For many years, the phrase ‘Ethereum mining’ has been synonymous with the opportunity to earn cryptocurrency using the computing power of your computer.However, it is time to set the record straight: Ethereum mining in its classic sense no longer exists. If you are looking for ways to ‘mine’ ETH using graphics cards or ASIC miners, this option will no longer be available from September 2022. This article is your up-to-date guide to the new era of Ethereum. We will explain what has replaced mining, how the network is now structured, and how you can participate in it and earn income in 2026.
The end of an era: why ETH mining is now history
The Ethereum blockchain has made a historic transition from the Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus algorithm to Proof-of-Stake (PoS). This event, known as The Merge, took place on 15 September 2022.
The reasons for this fundamental change were:
- Energy efficiency. PoS consumes ~99.95% less electricity, making the network environmentally sustainable.
- Security and decentralisation. The new model makes attacks on the network economically unprofitable and opens the way for more people to participate.
- Scalability. PoS has become a critical foundation for subsequent upgrades that will increase the network's throughput.
Ethereum no longer relies on energy-intensive competition to solve cryptographic puzzles. Its mechanism of operation has changed dramatically.
What about mining? Does it still exist?
Yes, but not for Ethereum. Classic mining on the Proof-of-Work algorithm remains relevant and is the basis of security for other large blockchains, primarily Bitcoin (BTC). It is also used by networks such as Litecoin (LTC) and Dogecoin (DOGE).
As of early February 2026, the total capitalisation of PoW coins exceeds $1.6 trillion. Most of this volume is achieved by Bitcoin – about $1.5 trillion.
If your goal is mining, then you should study the equipment, pools, and profitability for these cryptocurrencies. But if you are interested in Ethereum and its ecosystem, your path now lies through staking.
Staking and validation in Ethereum
Instead of ‘miners,’ there are now validators. Instead of computing power, there is a stake in the network itself. Here's how it works:
- To become a validator and participate in confirming transactions/creating blocks, you need to deposit and ‘lock’ 32 ETH in the network's smart contract. This is your stake.
- Validators take turns proposing new blocks and confirming those proposed by others. The more ETH you stake, the higher your chance of being selected.
- Validators receive a reward in ETH for their honest work. If they attempt to harm the network, for example, by confirming incorrect transactions, their stake may be reduced (slashing) — this is a powerful economic incentive for honesty.
The key differences between mining (PoW) and staking (PoS) are presented in the table.
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| Aspect | Ethereum mining (2022) | Ethereum staking (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Main resource | Computing power (hash rate) of equipment | Number of staked ETH coins (share) |
| Participants | Miners | Validators and Delegators |
| Entry barrier | Purchase of expensive equipment (ASIC, GPU), high electricity bills | Availability of 32 ETH (approximately £50,000) for independent validation or any amount through services |
| Energy consumption | Very high | Low |
| Decentralisation | Risk of concentration among large mining pools and hardware manufacturers | A more distributed model, where voting rights are determined by share rather than electricity |
Choosing a staking strategy: from beginner to expert
Staking is not a monolithic process. Depending on your goals, capital amount, and technical expertise, you can choose the optimal path. Here is a detailed breakdown of the three main strategies relevant in 2026.
Conservative Liquidity Strategy (For beginners and traders)
Liquid staking through large pools (Lido, Rocket Pool). You deposit ETH and receive a tokenised share (stETH, rETH). These tokens automatically increase in value relative to ETH, reflecting your accumulated rewards.
Advantages. No waiting period for withdrawal — you can sell stETH on DEX at any time. Opportunity to participate in DeFi for double returns.
Disadvantages. Minor smart contract risk. Returns are ~0.5-1% lower than with self-validation.
This option is suitable for those who want to combine passive income with quick access to funds.
Maximum Return Strategy (For experts with technical skills)
Solo Staking or participation in the Rocket Pool decentralised pool as a node operator. You launch and maintain your own validation node. In Rocket Pool, this can be done with 16 ETH and an additional minimum of 10% of the cost in RPL tokens.
Advantages. The highest possible return, you receive commissions from the shares you attract. Maximum control and security.
Disadvantages. High liability threshold: you must ensure 99.9% node uptime, otherwise penalties will follow. Requires in-depth technical knowledge.
This option is suitable for experienced users with capital of 16-32 ETH who are willing to invest time in supporting the infrastructure.
‘Stable passive income’ strategy (For long-term investors)
Staking through verified centralised exchanges (CEX). To participate, simply click the ‘Stake’ button in the exchange interface.
Advantages. Absolute simplicity, no technical barriers. Often no minimum amount.
Disadvantages. Custodial risk – you entrust your assets to a third party. There is usually an unlocking period for withdrawals. The return is usually the lowest.
This strategy is suitable for long-term ETH holders who prioritise simplicity.
How to participate in Ethereum staking in 2026: practical steps
If you choose to become an independent validator, it is important to understand the actual technical requirements in 2026. Reliability and stability are critical:
- Hardware. A modern 4-core CPU, 16-32 GB of RAM, a fast SSD with a capacity of at least 2 TB, and a stable wired internet connection.
- Software. You need to run two clients simultaneously: an execution layer client (Geth, Nethermind) and a consensus layer client (Lighthouse, Prysm).
Important tip for 2026. Choose different clients for each layer to increase network stability. With new updates to the Ethereum protocol, the minimum and recommended parameters may change.
Basic steps to get started:
- Purchase ETH on a reliable exchange.
- Choose a staking strategy from those described above.
- For non-independent methods: follow the instructions of the selected service (exchange, Lido, Rocket Pool).
- For independent validation: set up a node, generate keys, and deposit 32 ETH through the official Ethereum deposit contract.
Profitability and how to work with rewards instantly
The profitability of staking is not just a fixed percentage. It is influenced by dynamic factors:
- The total amount of ETH in staking is the main factor. An increase in this indicator leads to a gradual decrease in individual rewards if there are many participants.
- Transaction fees (Tips/MEV). During periods of high load, these rewards can significantly exceed the base ones. In 2026, there are relays that help validators earn this profit ethically.
- Validator performance. Rewards decrease in proportion to downtime. Your actual return directly depends on the reliability of your infrastructure.
For example, with liquid staking of 10 ETH at an ARP of 4%, the return will be 0.4 ETH per year. If you choose an independent option with 32 ETH staking, then with a base ARP of 3.5% and additional income from commission fees, the real rate can be 4.5-5.5% per annum.
Your ETH rewards need to be used effectively. This is where technological solutions such as the 0xProcessing payment gateway come in handy. Why 0xProcessing is the ideal partner for stakers:
- Fast withdrawal. The gateway supports 65+ popular cryptocurrencies, plus the ability to convert to fiat and withdraw in fiat.
- Maximum throughput. Transaction approval rate of up to 99.9%.
- Protection against volatility. Built-in tools allow you to automate financial transactions: for example, automatically convert ETH to USDT to avoid losses in case of a drop in the Ethereum exchange rate.
If you are developing a project in the Ethereum ecosystem, 0xProcessing makes it easy to accept payments from your users. Ready to manage your crypto assets effectively? Integrate 0xProcessing today and quickly withdraw your staking rewards.
The future of Ethereum
The legal status of staking varies from country to country. In many jurisdictions, staking rewards are considered taxable income. Before you begin, research your country's laws regarding cryptocurrencies and reporting.
The transition to PoS has resolved the main environmental concern with Ethereum. The network is now one of the ‘greenest’ among major blockchains.
Ethereum continues to evolve. After The Merge, the focus is on scaling through modular solutions (Layer-2 networks such as Arbitrum, Optimism, zkSync) and further protocol upgrades (Verkle trees, Proto-dashboarding). This will make the network even more efficient, affordable, and convenient for billions of users, which in turn will support the value and demand for ETH and its staking ecosystem.
The era of Ethereum mining is over. It has been replaced by a more efficient, secure, and environmentally friendly staking model with a choice of strategies for any level of expertise. Participation in the network now requires an economic stake rather than energy. And with tools like 0xProcessing, managing your earned assets is fast, secure and automated, allowing you to lock in profits and maximise the benefits of your participation in Ethereum.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to ‘mine’ 1 ETH in 2026?
The question is meaningless. You don't ‘mine’ ETH, you get rewarded for staking. The amount depends on your stake and the current network yield. For example, with a yield of 4% and a stake of 32 ETH, you will receive approximately 1.28 ETH per year.
Is staking dangerous and can you lose your ETH?
Yes, there are risks. When validating independently, you can be penalised (slashed) for failures or malicious actions. When using third-party services, there is a risk of hacking or fraud on their part. Always choose proven, reputable platforms.
What happened to the old mining equipment for ETH?
Most of the GPUs have been repurposed for mining other PoW coins or sold. Specialised ASIC miners for Ethash are obsolete and have lost almost all their value.
Can I withdraw my ETH if it is staked?
Yes. After the Shanghai update in 2023, it became possible to withdraw funds. However, especially with self-validation, withdrawal is not an instant operation, but a queue that can take from several days to weeks.
Are staking and DeFi competitors?
More like symbiosis. Liquid staking has created a new class of assets (stETH, rETH) that are actively used in DeFi protocols for lending and farming, generating additional returns on top of staking.
