Quick Summary
- Reddit user u/EightofSpace found his 2nd solo Bitcoin block (block 948146) using an Avalon Q miner
- Earned 3.125 BTC plus fees (~$258,000 total), making him one of only two people to hit this milestone with open-source hardware in the last 18 months
- First solo block came from a single NerdQaxe++ back in October 2025 — now runs 11 NerdQaxe++ units and 5 Avalon Q’s (close to 500 TH/s)
- This proves Bitcoin’s original promise: regular people can mine real blocks, no industrial farms required
- Since July 2024, 11 solo blocks have been found by hobbyists with Bitaxe/NerdQaxe/Avalon Q hardware
What Happened
On May 8th, 2026, u/EightofSpace did something only a handful of people in history can say: he solo mined a Bitcoin block on his own.
Block 948146 was found using an Avalon Q miner — the Chinese open-source ASIC design that’s become the workhorse for serious Bitaxe users. It netted him 3.125 BTC plus transaction fees, worth roughly $258,000 at current prices.
This wasn’t beginner’s luck. His first solo block (block 943466) came way back in October 2025 using a single NerdQaxe++ unit. That was his hobby project. He kept mining — quietly, consistently — and now runs an impressive setup: 11 NerdQaxe++ units plus 5 Avalon Q miners, all solo mining together for nearly 500 terahashes per second.
Here’s the kicker: he hasn’t used a mining pool. Every block reward goes straight to his wallet. No third party touching his Bitcoin. No fees deducted. He runs CKPool or Public Pool (solo pools that don’t handle your coins), then claims his 100% when a block drops.
This is what self-custody looks like in its purest form: you control the hash, you keep the BTC, nobody stands between you and the network.
Solo Mining History on Open-Source Hardware
The first solo block from open-source mining hardware came back in July 2024. Block 853742 was found by a Bitaxe Supra running just 650 GH/s (yes, gigahashes — not terahashes). It walked away with 3.192 BTC (~$200,000 back then).
A single open-source miner. No ASIC contracts. No Fortune-500 mining farm. Just a Bitaxe plugged into a wall socket.
Since that first block, the pattern’s been quiet but consistent:
2025 Solo Blocks (Open-Source Hardware)
- Block 887212 — Bitaxe Ultra: 3.15 BTC
- Block 888989 — Bitaxe Supra: 3.152 BTC
- Block 913272 — NerdQaxe++: 3.134 BTC
- Block 924569 — Bitaxe Gamma: 3.146 BTC
- Block 920440 — NerdQaxe++: 3.141 BTC
2026 Solo Blocks (Through May)
- Block 937218 — Unknown miner: 3.143 BTC
- Block 943466 — NerdOctaxe: 3.148 BTC
- Block 944078 — NerdQaxe++: 3.132 BTC
- Block 945601 — NerdQaxe++: 1 BTC (Parasite pool split)
- Block 947073 — Unknown miner: 3.141 BTC
- Block 948146 — u/EightofSpace (Avalon Q): 3.125 BTC
That’s 11 solo blocks in under two years from open-source mining hardware. The lottery keeps paying out.
Why This Matters for Bitcoin
This matters because it proves something fundamental about Bitcoin that the narrative often tries to obscure: you don’t need industrial-scale operations to participate meaningfully in the network.
Every single block above was found by regular people running hardware they bought online, set up at home, and pointed at a solo pool. No ASIC contracts. No billionaire-backed mining farms. No special permissions or government approvals. Just a Bitaxe/NerdQaxe/Avalon Q plugged in and the math working.
This is Bitcoin’s original promise in action: anyone can participate. The network doesn’t care who you are, where you’re from, or how much money you have (though obviously more hash = better odds). The protocol just works.
In a world of centralized everything — banking apps, cloud storage, stock brokerages, AI services — solo mining is pure Bitcoin sovereignty. You contribute computing power to secure the network and you keep 100% of whatever you earn. Nobody takes a cut unless you say so.
This story also proves that “you can’t compete with industrial farms” isn’t actually true for everyone. u/EightofSpace didn’t start with a 500 TH/s rig. He started with one NerdQaxe++ and scaled up slowly, learning as he went. The network rewards persistence, not just upfront capital.
The Love Is Bitcoin Takeaway
Here’s the thing about solo mining: it’s a lottery. Nobody finds blocks regularly. The average person won’t find one in years. But that doesn’t make it pointless for three reasons:
- You still get to learn Bitcoin at the deepest level. Every time you configure your miner, check your pool status, claim a reward, and verify your coins on-chain, you’re doing something most people will never understand. That’s power. That’s sovereignty.
- Even if you don’t win big, every satoshi counts. Solo miners get transaction fees too — right now the mempool is congested with $30-50 fee tiers. Those aren’t free; they’re paying for network security. When you mine solo, your hash power helps keep Bitcoin censorship-resistant.
- The upside is life-changing when it happens. u/EightofSpace found two blocks in 18 months. That’s roughly once every 8-9 months. Imagine what a single block means for someone starting from zero — it’s not just profit, it’s freedom.
The key is this: solo mining isn’t about competing against industrial farms. It’s about participating in Bitcoin the way Satoshi intended. You contribute computing power to secure the network and you keep whatever reward comes your way. That’s sovereignty. That’s self-custody.
This also highlights something important: if you’re already buying Bitcoin anyway — whether for self-custody, long-term holding, or speculative gains — why not consider running a miner? Even one Bitaxe Gamma is enough to make it real. You’ll never find a block, but you’ll understand exactly what value the hash rate contributes.
What Beginners Should Do Next
If u/EightofSpace can solo mine blocks, so can you — here’s how:
- Start with education before hardware. Learn the difference between Bitcoin and crypto (there’s a reason we’re not talking about other coins here). Understand custodial vs non-custodial wallets. Learn how Bitcoin withdrawals actually work. Then consider solo mining as an option, not a requirement.
- Try cheaper hardware first. A Bitaxe Gamma or Supra costs under $200 and still finds blocks (just rarely). You don’t need 500 TH/s to start — you need to understand the protocol. Scale up over time if it resonates with you.
- Use a solo pool that doesn’t touch your coins. CKPool, Public Pool, or similar services provide the infrastructure so you can mine solo without running your own node. When you find a block, you claim 100% of the reward — they never hold custody of your Bitcoin.
- Treat it like an experiment, not income replacement. Solo mining is a lottery ticket that also secures the network. Don’t quit your job. Do buy some cheap hardware and run it in your garage. The learning experience alone is worth it.
We’ve written everything you need to know about getting started with Bitaxe-style solo mining in our Bitaxe guide. It covers where to buy, how to set up AxeOS, which pools to use, and strategies for maximizing your chances.
FAQ
Can you really solo mine Bitcoin at home?
Yes. People find solo blocks regularly with open-source hardware like Bitaxe/NerdQaxe/Avalon Q. The odds are against everyone (including industrial farms), but the network rewards every hash that contributes.
What’s the difference between solo mining and pool mining?
Pool mining combines your hash power with thousands of others for small, regular payouts. Solo mining means you keep 100% of any block you find, but most miners never find one. u/EightofSpace chose solo because he wanted his Bitcoin in full custody — no pool operator ever holding his coins.
Is a NerdQaxe++ or Avalon Q powerful?
These are serious ASIC-level devices (5-20 TH/s each for NerdQaxe, up to 540 TH/s combined). They compete with industrial hardware on the network. The difference is they’re open-source and accessible — you can buy one from a reseller, not manufacture your own factory.
Do solo pools touch my Bitcoin?
Solo-only pools like CKPool or Public Pool never hold custody of your coins when you find a block. They provide infrastructure (block templates, full node) so you can mine independently. When you win, you claim 100% of the reward in your own wallet — they just facilitate the broadcast.
How much does it cost to start?
A Bitaxe Gamma starts under $200. A NerdQaxe++ runs around $800-1,200. u/EightofSpace invested thousands but started with a single device in 2025. You don’t need to match his setup to participate — you just need to start somewhere and learn as you go.
What if I never find a block?
Most solo miners never do. The odds are against everyone, no matter their equipment. But here’s the point: even if you never win big, you’re still contributing hash power to secure Bitcoin and you’ll have learned something most people never understand about how money works.
This article is for education only and is not financial advice.
