Bitcoin Cash (BCH) remains one of the most prominent cryptocurrencies born from a hard fork of Bitcoin, maintaining strong relevance in the mining community due to its SHA-256 consensus algorithm. This compatibility means that any miner capable of processing SHA-256 hashing can effectively mine BCH—making it accessible to a wide range of existing mining hardware.
In this comprehensive guide, we explore the core aspects of Bitcoin Cash mining, spotlight top-performing mining machines optimized for SHA-256, and provide insights into efficiency metrics such as hashrate, power consumption, and cost-effectiveness. Whether you're a beginner entering the space or an experienced miner optimizing your rig lineup, this resource delivers actionable intelligence for profitable BCH mining.
👉 Discover how to maximize your mining returns with efficient hardware setups.
What Is Bitcoin Cash (BCH)?
Bitcoin Cash (BCH) emerged on August 1, 2017, as a direct result of a hard fork from the original Bitcoin blockchain at block height 478,558. The primary motivation behind the split was to address Bitcoin’s growing transaction congestion caused by its 1MB block size limit. While the Bitcoin core developers advocated for SegWit (Segregated Witness) as a scalability solution, a faction within the community pushed for larger blocks to increase throughput directly.
This led to the creation of Bitcoin Cash with an initial block size of 8MB—six times larger than Bitcoin’s at the time. Since then, BCH has undergone further upgrades and now supports block sizes up to 32MB, allowing for faster and cheaper transactions even during peak network usage.
Despite sharing key features with Bitcoin—such as a fixed supply cap of 21 million coins, identical proof-of-work (PoW) SHA-256 algorithm, similar block time (~10 minutes), and difficulty adjustment mechanisms—BCH distinguishes itself through its commitment to on-chain scaling. This design philosophy makes it particularly attractive for users and miners who prioritize decentralization and peer-to-peer electronic cash functionality.
Why Mine Bitcoin Cash?
Mining BCH offers several compelling advantages:
- Algorithm Compatibility: Since BCH uses SHA-256, miners don’t need specialized equipment beyond what’s used for Bitcoin.
- Lower Competition: Compared to Bitcoin’s massive network hashrate, BCH’s mining difficulty is significantly lower, increasing individual profitability potential.
- Transaction Volume: BCH consistently handles a meaningful volume of daily transactions, ensuring continued miner incentives via fees and block rewards.
- Proven Longevity: With over six years since its inception and sustained development, BCH demonstrates resilience and community support.
These factors make BCH mining a viable alternative or supplement to Bitcoin mining, especially when leveraging efficient hardware.
Top Bitcoin Cash Mining Machines (SHA-256 Compatible)
Because Bitcoin Cash shares the same hashing algorithm as Bitcoin, any SHA-256 miner can contribute to the BCH network. Below is a curated list of leading mining rigs ranked by performance efficiency, focusing on hashrate (TH/s), power draw (Watts), and watts per terahash (W/TH)—a critical metric for evaluating energy efficiency.
High-Efficiency Miners (Below 50 W/TH)
These models represent the cutting edge in energy-efficient mining:
- Antminer S17: 53 TH/s | 2,280W | 43 W/TH
- Antminer S17 Pro: 56 TH/s | 2,780W | 50 W/TH
- WhatsMiner M20S: 68 TH/s | 3,385W | 50 W/TH
- Innosilicon T3+ (57T): 57 TH/s | 3,300W | 58 W/TH
The Antminer S17 stands out for its balance of power efficiency and reliability, while the WhatsMiner M20S leads in raw hashrate output among efficient units.
Mid-Tier Performance Miners (50–70 W/TH)
Ideal for miners balancing upfront cost and long-term operation:
- WhatsMiner M21S: 56 TH/s | 3,360W | 60 W/TH
- Ebang E12+: 50 TH/s | 2,500W | 50 W/TH
- Innosilicon T3 (50T): 50 TH/s | 3,100W | 62 W/TH
- AvalonMiner A1066: 50 TH/s | 3,250W | 65 W/TH
These models are widely available and offer solid returns in regions with moderate electricity costs.
Entry-Level & Older Generation Miners (70+ W/TH)
While less efficient, older models remain operational in low-cost power environments:
- Antminer T17: 40 TH/s | 2,200W | 55 W/TH
- Antminer S15: 28 TH/s | 1,690W | 60 W/TH
- AvalonMiner A911: 19.5 TH/s | 1,800W | 92 W/TH
- Antminer S9 Series (S9i, S9j): ~14 TH/s | ~1,400W | ~100 W/TH
Though outdated compared to newer ASICs, these units still generate revenue on secondary markets or in areas with sub-$0.06/kWh electricity rates.
👉 See which miners deliver the best ROI under current network conditions.
Key Metrics for Choosing a BCH Miner
When selecting a mining machine for Bitcoin Cash, consider these four critical factors:
- Hashrate (TH/s): Determines how quickly your device solves cryptographic puzzles.
- Power Consumption (W): Impacts your ongoing electricity costs—the lower, the better.
- Energy Efficiency (W/TH): The golden standard; values below 50 are excellent.
- Upfront Cost & Availability: Balance initial investment against projected earnings.
Additionally, factor in noise levels, durability, and vendor reputation—especially when purchasing secondhand equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I use a Bitcoin miner to mine Bitcoin Cash?
A: Yes. Since both BTC and BCH use the SHA-256 algorithm, any Bitcoin miner can mine BCH without modification.
Q: Is Bitcoin Cash mining still profitable in 2025?
A: Profitability depends on electricity cost, hardware efficiency, and market price. With efficient miners and low energy costs (< $0.07/kWh), BCH mining remains viable.
Q: Do I need a special wallet to receive mined BCH?
A: Yes. You’ll need a cryptocurrency wallet that supports Bitcoin Cash (BCH), not to be confused with Bitcoin (BTC). Always verify address formats before sending funds.
Q: Should I join a mining pool for BCH?
A: Absolutely. Solo mining is nearly impossible due to competition. Pools combine hashing power and distribute rewards proportionally, ensuring more consistent payouts.
Q: How often does BCH adjust mining difficulty?
A: Like Bitcoin, BCH adjusts difficulty approximately every 2016 blocks (~two weeks) to maintain a stable block time of around 10 minutes.
Q: Are newer ASICs worth upgrading to?
A: If you’re using older models like the Antminer S9 series (100+ W/TH), upgrading to a sub-50 W/TH model can drastically reduce operating costs and improve margins.
Final Thoughts
Bitcoin Cash continues to offer a practical and profitable avenue for SHA-256 miners seeking alternatives or complements to Bitcoin mining. With scalable block sizes and consistent transaction activity, BCH maintains relevance in the evolving crypto ecosystem.
Choosing the right mining equipment—prioritizing energy efficiency and reliability—is crucial for maximizing returns. Whether deploying high-end WhatsMiners or repurposing older Antminers in low-cost energy zones, strategic planning enhances long-term success.
👉 Start calculating your potential earnings with top-performing ASIC miners today.
By staying informed about hardware trends, network dynamics, and energy economics, miners can position themselves advantageously in the competitive world of cryptocurrency mining—especially within the resilient and efficient Bitcoin Cash network.
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