make it the best software for Bitcoin mining – it’s designed specifically for the SHA256 mining algorithm. Like other decent crypto mining software solutions, it allows you to be connected to numerous mining pools.

Besides, BFGMiner saves electricity by limiting the connection if some certain mining pool doesn’t respond. Like CGMiner, it offers a command line interface and is an open-source solution. To top it off, BFGMiner features:

a network proxy server;

submission to numerous threads;

proprietary mining protocol (no proxy);

restarting of idle threads;

detailed data statistics of the mining process.

The software can also check the temperature, and BFGMiner comes packed with drivers for BTC.

BitMiner: Cross-platform compatibility

Why is BitMiner special? First, it features a proprietary mining pool. Secondly, this is a versatile solution for BTC mining. It runs on different operating systems, and no installation is required for this java software. The suite boasts a comprehensive GUI that's incredibly easy to navigate.

BitMiner user interface

The extra layer on this cake of benefits is that 99% mining profit goes to the user. The whole gamut of ASICs will work with this suite. Considering the large number of BitMiner users, you need a worthy ASIC to reap the gains.

MultiMiner: Easy in use

If you’re new to crypto, consider this graphic user interface based mining software. It works equally well with all widespread operating systems. Its mining engine works with various mining hardware and lets you select the coins you'd like to get. Besides, users have the possibility for remote control over MultiMiner rigs.

Being an open-source software, MultiMiner works with all possible devices. To top it off, MultiMiner provides detailed instruction on how to connect the pool once the software is installed. Despite that fact that the software is free, you have the option of sending 1% of the profits you make from mining to the developer. It is not compulsory, and you’re free to opt out at any time.

MultiMiner dashboard is a no-brainer

BitMinter: Simplicity coupled with versatility

BitMinter exploits its special mining pools. The software is simple in use, and it supports all popular OS. Although the program is totally free, it charges 1% commission for mining. That’s a pretty fair deal considering the convenience and efficiency you enjoy.

Miner Server: Best for cloud mining

Want to start Bitcoin mining but are not ready purchase an expensive ASIC? Then you should try cloud mining, but remember that only large computing power will bring you some benefits. There’s no need to buy a long-term contract, either – Bitcoin mining difficulty is soaring day by day.

When you start working with Miner Server, you have to join a mining pool and share profits with other users. There’s a large variety of packages with basic cost as low as $0.14. Depending on chosen package, the hashrate ranges about 250-600,000 GH/s. All the tariffs last for one year, and you can manage your Bitcoin earnings and other settings using the account.

You can get extra hash power for free using your reference number for the affiliate program. There are no additional maintenance charges, which makes this platform highly profitable.

Phoenix Miner: Optimal option for minimizing your efforts

This is a free and open-source mining suite that was created by two Bitcoin community members in April 2011. Phoenix Miner also provides support for RPC, w/LP, and MMP. Its kernel loads automatically and the better version will always be adopted.

Bottom Line

Although Bitcoin mining isn’t very beneficial today, you can still try your luck. The truth is that you will need to be ready for huge expenses: electricity, equipment, maintenance – all of that will take a bite out of your wallet. Luckily, Bitcoin mining software is usually free, and there are still decent solutions around.

Start your mining career with a good mining suite, and you will double your chances of making Bitcoin riches in 2019. Bitcoin has a very promising future, so your investment might be compensated down the road.

With Nvidia, the world’s leading GPU producer, being hit by a class action lawsuit by a group of indignant miners, the future of cryptocurrency mining doesn’t seem that bright (to put it softly). Nevertheless, U.Today reviews the best mining hardware for those who decided to enter the yo-yo market.

A perfect buying opportunity?

Unless you have free electricity or plan to heat your apartment with GPUs whirring in the background, there is very little incentive to continue mining – Bitcoin price dramatically plunged by 80 percent in 2018. Along with BTC, the prices of mining hardware caught up with the trend. For example, you can now buy GIGABYTE’s Radeon RX 570 4 GB for only $183.98 (a world of difference from its hefty $600 price tag). As U.Today reported earlier, GPUs are currently being sold at embarrassingly low prices worldwide.

A quick look at types of mining hardware

CPU. Fun fact: the first-ever block of Bitcoin (‘Genesis Block’) was mined by Satoshi himself on his own PC. Early Bitcoin adopters could mine the first cryptocurrency on their own computer! Pentium4 PC could mine up to 100 BTC in 2010.

GPU. As the mining space was getting more competitive, the code that allowed using graphics cards for mining was introduced on Sept. 18, 2010.

ASIC. The bloodbath began in 2013 when ASICs, specific chips for mining Bitcoin, were introduced. They started greatly outperforming GPUs and FGPAs (the latter never caught up with miners).

Bitcoin mining – yay or nay?

Bitcoin, despite the sharp profitability drop, remains the king of crypto, and the global mining industry that generates billions of dollars is not going anywhere. If you want to purchase a perfect cryptocurrency miner, here a few suggestions that might come in handy:

Innosilicon T3. This is one of the most powerful miners on the market with a whopping 43 TH/s hashrate. The first batch is expected to be delivered to buyers as soon as in January 2019.

GMO miner B3. B3, which was released in November 2018, is yet another juggernaut on the list with 33Th/s of hashing power. However, GMO recently called it quits with its mining business, and for a good reason – B3 is one of the worst miners by profitability (you would actually start losing $4.52 per day when running this miner).

Ebit E11+. By offering 37 TH/s of hashing power, this miner easily stands out among its competitors. Given that Bitcoin price currently stands at $3,818, it can offer miners a $2.65 payout (well, at least it’s profitable!).

Antminer S9 (‘oldie-but-goodie’). Antminer S9 has acquired the legendary status in the ASIC space due to its immense popularity. Currently, 2016 fails to generate any profit, but Bitmain is not there to cede ground to a slew of competitors that easily – the Beijing-based behemoth presented its next-generation Bitmain S15/ T15 miners back in September.

Ethereum mining hardware options

In November, technology firm Susquehanna revealed that the mining profitability of a GPU mining rig plunged to zero. Bitmain also brought new things to the table by introducing E3 ASIC, the first ASIC that is specifically designed for mining Ethereum). Subsequently, the fact that the Beijing-based behemoth set its eye on Ethereum became a matter of concern for many community members given Bitmain’s near-monopoly status.

When comparing GPUs to ASICs, it is worth mentioning that graphics cards have a sizeable advantage when it comes to depreciation. As mentioned above, ASICs are specifically designed for mining a given cryptocurrency, which means that a spike in mining difficulty could make the likes of E3 obsolete.

Mining ZenCash, Zcash, and other Equihash-based coins

Back in July, Zcash (ZEC) became the most profitable cryptocurrency to mine, showing 400 percent better results than Bitcoin and other PoW-based currencies. Miners could generate an $8,000 ROI with Antminer Z9 mini in two years.

ASICminer Zeon 180K is yet another beast on the market that could mine up to 10 ZCash per day with hashrate of about 180ksol/s. Moreover, this is the first water-cooled miner that went into the mainstream, which means that you can barely hear it working (just keep an eye on that tank reservoir!). At the time of writing this article, it remains the second most profitable miner on the market.

Yes, this unicorn comes at an insane price – $20,000. Hence, many speculate that it would be more efficient to simply fork out this money on several Bitmain Antminer Z9s. One of the reasons why anyone would want to buy ASICminer Zeon 180K, which will most likely stay with you forever, is to do their part in disrupting Bitmain’s monopoly.

Decred or SiaCoin? Meet the mining juggernauts

MicroBT Whatsminer D1. This is one of the most powerful ASIC miners, which offers an eye-popping 48Th/s. It’s based on the Blake256R14 algorithm, which means that Decred (DCR) is the only currency you can mine with that hardware.

Taking into account the average price of electricity ($0.12 KWh per hour), it’s one of the very few ASICs that remain profitable during the prolonging crypto winter. At the time of writing this article, it could make $10.31 per day.

Obelisk SC1, a $4,000 miner that is specifically designed for mining Siacoin (SC), is the most profitable miner as of now: it could generate up to $20.69 on a daily basis!

Fire up your CPU to mine altcoins!

CPU Bitcoin mining stopped being relevant in 2010, but there are still plenty of coins you can simply mine on your laptop. That essentially explains why XMR is the most popular coin with cryptojackers who stealthily install mining software on other computers.

Monero is the only major coin on the block that can be still mined with CPU in 2018 given its resistance to ASIC hardware. However, it is still a much better option to go with GPUs given that CPUs may not give you the desired payout for months.

NB! It’s not the best idea to mine Monero with your laptop (even if it has a top-notch Intel Core i7 9700K) given that they have a tendency to overheat.

AEON is one of the most CPU-friendly coins due to its CryptoNight-light PoW algorithm. Aeon usually mines 3x of XMR.

While Bitmain, the Beijing-based ASIC producer is struggling to hype up its IPO, CPUs are on the verge of making a comeback. The VerusHash 2.0 algorithm, which was introduced on Dec. 21, is supposed to be the fastest CPU mining algorithm in the world, according to the team’s blog post.

Here’s how you can mine crypto with your smartphone

There are many coins that can be simply mined with the help of your phone. Case in point: Electroneum.

Electroneum (ETN) is a cryptocurrency that was launched in September 2017. Electroneum also helps its users to escape the ASIC hegemony with the help of the above-mentioned Cryptonite-light algorithm. The modus operandi is extremely simple – you have to download an Android app to start mining crypto.

It’s worth mentioning that some of the reviews are not particularly flattering with users calling the project an outright scam. The plethora of fraudulent apps that allegedly let users mine cryptocurrencies even forced Google to ban all mining apps from its Play Store.

Of course, it’s not the best option to use your smartphone for Bitcoin mining – it would take months to generate a tiny fraction of 1 BTC. However, back in 2017, C-Lab, an engineering team from Samsung, managed to come up with a creative way to utilize old Galaxy S5s by building a full-fledged mining rig.

The construction reportedly outperformed a powerful desktop computer

The bottom line

As you can see, the cryptocurrency mining market is saturated with all types of hardware – from your old smartphone to super-powerful ASIC miners that cost up to $20,000. It just goes to show you that everyone can dip their toes in that nascent industry even during the crypto rout.

Despite the bearish character of the market, some people haven't lost hope and continue mining cryptocurrency. All in all, this is still the easiest way to earn some digital coins – once the mining rig is set up, you don’t have to break a sweat to make a profit. However, the computations are becoming more and more complicated, so miners become disappointed in Bitcoin and Ethereum and switch to other coins instead.

For this reason, many start mining Monero: this is one of rare cryptocurrencies that can even be mined with a smartphone. But if you want to have higher chances of mining success, consider joining a Monero mining pool. This way, you’ll be able to generate blocks faster. Let’s observe the worthiest Monero pools for this year.

How to select the best Monero mining pool?

In order to choose the most efficient and safest platform, you should consider the following points:

Is any fee charged? Typically, Monero mining pools have a 1-2% fee.

What’s the total hashing power of the pool?

What is the minimum payout threshold? The lower, the better, especially if you have relatively weak mining hardware and need frequent payouts.

What’s the location of the pool servers? You need a pool with servers that are as close to you as possible (it should be at least on the same continent). The closer the servers are to your location, the higher the hash power will be.

The uptime should be at least 99% for your mining process to be uninterrupted.

To simplify the process of picking up the best Monero mining pool, we have analyzed the most popular options. It will help you to select the most agreeable solution.

Minergate

This Monero mining pool has been very popular due to several reasons. First, it ensures 99.7% uptime (which means there are practically no interruptions in the mining process). Secondly, it has a standard 1% fee – it’s more than agreeable. Minergate also has a very low minimum payout of 0.01 XMR, so you can easily have daily payouts.

To top it off, web mining is also available with Minergate. That’s what made the platform so popular. Minergate contributes roughly 16 MH/s to the world hashrate, which is approximately 460 MH/s.

MoneroHash

One of the oldest Monero mining pools, MoneroHash was established in October 2014. Its mining fee is a bit high (1.6%), but you avoid transaction fees by mining directly to the exchange wallet. The payout of 0.5 XMR is agreeable, so you should consider this solution, if you don’t have a particularly powerful mining rig. The hashrate at MoneroHash is 4.32 MH/s and uptime over the recent months was a solid 99.92%. The platform offers servers in the U.S. and finds blocks every 2 hours.

Other advantages include:

DDoS protection,

Integrated address support,

SSL/TLS encryption and IPv6 support.

MineXMR

MineXMR charges the same 1% fee as other mining pools, but what makes it stand out from the crowd is a low 0.004 XMR minimum payout, which guarantees you daily withdrawals. The uptime is unbeatable: 100%. Block generation is 45 minutes, and you can choose servers from all over the world. Currently, the hashrate remains over 95 MH/s. It’s not the highest number, but still more than enough for successful mining. Considering all that, it’s no surprise that mineXMR counts over 25,000 active XMR miners from all over the globe.

Nanopool

This is another popular option among XMR hunters. It implements the standard 1% mining fee, though uptime isn’t stable: it used to be 92.74%, but sometimes stays at the level of 99.99%. The minimum payment is 0.3 XMR, and Nanopool has several payment rounds per day. One reason to avoid Nanopool is that it currently has the largest hashrate of any pool at 103 MH/s, which means the number of users is too large. At the moment, overall number of miners exceeds 100,000, and the community continues growing.

While the default payout is 1 XMR, you can change this amount without raising the fee. Additionally, there are a few useful tools for mining and professional recommendations. Users can enjoy extra perks, including PPLNS reward system. Note that the coins you earn can be exchanged for other cryptocurrencies in the pool.

Monero Crypto Pool FR

Monero Crypto Pool FR is a great option for European based miners, though the uptime leaves a lot to be desired: recently, it was only 81.79%, which is simply unacceptable. Besides, the mining fee of 2% is quite high. Minimum withdrawal is 0.3 XMR, and the hashrate is 13.51 MH/s MH/s

Why then choose Monero Crypto Pool FR? This French mining pool ensures a decent level of security and a stable connection. It finds blocks every 7 hours, which is agreeable for having payments made once a day. Its community counts over 1,500 miners, and you will surely find someone trustworthy to cooperate with.

Support XMR

This pool supports XMR mining only, and it has a low fee of just 0.6% and a minimum payout of 0.1 XMR. Seems to be a pretty sweet concept, doesn’t it? Let me add an extra layer on this cake: SupportXMR pays their miners every two hours, and users are free to set up their own payment limits for regular and exchange wallets. You can also monitor the performance of your rigs on the per worker hashrate chart. The pool is popular, as you can tell by its 82.89 MH/s hashrate. Recently, Support XMR had an uptime of 100%.

As you can see from the table above, Support XMR seems to offer the best conditions for mining Monero. Being a platform with a narrow focus, it provides everything for fast and efficient earning. At the same time, other platforms mentioned also offer a few perks and appear to be very cost-efficient solutions.

You should also try...

Alternatively, you can try such pools as:

XMR.poolto.be

XMR.prohash.net

XMR.prohash.net

XMR Pool.net

The number of users there doesn’t exceed 1,000, but they provide a decent hashrate and different server locations. Choose a mining pool with servers in your country/continent – this way, you will enjoy better results.

Want to find mining partners some other way? Visit forums, such as Reddit: there, you will find information about Monero mining. Don’t forget to read the reviews about mining pools on some independent websites. Using a reliable Monero mining pool, you can multiply your riches quickly and with minimal effort.

Ethereum, the ultimate ‘it-currency’ of 2017, had a truly brutal year. On Dec. 7, its price tanked to $80, thus recording a jaw-dropping 94 drop from its January ATH of $1,349. The crypto rout forced many miners out of the market, but there’s a silver lining – decreasing mining difficulty. Hence, we wouldn’t recommend writing off Ether for the time being, given that it still remains one of the most profitable cryptocurrencies for long-term mining.

In this article, U.Today will have a look at the most popular mining software clients for Ethereum mining to determine which one will be the best choice for you.

Preliminary steps

Before we get down to our list of the best Ethereum mining software, here’s a small guide on how to install any mining software:

Make sure you’ve installed drivers for your GPU (they can be downloaded on the manufacturer’s website).

Download the Blockchain data for synchronization.

Connect your node to the whole network with the help of a chosen client.

NB! Once you’ve done all these steps, you can also create your own dApps and smart contracts apart from mining Ether.

Claymore

Claymore is a top-of-mind option given its ‘ubiquitous’ status with Ethereum miners, which gives its users the possibility to simultaneously mine Ether along with other coins. However, one has to take into consideration the fact that 2018, which marked the rise of ASIC monopoly, put a final nail in the coffin to double mining, thus making Claymore’s most salient feature obsolete.

However, keep in mind that Claymore is more than a run-of-the-mill mining client – it also performs the role of a remote manager and gives users an ability to set clocks/voltages, etc.

Phoenix Miner

Phoenix is another option for those who are looking for a Claymore alternative. Notably, it offers much lower dev fees (you can remove the fee altogether if you have the wits to complete the client yourself). Unlike Claymore, they didn’t add dual mining but this feature barely has any value of now. Redditors who compared both of the miners also point out that Phoenix has a higher level of stability. Furthermore, some users point out that Claymore had their hashrate 20-30 percent below the reported hashrate.

Geth, cpp-ethereum, Ethminer: what’s the difference?

Geth

Tech-savvy miners who are capable of producing a couple of code lines can consider running a software client that is called Geth (a shortening for ‘go-ethereum’). Geth is the implementation of the ‘Go’ scripting language, which is necessary for communicating with the Ethereum network. Obviously, the program is not recommended for those who are only getting started with Ethereum mining, but it can be a useful tool if you acquire the necessary programming skills.

cpp-ethereum

cpp-ethereum is yet another viable option if you are interested in Ethereum mining software. The code, which can be downloaded on GitHub, has been tested on various operational systems (Windows, Linux, OS X).

One also has to mention that AlethZero is the C++ implementation of the abovementioned Ethereum client. In 2015, the AlethOne version was released, which was supposed to make mining easier for users who can’t get around with the console-based client.

Ethminer

Ethminer is a command line mining program that supports any Ethash-based coin (Ethereum, Ethereum Classic, Metaverse, etc.). It is worth mentioning that Ethminer stems from the cpp-ethereum project.

NB! Ethminer and Geth both represent the command line interface but there is a difference in coding languages (the former is written in C++ while the latter is written in Go).

Miners are supposed to fork out a one percent dev fee (which is rather reasonable). The client has low system requirements, which makes it accessible for all types of miners. This software is constantly updated every two weeks or so.

Wineth

There’s a world of difference between Wineth and Geth – the former is specifically designed for beginner-level users. Its UI is super-simple even for those who never had any cryptocurrency mining experience. Moreover, there is no need to modify any settings since the client’s auto-configuration will choose the most suitable permanents instead of you. However, there is also a huge downside – Wineth is only compatible with Ethereum Classic.

MinerGate

In May 2016, MinerGate, one of the best-known multi-currency mining clients, announced its support for Ethereum. The main advantage of this specific client is that it suits both amateur and professional miners. MinerGate maximizes the efficiency of Ethereum mining by adjusting the settings to the GPU power.

Claude Lecomte, the CEO of MinerGate, claims that ‘1-click client’ was supposed to become an entry-level software for many uninitiated miners. It is capable of showing an impressive hashing output because of its new code architecture.

The support of multiple languages and a huge user base are also among the main reasons why you should consider choosing this client.

CGMiner

CGMiner is yet another miner on the list that requires programming skills. Those who simply downloaded a CGMiner folder from Github will find themselves at an impasse since they won’t figure out how to make it run. The thing is, the source code that you download from Github has to be compiled (alternatively, you can already download compiled versions that are available on the web).

Just like MinerGate, it functions as a mining pool software but it is also compatible with most types of mining hardware. The good thing about this software client is that you are not obliged to limit yourself to one single mining device.

Parity

Parity has a rather tainted reputation because of a major security breach that resulted in millions of Ether being stolen. Since then, they’ve managed to enhance their security, and there is a good reason to believe that they’ve learned their lesson.

The client is written in the bleeding-edge Rust programming language. Notably, it is integrated right into the Parity browser. It works with both Windows 10 and macOS.

Awesome Miner

Awesome Miner is a good option if you prioritize centralized mining management. The majority of clients that are featured on that list are mainly suitable for running one mining rig but if you want to run multiple mining engines (ASICs, FPGAs, etc.), it is advisable to stick with Awesome Miner. This client supports up to 25 clients and supports a wide range of coins that are based on popular algorithms.

The only disadvantage is that Awesome Miner doesn’t support any other operating systems apart from Windows. Hence, this miner is not that ‘awesome’ for Linux and MacOS fans.

The caveats

Back in June, multiple news outlets reported that hackers could steal over $20 mln in Ethereum from mining clients that were insecurely configured by amateur users. Cybercriminals could get unauthorized access to the cryptocurrency wallets of their victims. As you can see, almost all of these clients are not beginner-friendly. Meanwhile, WinEth is an easy-to-use Windows graphical client.

Another caveat pertains to those miners who are looking for an alternative Ethereum client. For instance, when users reach a certain level of stability with Claymore, they are hesitant to make a switch. On top of that, it is rather challenging to adjust a specific type of mining software to specific types of Ethereum mining hardware (Nvidia graphics cards are generally considered to be the safest option).