How the $373,000 solo miner landed their one-in-a-million win
On July 26, 2025, a solo Bitcoin miner secured an extraordinary milestone by mining block 907,283 via the Solo CKPool.
They faced significant odds in a network largely occupied by large-scale operations to obtain the full block reward of 3.125 Bitcoin (BTC), valued at approximately $372,700. The block comprised 4,038 transactions and fees amounting to $3,400.
Solo CK is a distinctive mining pool enabling individuals to mine independently while utilizing shared infrastructure. Unlike traditional pools, it does not distribute rewards.
This remarkable achievement occurred as Bitcoin’s network difficulty lingered near historic highs (around 26 trillion), rendering solo successes less likely.
Nevertheless, the miner outperformed millions of competing miners with unwavering determination and a touch of luck. The successful addition of the block to the blockchain served as a compelling reminder that, despite the mining market’s corporatization and competitiveness, small operators can still attain success — albeit with minuscule odds.
Understanding how the Solo CKPool functions
Solo CKPool is mainly aimed at miners wishing to operate solo without the need to manage everything themselves. In contrast to traditional pools that distribute rewards based on hash power, Solo CK allows miners to receive the entire block reward — but only if they successfully mine the block. If they do not, they earn nothing.
It resembles genuine solo mining but operates on infrastructure managed by the CKPool operator, offering more stability and superior connectivity compared to running a node independently.
This setup gives small-scale miners a shot at securing complete rewards, even with slim chances. It’s a high-risk, high-reward scenario, perfect for those aware of the low probability yet seeking the potential payout of 3.125 BTC in one stroke.
You can monitor your mining statistics and block status through platforms like solostats.ckpool.org and mempool.space. These resources aid in verifying whether your miner has submitted a valid block. Occasionally, someone does — like the solo miner who mined block 907,283 — proving it’s achievable.
Did you know? Satoshi Nakamoto mined the inaugural Bitcoin block, the “Genesis Block,” on Jan. 3, 2009. It featured a concealed message referring to a newspaper headline, affirming it wasn’t pre-mined and marking the commencement of decentralized currency.
The challenges and rarity of solo mining
Solo Bitcoin mining is exceedingly challenging in today’s intensely competitive landscape. The global network hashrate currently hovers around 902 exahashes per second (EH/s), and mining difficulty has surpassed 127 trillion. Industrial-scale operations dominate this space.
A miner with 1 petahash per second (PH/s) has approximately a one-in-4.26 million chance of solving a block on any given day. For context, you’re far more likely to be struck by lightning than to mine a block solo at that rate.
This staggering statistical improbability renders solo victories exceptionally rare in 2025. However, they still occur. And when they do, they remind everyone that Bitcoin was designed for decentralization, where even the smallest participant can walk away with the entire block reward and transaction fees.
Other solo Bitcoin miner successes in 2025
A select few solo Bitcoin miners have defied the odds in 2025, achieving wins that reverberated throughout the mining community.
In February, for example, one miner solved block 883,181 and secured the entire 3.125 BTC reward (valued at around $300,000 at the time).
March and June brought similar success stories, including one instance where a miner utilized a modest 480 gigahash-per-second Bitaxe rig — a low-power, DIY device — to mine a complete block. For comparison, major mining firms typically operate hardware rated at over 230,000 GH/s.
On June 5, another solo miner validated block 899,826 using the Solo CKPool and garnered a reward of $330,386, which included 3.125 BTC from the block subsidy and 0.026 BTC in fees. The block comprised 3,680 transactions, and the network difficulty was 126.98 trillion.
Did you know? The notorious 10,000-BTC pizza purchase in 2010 likely originated from early mining rewards. Back then, each block rewarded 50 BTC, and coins were often casually traded or gifted (long before they held any real market value).
How these solo Bitcoin miners achieved their wins
Solo Bitcoin miners continue to demonstrate that effective hardware, persistence, and a sprinkle of luck can yield results. Their victories preserve the spirit of decentralization.
- Application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs): ASICs are specialized machines offering high computing power with minimal energy consumption. They provide small-scale miners a fighting chance, especially when paired with platforms like Solo CKPool. Nonetheless, solo mining is a high-risk endeavor. Most attempts yield no reward, but occasionally, a miner successfully solves a block and receives the full payout. These rare victories persist in inspiring miners pursuing that one significant success.
- Core tenets of Bitcoin: Solo mining triumphs do more than reward persistence; they exemplify Bitcoin’s foundational principles. These instances show that anyone, anywhere, can contribute to network security without needing approval. Each successful block underscores Bitcoin’s open and decentralized structure. Simply put, solo victories serve as reminders of the individual’s influence in a global network designed for inclusivity.
- Persistence and luck: Technical advancements can only do so much; persistence and luck remain key influencers of the outcome. Even with ASICs operating continuously, most solo miners comprehend the odds are against them. Yet they persist, driven by the conviction that one valid hash could alter everything. In this regard, every win is part triumph and part testament to endurance.
Platforms like Solo CKPool enable individuals to mine Bitcoin without joining a large corporate structure. Most solo efforts do not result in payouts, but occasionally, fortune smiles, and a miner secures the entire block reward.
Did you know? When Bitcoin first launched in 2009, each block rewarded 50 BTC. The reward is halved approximately every four years: 25 BTC in 2012, 12.5 BTC in 2016, 6.25 BTC in 2020, and 3.125 BTC in 2024. This gradual decrease ensures scarcity, capping the total supply at 21 million.
The broader perspective: Industry pressures and transformations
Solo Bitcoin miners accomplished rare wins in 2025 notwithstanding increasing industry pressures. With rising costs and fierce competition compelling even large operations to rethink their strategies, these solo triumphs, often driven by modest hardware, stood out. They captured the community’s attention and served as a reminder that mining still provides space for long shots and unexpected developments.
- Rising costs and industry challenges: In Q2 2025, the average cost to mine 1 BTC surpassed $70,000, propelled by a global hashrate nearing 1,000 EH/s and a mining difficulty exceeding 126 trillion. Corporate miners grapple with tight profit margins, prompting efforts to optimize energy consumption and secure lower-cost power sources.
- Strategic industry transitions: Major mining companies are diversifying into AI data centers and high-performance computing to counteract dwindling profitability. These ventures leverage existing infrastructure for more stable returns, reflecting a wider strategic shift within the industry.
Despite these obstacles, solo miners utilizing modest rigs continue to achieve rare wins. These moments underscore Bitcoin mining’s unpredictable character and reaffirm that persistence and a slice of luck still hold significance.
