In a remarkable stroke of luck, a solo Bitcoin miner operating with just 2.3 petahashes per second (PH/s) of hashpower has successfully mined a full Bitcoin block, netting an impressive $349,028 in block rewards.
This rare event highlights both the unpredictable nature of Bitcoin mining and the ongoing relevance of individual miners in a network dominated by large-scale operations.
Block 903883 Solved: $349K Earned by Solo Miner
On Thursday, the solo miner struck digital gold by solving block 903883 on the Bitcoin network. The reward totaled 3.173 BTC, according to data from Mempool Space. The miner was operating through the well-known CKpool, a platform that allows smaller, individual miners to connect and mine solo while still sharing infrastructure.
Pete Rizzo, a respected Bitcoin historian, described the event as “beating incredible odds.” According to CKpool’s administrator, a miner with just 2.3 PH/s has about a 1 in 2,800 chance per day of finding a block — or once every 8 years on average. At current network difficulty levels, the probability of solving a block per attempt is just 0.00026% (1 in ~375,000).
How Small Was the Miner’s Setup?
While the exact hardware used remains unknown, it’s speculated that the miner operated several older-generation ASICs to reach the 2.3 PH/s hash rate. For reference:
- Top solo-friendly rigs like the Bitaxe Gamma or FutureBit Apollo BTC generate only a few terahashes per second (TH/s).
- To mine one block per month reliably, a solo miner would need approximately 166,000 TH/s (166 PH/s) — equivalent to nearly 500 Antminer S21 Hydro units, costing millions in hardware and electricity.
In contrast, this solo miner likely invested a fraction of that cost, underscoring how luck and probability, not just power, can play a role in mining outcomes.
Not the First Time: Other Solo Wins in 2025
This isn’t the first time a small-scale solo miner has hit the jackpot this year. Previous solo mining wins include:
- February 2025: A miner solved block 883,181, earning over $300,000.
- June 2025: Block 899,826 was mined by another solo participant, bagging $330,000 amid peak network difficulty.
These rare victories demonstrate that despite the growing centralization of Bitcoin mining, there’s still room for individual miners to succeed — if luck is on their side.
Meanwhile, Big Miners Cut Output
Interestingly, this solo win comes at a time when industrial mining firms like Riot Platforms, Cipher Mining, and MARA Holdings reported declines in mining production for June. The slowdown is largely attributed to weather-related curtailments and peak electricity tariffs in regions like Texas, where many large-scale operations are based.
Hope for the Home Miner
This incredible event offers a dose of optimism for home miners and hobbyists who remain committed to solo mining. While the odds are long, the rewards can be life-changing — and as this miner just proved, you don’t need a massive operation to win big.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.