The world’s largest Ethereum mining pool, Ethermine, has officially announced the end of its support for Proof-of-Work (PoW) Ethereum mining. As the highly anticipated Ethereum Merge draws near, Ethermine is preparing for a full transition by shutting down PoW mining operations and shifting into a “withdrawal-only” mode post-merge. This marks a pivotal moment in blockchain history, signaling the decline of GPU-based Ethereum mining and the rise of a more energy-efficient, scalable network under Proof-of-Stake (PoS).
The End of an Era: Ethermine’s Final Days of PoW Mining
Ethermine, which commands over 262.79 terahashes per second (TH/s) of hashing power—more than double that of the second-largest pool, F2Pool—is taking decisive steps to align with Ethereum’s network evolution. According to their official statement, PoW mining on Ethereum will officially cease around September 15, 2022, when the Merge is expected to go live.
“The mining phase of Ethereum will end on September 15, 2022. After this date, it will no longer be possible to mine Ether using GPUs or ASICs on the Ethereum network.”
Once the Merge completes, Ethermine will disable mining functionality and transition the platform into a withdrawal-only mode. This means users will still be able to access their mined ETH and transfer funds, but no new blocks will be mined through the pool.
To keep miners informed, Ethermine has integrated a real-time countdown timer directly into its miner dashboard. This allows users to track exactly how much time remains before mining operations are permanently suspended.
👉 Discover what miners should do before the Ethereum Merge shuts down GPU mining.
Understanding the Ethereum Merge: Why PoW Is Being Phased Out
The Ethereum Merge represents one of the most significant upgrades in cryptocurrency history. It transitions Ethereum from an energy-intensive Proof-of-Work consensus mechanism to a sustainable Proof-of-Stake model. This change aims to reduce Ethereum’s energy consumption by over 99.9%, making it far more environmentally friendly.
Under PoS, validators stake ETH to propose and attest to blocks instead of solving complex mathematical puzzles. As a result, traditional mining rigs—once the backbone of Ethereum’s network—are becoming obsolete.
This shift has sparked widespread speculation about what happens to miners after the Merge. With Ethermine leading the charge in shutting down PoW operations, many are now forced to reconsider their strategies.
Where Will Miners Go After the Merge?
While Ethereum itself is moving away from mining, several alternative chains remain viable options for displaced miners. One major beneficiary has been Ethereum Classic (ETC).
In the days following Ethermine’s announcement, ETC saw a dramatic 39% increase in hash rate, peaking at over 38 TH/s on August 20, 2022—the highest level in its history. This surge indicates that at least a portion of Ethereum’s mining community is redirecting computational power toward other Ethash-based networks.
Other coins using the Ethash algorithm—such as Ravencoin (RVN), Ergo (ERGO), and Beam (BEAM)—have not experienced similar growth, suggesting that ETC is currently the most attractive destination for migrating miners.
Additionally, there has been growing interest in ETHW (EthereumPoW), a proposed fork designed to preserve PoW mining on a separate Ethereum chain. Although some exchanges have listed ETHW IOUs (I Owe You tokens), their value has dropped sharply—from $139.62 to $50.68 per unit—highlighting market uncertainty around the long-term viability of such forks.
Key Implications for the Crypto Mining Industry
The shutdown of Ethermine’s PoW operations reflects broader trends reshaping the mining landscape:
- Decline of GPU Mining: With Ethereum—the largest GPU-mined coin—transitioning to PoS, demand for high-end graphics cards is expected to drop significantly.
- Hardware Repurposing: Many miners are exploring alternative uses for their rigs, including rendering farms, AI computation, or switching to other mineable assets like Ravencoin or Kaspa.
- Consolidation of Mining Pools: As profitability declines on certain chains, smaller pools may struggle to survive, leading to further centralization among top-tier operators.
👉 Learn how to repurpose your mining rig after Ethereum abandons PoW.
FAQ: Your Questions About Ethermine and the Ethereum Merge
What happens to my mined ETH after Ethermine stops PoW mining?
You will still be able to withdraw any ETH you’ve already mined. Ethermine will enter “withdrawal-only” mode, allowing full access to your balance without interruption.
Can I still mine Ethereum after September 15, 2022?
No—not on the main Ethereum network. After the Merge, Ethereum will operate solely under Proof-of-Stake. However, you may mine on forks like EthereumPoW (ETHW) if they gain traction.
Will Ethermine support ETHW or other PoW forks?
As of now, Ethermine has not announced plans to support ETHW or any alternative forks. Miners interested in continuing PoW mining should explore dedicated pools for those chains.
Why did ETC’s hash rate spike recently?
The increase is likely due to Ethereum miners redirecting their hash power to ETC ahead of the Merge. Since both networks use the Ethash algorithm, switching requires minimal technical adjustments.
Is it worth buying mining equipment now?
Given that Ethereum—the primary driver of GPU demand—is exiting PoW, investing in new mining hardware carries high risk. Consider market conditions and alternative revenue streams before purchasing.
How can I prepare for the Ethereum Merge as a miner?
- Monitor the Ethermine dashboard countdown.
- Withdraw accumulated ETH before the transition.
- Research alternative mining options like ETC, RVN, or ERGO.
- Evaluate whether upgrading or repurposing your hardware makes financial sense.
👉 Stay ahead of blockchain transitions with real-time market insights and tools.
Final Thoughts: A New Chapter for Ethereum and Miners Alike
Ethermine’s decision to end PoW mining underscores the inevitability of progress in blockchain technology. While this shift may disrupt traditional mining ecosystems, it opens doors to greater scalability, security, and sustainability for Ethereum.
For miners, adaptation is key. Whether migrating hash power to alternative chains, repurposing hardware, or exiting mining altogether, proactive planning will determine success in this evolving landscape.
As the countdown continues and the Merge approaches, one thing is clear: the era of Ethereum mining is ending—but innovation never sleeps.
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Ethereum Merge, Ethermine, PoW mining shutdown, Ethereum Classic (ETC), Proof-of-Stake transition, GPU mining end, ETHW fork, mining pool transition