How to Start a Bitcoin Mining Business

Mining Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies is the Wild West of technology and finance. The field is still evolving and largely unregulated, and the work comes with risk. As with any frontier, however, there’s significant profit potential for those who succeed.

Although cryptocurrency mining involves the latest in computational and financial advancements, starting a mining business requires no technical knowledge. The work is basically a numbers game, and anyone who’s willing to invest in the resources needed to win the game might profit.

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Start a Bitcoin mining business by following these 10 steps:

  1. Plan your Bitcoin Mining Business
  2. Form your Bitcoin Mining Business into a Legal Entity
  3. Register your Bitcoin Mining Business for Taxes
  4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  5. Set up Accounting for your Bitcoin Mining Business
  6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Bitcoin Mining Business
  7. Get Bitcoin Mining Business Insurance
  8. Define your Bitcoin Mining Business Brand
  9. Create your Bitcoin Mining Business Website
  10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your Bitcoin mining business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Bitcoin Mining Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

  • Your state’s business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability

It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening a Bitcoin mining business?

When it first started, Bitcoin could be profitably mined with a home computer. Since 2013, however, mining has become too competitive for computers to provide any real profit. Even the fastest computers aren’t quick enough to find the correct hash first.

Today, Bitcoin mining businesses use application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) that are specifically made for mining Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency. An ASIC setup that can solve Bitcoin calculations on its own costs about $12,000.

Most people get into the industry for much less by pooling their resources, though. New ASIC miners are available for anywhere from $489 to $3,000. With one of these, business owners can join a mining pool where members literally pool their resources together. When the pool has a correct hash first, the proceeds are split amongst members.

For even less, business owners can mine through the cloud. In these agreements, business owners lease mining resources from a cloud-based provider and the leased resources are pooled with those leased by other business owners. Bitcoin.com has plans starting under $200.

What are the ongoing expenses for a Bitcoin mining business?

The ASICs needed for mining Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies use a lot of power. One estimate places the amount of power needed to mine Bitcoin at 215 kilowatts per transaction computed. MarketWatch charts how much that costs in each state.

Who is the target market?

A Bitcoin mining business serves the Bitcoin cryptocurrency and therefore, the software used must comply with Bitcoin’s standards. Other cryptocurrency miners must comply with the standards of the cryptocurrency being mined.

How does a Bitcoin mining business make money?

Mining Bitcoin is akin to participating in competitive auditing. Businesses verify Bitcoin transactions by guessing 64-digit hexadecimal numbers, which are referred to as “hashes.” The first business to guess a hash that’s equal to or less than the target hash is awarded Bitcoin and a transaction fee.

Bitcoin is set up so that the number of BItcoin rewarded halves over time. This occurs roughly every four years, and no more Bitcoin will be awarded once there’s a total of 21 million Bitcoin. As the reward for Bitcoin decreases, the amount earned from transaction fees is expected to increase.

(Other cryptocurrencies operate differently.)

How much can you charge customers?

The compensation that Bitcoin mining businesses receive is determined by the cryptocurrency. At the time of writing, having a correct hash first netted the winning business 12.5 Bitcoins. The current exchange rate was just below $8,000 for 1 Bitcoin, so having a hash would net almost $100,000. Transaction fees in comparison are relatively small.

How much profit can a Bitcoin mining business make?

A Bitcoin mining business’ profitability is directly tied to the value of Bitcoin and cost of electricity. When Bitcoin was trading above $20,000 per Bitcoin, this business was highly profitable. As the value of Bitcoin has diminished, so has profitability.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Bitcoin is just one cryptocurrency that business owners can mine. Additional cryptocurrencies include Ethereum, Zcash, Ripple, Monero and others. Which of these is most profitable to mine depends on many factors, including the value, difficulty to mine and projected forecast for each cryptocurrency.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your Bitcoin mining business is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.

This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.

In practice, this means that if your Bitcoin mining business were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.

Ready to Turn Your Business Idea Into a Reality?

Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.

FORM YOUR LLC

Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

  • Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
  • Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a Bitcoin business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.

Find out what types of insurance your Bitcoin Mining Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Bitcoin Mining Business.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a Bitcoin mining business

Marketing efforts for a Bitcoin mining business should be targeted towards investors. Additional investors can help fund the acquisition of more equipment, which might help a business qualify for reduced electric rates. To attract investors, business owners should have a clear presentation that details what cryptocurrencies are and how profitable the business model is.

How to keep customers coming back

A Bitcoin mining business doesn’t need to worry about attracting customers because the business serves the cryptocurrency and not people directly. Any business that complies with the standards can participate in the cryptocurrency.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
  • Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
  • Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPressWIXWeeblySquarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

The first people to mine Bitcoin were mostly technology geeks who were intrigued by the cryptocurrency’s innovation. Today, geeks continue to experiment with cryptocurrencies, but they aren’t the only people mining Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

Anyone who wants a primary or side business that provides passive income may be interested in running a cryptocurrency mining business. The work involved can be arranged around other obligations, and the budget required can be adjusted as needed.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a Bitcoin mining business?

Running a Bitcoin mining business is mostly hands-off work. As long as operations are running smoothly, business owners need to do little more than check their business’ Bitcoin holdings and the current exchange rate to see if they want to sell.

The most common computer malfunction is overheating, and business owners do need to respond quickly when this happens. Computers that overheat shut down, and they won’t provide any profit until they’re cooled down and restarted.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful Bitcoin mining business?

Mining Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies requires no specialized knowledge. Nevertheless, business owners should familiarize themselves with the process so they understand what they’re doing. Books, such as,  Bitcoin Mining Step by Step, are popular resources on the subject.

Business owners may also want to invest in a USB Bitcoin miner. These usually aren’t profitable, but they’re helpful when learning the fundamentals of Bitcoin mining.

It’s also important to be familiar with the risks that accompany Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Understanding market volatility is essential when deciding whether to sell mined Bitcoin. Being familiar with the illegal scams and hacks that occur helps business owners avoid becoming victims. John Oliver detailed some of the biggest risks, including scams.

What is the growth potential for a Bitcoin mining business?

Bitcoin mining operations run the gamut from individuals doing this as a hobby to large corporations that have vast resources. An example of a small-scale setup is Geoffrey Welborn’s inexpensive, yet profitable, dorm room operation. A business in Sweden has a much larger operation, maintaining 45,000 computers in a former helicopter hangar.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

  • Funding
  • Events
  • Guides
  • Support

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a Bitcoin mining business?

To secure low electric rates, business owners should try to start with as large an operation as they can afford. If a business requires enough electricity to qualify for a reduced commercial rate, the most significant ongoing expense can be greatly reduced. (See Ongoing Expenses.)

How and when to build a team

A Bitcoin mining business can be run with no or minimal staff. If business owners have other obligations, they might want to hire someone who can respond when overheating computers.

Useful Links

Further Reading