Cryptocurrency mining has evolved into a highly competitive and technically sophisticated industry. Among the key players driving this transformation is AntPool, one of the most influential and long-standing mining pools in the blockchain ecosystem. Operated by Bitmain, a global leader in ASIC mining hardware, AntPool has consistently delivered reliable, transparent, and efficient mining services since its launch in 2013. With headquarters in Beijing, AntPool has earned a reputation for innovation, stability, and user-centric features that cater to both novice and professional miners.
This article explores AntPool’s core offerings, technological advancements, historical milestones, and its role in shaping the future of decentralized networks—while addressing key concerns and questions from the mining community.
What Is AntPool?
AntPool is a high-performance cryptocurrency mining pool that supports multiple digital assets including Bitcoin (BTC), Litecoin (LTC), and Ethereum (ETH). It offers various payout methods such as PPS (Pay Per Share), PPLNS (Pay Per Last N Shares), and SOLO mining, giving miners flexibility based on their risk tolerance and operational scale.
As one of the earliest mining pools established by Bitmain, AntPool was once publicly recognized as the world’s largest cloud mining service provider. Its infrastructure is designed to maximize uptime, reduce latency, and ensure fair reward distribution—critical factors for maintaining profitability in an energy-intensive and volatile market.
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Key Features and Innovations
Mining Profitability Tools
In September, AntPool launched an integrated mining profit calculator and mining machine revenue ranking system. These tools allow users to:
- Track real-time earnings across major cryptocurrencies
- Estimate return on investment (ROI) based on custom inputs like electricity cost, hash rate, and pool fees
- Compare performance between ASIC and GPU miners during peak sales seasons
These features are accessible directly through the AntPool dashboard, empowering miners with data-driven insights to make informed decisions—especially crucial during bull runs or post-halving adjustments.
Support for Multiple Payment Models
AntPool stands out by supporting diverse payout structures:
- PPS: Offers stable income with minimal variance but higher pool fees
- PPLNS: Rewards long-term loyalty; ideal for consistent contributors
- SOLO: High-risk, high-reward model where miners earn full block rewards if they find a block
This versatility makes AntPool suitable for different mining strategies and risk profiles.
Network Participation and Decentralization Efforts
EOS Super Node Election Success
AntPool played a pivotal role in the EOS blockchain ecosystem by successfully becoming one of the 21 elected EOS super nodes. This achievement underscores its commitment to network security and decentralization.
The pool emphasized shared values with the EOS community—freedom, equality, and respect—and positioned itself as a guardian of network integrity. Leveraging its strong developer network and operational expertise, AntPool contributes to consensus validation and governance participation within EOS.
At its peak, AntPool ranked 11th among active super nodes, demonstrating substantial stakeholder trust and technical reliability.
Market Dynamics and Strategic Adjustments
Response to ETC Network Instability
In August, Ethereum Classic (ETC) experienced a significant decline in network hash rate—dropping from 7.9 TH/s to around 3 TH/s, a decrease of approximately 62%. This slump followed repeated 51% attacks, which undermined miner confidence in ETC’s long-term viability.
As a result, AntPool made a strategic decision to discontinue ETC mining support starting August 13. The move reflected broader industry concerns over network security and profitability amid declining miner participation—from over 17,700 miners to just 5,269 in one month.
This example highlights how leading mining pools like AntPool must continuously evaluate asset sustainability and adjust offerings accordingly to protect user interests.
Operational Updates: Fee and Payout Adjustments
Increase in Bitcoin Minimum Payout Threshold
Due to rising Bitcoin network transaction fees, AntPool announced an adjustment to its minimum payout threshold for BTC—from 0.001 BTC to 0.01 BTC. This change helps reduce on-chain congestion and lowers cumulative transfer costs for both the pool and its users.
While other cryptocurrencies remained unaffected, this update illustrates how external blockchain conditions directly influence mining pool operations. Users are encouraged to monitor fee trends and adjust withdrawal strategies to maintain optimal cash flow.
Industry Insights: The Philosophy of Sustainable Mining
At the Wanyou Computing 2019 New Product Launch Event in Chengdu, industry leaders gathered to discuss the future of mining amid Bitcoin’s approaching halving cycle. Notably, Lyuyongshuang, CEO of Wanyou Computing, stated:
“Bear market thinking is the survival rule of the mining game.”
Her insight resonated with executives from major pools including BTC.com, Poolin, ViaBTC, F2Pool, and OKX Mining Pool, who agreed that resilience comes from cost discipline, operational efficiency, and long-term vision—not short-term gains.
During the event, new ecosystem tools were introduced:
- 1TMine算力 platform
- 1THash Bitcoin hash rate explorer
- Bytepool.com mining pool
These innovations reflect a growing trend toward integrated mining ecosystems that combine hardware, software, and financial tools under one umbrella.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Is AntPool still operational in 2025?
Yes, AntPool remains fully operational in 2025. It continues to support Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum mining with updated infrastructure and security protocols.
Q2: Why did AntPool stop supporting ETC mining?
AntPool discontinued ETC mining due to repeated 51% attacks and a sharp decline in network hashrate—from nearly 8 TH/s to below 3 TH/s—raising concerns about network stability and miner profitability.
Q3: What payout methods does AntPool offer?
AntPool supports PPS, PPLNS, and SOLO mining models, allowing miners to choose based on their preference for income stability versus potential reward size.
Q4: Has AntPool been involved in any major blockchain networks?
Yes. In addition to Bitcoin mining, AntPool was elected as one of the 21 EOS super nodes, contributing to block validation and governance within the EOSIO blockchain.
Q5: How does AntPool help miners calculate profits?
AntPool provides an integrated mining profit calculator that lets users input variables like power cost, hash rate, and pool fee to estimate daily earnings and ROI across multiple cryptocurrencies.
Q6: Did AntPool increase its Bitcoin payout threshold?
Yes. Due to high on-chain transaction fees, AntPool raised its minimum BTC payout from 0.001 BTC to 0.01 BTC to reduce transfer costs and improve overall efficiency.
Final Thoughts: AntPool’s Role in Modern Mining
AntPool exemplifies how a well-engineered mining platform can adapt to shifting market dynamics while maintaining trust and performance. From launching analytical tools to participating in decentralized governance, it continues to shape the infrastructure of blockchain networks worldwide.
Whether you're managing a small home rig or operating a large-scale mining farm, understanding platforms like AntPool is essential for maximizing returns and staying ahead in the competitive world of crypto mining.
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