Mining Bitcoin in 2025–2026 is no longer a hobby. With the increase in network difficulty and halving, profitability now depends almost exclusively on two elements: equipment efficiency And the cost of electricity.
In this article Minent.eu, we explain how much does mining a Bitcoin actually cost?, with concrete examples based on current ASICs, and how to reduce this cost to remain profitable.
What does “miner 1 Bitcoin” actually mean?
A miner does not produce 1 Bitcoin at once.
Each machine generates a fraction of BTC per day, depending on:
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its computing power (TH/s),
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the difficulty of the network,
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the block reward.
Mining “1 BTC” therefore corresponds to gradually accumulate fractions of Bitcoin, usually via a mining pool.
The 4 factors that determine the cost of mining 1 Bitcoin
1. Computing power (hashrate)
The more powerful an ASIC is, the more it captures a significant portion of the network's overall hashrate.
Examples:
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Antminer S19K Pro: approximately 115 TH/s
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Antminer S21: approximately 216 TH/s
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Antminer S23: approximately 318 TH/s
2. Electricity consumption
Mining operates 24 hours a day.
Consumption is therefore continuous.
Example :
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3.5 kW × 24 h = 84 kWh per day
This is the first item of expenditure.
3. The price of the kWh
This is the deciding factor.
Orders of magnitude:
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Less than €0.09/kWh: very competitive
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0.10 to 0.12 €/kWh: acceptable with recent ASIC
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Beyond €0.15/kWh: difficult to make a profit
4. The difficulty of the network Bitcoin
The difficulty increases with:
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the arrival of new miners,
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more efficient generations.
Result : each TH/s produces less BTC over time.
Concrete example: cost to mine 1 BTC with a Antminer S21+
Data used:
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Hashrate: 216 TH/s
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Consumption: 3,564 W
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Electricity price: €0.08/kWh
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Estimated average production: approximately 0.00028 BTC per day
Daily electricity cost
3.564 kW × 24 h × €0.08 = €6.84 per day
Time taken to produce 1 BTC
1 / 0.00028 ≈ 3,570 days
Total electricity cost for 1 BTC
€6.84 × 3,570 ≈ €24,400 for electricity
This figure varies depending on the difficulty and price of Bitcoin, but it shows one essential thing: energy efficiency is crucial.
Comparison of the cost to mine 1 Bitcoin according to ASIC
| Model | Efficiency (J/TH) | Estimated cost for 1 BTC |
|---|---|---|
| Antminer S19K Pro | ~23.9 | Pupil |
| Antminer S21 | ~16.5 | AVERAGE |
| Antminer S21 Hydro | ~15 | Down |
| Antminer S23 (2026) | ~11 | Very low |
The lower the J/TH, the lower the real cost per Bitcoin.
How to reduce the cost to mine 1 Bitcoin
Choose a recent ASIC
An S23 consumes up to 40% less electricity per TH than an S19.
In the long term, the most efficient hardware is always the cheapest per BTC produced.
Optimize cooling
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Well directed air
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Clean filters
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Ambient temperature below 30°C
A machine that heats up consumes more and loses efficiency.
Switch to hydro or immersion
Liquid cooling allows:
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a stable temperature,
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less losses,
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better longevity.
Use undervolt intelligently
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5 to 10% reduction in consumption
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Limited loss of hashrate (2 to 3%)
The cost per BTC is decreasing.
Optimize the electrical contract
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Off-peak hours
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Professional rate
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Local or industrial energy
The price per kWh is often more important than the price of the machine.
Is it still profitable to mine 1 Bitcoin in 2025–2026?
It is no longer profitable if:
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the material is old,
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the kWh is too expensive,
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the installation is poorly ventilated.
It is profitable if:
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the ASIC is recent (S21, S23),
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the kWh is less than €0.10,
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the infrastructure is well dimensioned.
Mining is now a industrial activity, not a speculative bet.
Conclusion Minent.eu
The real cost to mine 1 Bitcoin depends above all on:
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the energy efficiency of the miner,
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the price of electricity,
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the quality of the installation.
New generation ASICs such as Antminer S21, S21 Hydro and S23 allow us to remain competitive despite the increase in network difficulty.
Minent.eu supports individual and professional miners in the choice of equipment, energy optimization and technical support.
Minent.eu – the French partner for professional and sustainable Bitcoin mining.