36 Blocks, 36 Guardians: Independent Bitcoin Miners' 2025 Financial Report

In 2025, independent Bitcoin miners mined 36 blocks. This number seems small—since the Bitcoin network produces approximately 144 blocks per day, these 36 blocks account for only 0.27% of the total blocks in a year. However, the story behind these 36 blocks reflects profound changes happening in Bitcoin mining.

The Profit Story Behind the Data

According to the latest statistics, these 36 blocks brought a total of 3.125 BTC in block rewards and fees to independent miners. At the current BTC price of $91,192.45, the average earnings per block are approximately $317,000.

This means that, on average, each independent miner’s earnings from mining in 2025 are quite substantial. But the question is—how many independent miners hold these 36 blocks? The rarity of this number itself indicates a problem.

A Realistic Portrait of Mining Centralization

The Bitcoin network produces about 144 blocks daily. If these 36 blocks are the total annual output of independent miners, it implies:

• Independent miners average less than 0.1 blocks per day
• Most days, no independent miner successfully mines any block
• The vast majority of blocks come from mining pools and large mining companies

This reflects a reality: Bitcoin mining is accelerating towards centralization. Large mining companies and pools have more hash power, better cost control, and risk management capabilities, squeezing the survival space for independent miners year by year.

Challenges Faced by Independent Miners

Why are independent miners becoming fewer? The main reasons include:

• Intense hash power competition: Mining difficulty increases with total network hash rate, requiring more hardware investment from independent miners
• Cost pressures: Electricity costs, hardware depreciation, and maintenance costs weigh more heavily on small miners
• Unstable income: Independent miners may go months without mining a block, facing significant cash flow pressures
• Technical barriers: Requires certain technical knowledge and operational capabilities

In contrast, joining mining pools can provide stable income sharing, which is why most miners choose this route.

The Value of the Maintainers

Although the number 36 seems small, the existence of these independent miners remains very important:

• Maintaining network decentralization: Independent miners increase network dispersion, reducing the risk of mining being controlled by a few large companies
• Preserving a competitive ecosystem: Their presence reminds the market that Bitcoin mining is still open to small players
• Driving technological innovation: Some independent miners innovate in cost optimization and efficiency improvements

Future Directions to Watch

As BTC prices fluctuate and mining difficulty adjusts, the earnings expectations for independent miners will also change. When BTC prices rise, higher rewards may attract more independent miners back; when prices fall, marginal miners may be forced to exit. Additionally, new mining technologies (such as more efficient chips and renewable energy solutions) could create new opportunities for independent miners.

Summary

36 blocks, with an average of $317,000 per block—this figure demonstrates the high value of Bitcoin mining but also exposes the current state of mining centralization. These independent miners are the last line of defense for Bitcoin network decentralization. Their persistence, though small in scale, is profoundly meaningful. In an era of increasingly powerful large mining companies, these 36 blocks remind us that Bitcoin’s democratization is still being maintained by some steadfast individuals.