Solo Miner Strikes Gold with 3.175 BTC Reward as CKpool Launches Low-Latency Bitcoin Pool in Australia

• What’s the Buzz About CKpool’s New AU Solo Pool?
• Why Is the AU Pool Likely Bitaxe-Centric?
• How Did a Solo Miner Nab 3.175 BTC?
• What’s Next for Solo Miners and CKpool?
• FAQs

In a thrilling turn of events, a solo bitcoin miner has bagged a whopping 3.175 BTC reward, coinciding with CKpool's launch of a new low-latency mining pool in Brisbane, Australia. The AU-centric pool aims to serve Oceania and Asia-Pacific miners, offering reduced latency and seamless block propagation. Meanwhile, the lucky miner, operating at a staggering 200 Ph/s, solved the 302nd solo block, proving that even smaller players can hit the jackpot. Dive into the details of CKpool’s expansion, the economics of solo mining in Australia, and the surprising success story that’s got the crypto community buzzing.

What’s the Buzz About CKpool’s New AU Solo Pool?

CKpool developer Con Kolivas recently announced the launch of a dedicated solo Bitcoin mining pool in Brisbane, Australia, via a post on X. This new pool, dubbed "ckpoolau," is tailored for miners in Oceania and the Asia-Pacific region, addressing latency and performance issues that previously plagued cross-continental mining. The AU pool operates independently from CKpool’s main and EU pools but shares block signatures (with the "ckpoolau" prefix) and allows miners to use sibling pools as backups. Kolivas emphasized that the AU pool’s low-latency setup is a game-changer for regional miners, though he expects it to be dominated by Bitaxe rigs due to Australia’s high electricity costs.

Why Is the AU Pool Likely Bitaxe-Centric?

Kolivas predicts the AU pool will primarily attract Bitaxe miners, given their affordability and modest hashrate (0.4–1.2 TH/s). However, Australia’s steep electricity rates—AUD 33 cents/kWh for residential and AUD 25–45 cents/kWh for commercial users—make large-scale mining less viable. For context, U.S. miners pay just AUD 19.6 cents/kWh, 60% less than their Aussie counterparts. Running a single Bitaxe rig costs AUD 16–22 cents daily, but the odds of solving a block are slim: SoloChance estimates it’d take 14,075 years to hit the jackpot. Still, hobbyists often cluster 2–4 rigs (each priced at ~USD 150) for a shot at glory.

How Did a Solo Miner Nab 3.175 BTC?

In a jaw-dropping feat, a solo miner solved block #904,989 on July 12, 2025, netting 3.175 BTC. Kolivas congratulated the miner, noting their 200 Ph/s hashrate—enough to solve a block every ~35 days at current difficulty. He speculated the miner likely rented hashrate, as no retail hardware delivers such power. The miner began operations on January 9, 2025, making their win even more remarkable. This isn’t Kolivas’ first rodeo: in 2017, he launched a zero-fee shared pool, but it folded in 2020 due to insufficient hashrate. This time, CKpool’s AU expansion and the miner’s success highlight Bitcoin’s enduring allure for underdogs.

What’s Next for Solo Miners and CKpool?

While the AU pool’s launch and the 3.175 BTC windfall are headline-grabbers, the broader takeaway is Bitcoin’s evolving mining landscape. For hobbyists, solo mining remains a high-risk, high-reward gamble—especially in high-cost regions like Australia. Meanwhile, CKpool’s strategic split (main, EU, and now AU pools) reflects a growing focus on latency optimization. As Kolivas puts it, “Decentralization isn’t just about who mines; it’s about where they mine.” Whether you’re a Bitaxe tinkerer or a hashrate renter, one thing’s clear: Bitcoin’s lottery is still open to all.

FAQs

What is CKpool’s new AU solo pool?

CKpool’s AU solo pool is a low-latency Bitcoin mining pool based in Brisbane, Australia, designed to serve miners in Oceania and the Asia-Pacific region. It operates independently but shares block signatures with CKpool’s other pools.

Why is Australia’s electricity cost a challenge for miners?

Australia’s residential electricity averages AUD 33 cents/kWh—60% higher than U.S. rates. This makes large-scale mining economically unfeasible, though hobbyist setups (like Bitaxe rigs) remain popular despite slim odds of success.

How did the solo miner win 3.175 BTC?

The miner solved block #904,989 with a hashrate of 200 Ph/s, likely rented due to its unprecedented scale. At current difficulty, such a setup could yield a block every ~35 days.