XCH Miner

12, Nov

From Satoshi Nakamoto to the Forge: The Hash Giant Behind 910,000 BTC Blocks

In the early days of Bitcoin, mining was done individually, with some participants possessing more computing power. Hardware evolved from central processing units (CPUs) to graphics processing units (GPUs), and eventually to today's application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). In late 2010, Marek Palatinus, also known as Slush, launched the first publicly recognized Bitcoin (BTC) mining pool, named Slush Pool, which was later renamed Braiins Pool.

Below is a comprehensive overview of the top ten mining entities, the number of blocks they have discovered, and the identities behind them.

1. Unknown (25.25% / 229,922 blocks) This category includes unknown miners whose identities remain hidden in Bitcoin transactions. It encompasses Satoshi Nakamoto, early Bitcoin participants, and other anonymous contributors active in the early days of the network. While many of these blocks were mined before organized mining pools became the norm, a small number of unknown miners still discover blocks today, although this practice is becoming increasingly rare.

2. Antpool (11.00% / 100,178 blocks)

Antpool is one of the largest and longest-running mining pools in the industry. Although formerly directly owned by Bitmain, Antpool no longer operates under its umbrella but maintains close ties with the company. It has long been a major contributor to Bitcoin hashrate and today ranks as the second-largest mining pool after Foundry in terms of hashrate.

3. F2pool (10.15% / 92,382 blocks)

Founded in China in 2013, F2pool, initially named Discus Fish, has grown into a leading multi-asset mining pool. Over the years, it has mined a significant portion of the blocks and continues to be among the most influential mining pools, supporting multiple cryptocurrency networks beyond Bitcoin.

4. Foundry USA (6.39% / 58,175 blocks)

Foundry USA is a US-based mining pool backed by Foundry Digital, a subsidiary of the digital currency group, and has risen rapidly since 2020. Driven by the North American mining boom and increased institutional interest, it currently ranks fourth in all discovered blocks and leads the industry in hashrate by 2025. In the past three days, Foundry has accounted for approximately 32.42% of the network's total hashrate.

5. ViaBTC (5.16% / 47,014 blocks)

Founded in May 2016 by Haipo Yang, ViaBTC is a Chinese mining pool that has rapidly gained a reputation for its pioneering services and strong multi-currency support. It launched innovative payment methods such as PPS+, an industry first, and supports mining over 20 cryptocurrencies, including BTC, LTC, BCH, ETH, and KAS. Today, it boasts a global user base of over 1.7 million in more than 150 countries and maintains a top ranking in hashrate.

6. Braiin’s Pool (4.53% / 41,283 blocks)

Founded in November 2010 by Marek Palatinus (originally named Bitcoin.cz or Slush Pool), Braiin’s Pool was the world’s first publicly available Bitcoin mining pool. It introduced the innovative “Slush-style” stake system, allowing miners to combine computing power and earn predictable rewards. Today, it remains a significant industry presence, known for its transparency, use of the Stratum V2 protocol, and contributions to the decentralization of mining.

7. BTC Guild (3.62% / 32,935 blocks)

Launched in 2011, BTC Guild quickly rose to become one of the largest Bitcoin mining pools, at one point controlling over 40% of the network hashrate. Operated by software developer Michael Marsee, it played a crucial role in the early days of Bitcoin, providing reliable payment guarantees for small miners. However, facing increasing regulatory uncertainty and intensified industry competition, the pool officially shut down in June 2015 after four years of impact. 8. Poolin (3.07% / 27,911 blocks)

Founded in 2017 by a former Btc.com executive, Poolin quickly became one of the world's largest Bitcoin mining pools, at one point ranking second in hashrate. Known for its multi-asset mining support and user-friendly service, the pool attracted a global following. However, by 2022, liquidity and withdrawal issues weakened its dominance, although its contributions during its peak years left a deep mark on Bitcoin mining history.

9. Ghash.io (2.54% / 23,083 blocks)

Operated by the cryptocurrency exchange CEX.IO, Ghash.io rose to prominence in 2013 as one of the most powerful Bitcoin mining pools of its time. In June 2014, it briefly surpassed 50% of the network hashrate, sparking widespread concerns about centralization and potential 51% attacks. Despite its rapid decline in dominance, with ongoing scrutiny and competitive pressure leading to its closure in 2016, this pool still holds a significant place in the early history of Bitcoin mining.

10. Binance Pool (2.30% / 20,965 blocks)

Launched in April 2020 by the global exchange Binance, Binance Pool quickly rose to the ranks of top Bitcoin mining pools, leveraging the platform's large user base and financial resources. It offered proof-of-work mining and staking services, as well as features like FPPS (Full Payment Per Share) payments. Despite being a relatively new player, it has mined tens of thousands of blocks, solidifying its strong position in the industry.

The Arc of Influence in Bitcoin Mining History

Over time, the distribution of mining power has revealed who is shaping the foundation of Bitcoin and who may influence its future. As institutional players have taken over more computing power and earlier entities have faded away, the balance between decentralization and dominance has become more delicate. The silent evolution of mining pools may determine whether Bitcoin remains trustless or governed by different gatekeepers.

Behind every mined block lies a strategic shift in technology, governance, and ambition. From anonymous pioneers to corporate-backed mining pools, the Bitcoin chain is a living relic of economic and ideological competition. While mining remains permissionless, influence accumulates within the model, meaning power within the network may be more fluid, but not necessarily more decentralized than many imagine.