The long-anticipated Ethereum Merge was successfully completed yesterday afternoon, marking a pivotal shift from proof-of-work (PoW) to proof-of-stake (PoS). With this transition, Ethereum no longer relies on miners to secure its network, prompting a mass migration of mining power to alternative PoW blockchains. As a result, networks like Ethereum Classic (ETC), Ravencoin (RVN), and the newly emerged EthereumPoW (ETHW) have seen dramatic increases in hashrate. Major mining pools such as f2pool, Poolin, and AntPool have also announced continued support for ETHW mining, further fueling the redistribution of computational power across the decentralized ecosystem.
The Ripple Effect: Ethereum Classic’s Hashrate Jumps Over 400%
Following the Merge, Ethereum miners—many of whom have invested billions in GPU and ASIC hardware—have urgently sought alternative chains compatible with their existing equipment. One of the primary beneficiaries has been Ethereum Classic, which uses the ETChash algorithm, fully compatible with Ethereum’s former mining rigs.
According to data from mining pool 2Miners, Ethereum Classic’s network hashrate surged from approximately 64 TH/s to over 300 TH/s within hours of the Merge, peaking before stabilizing around 271 TH/s—an increase exceeding 400% in less than a day. This sudden influx underscores ETC’s position as a natural successor for displaced Ethereum miners.
Why Ethereum Classic? Compatibility and Continuity
The compatibility between Ethereum’s former mining setup and ETC’s consensus mechanism makes the transition seamless. Miners can simply redirect their GPUs or ASICs without significant reconfiguration. This plug-and-play adaptability has made ETC one of the most attractive destinations in the current PoW landscape.
Even before the Merge, major players were preparing for this shift. Publicly traded mining firm Hive Blockchain revealed last week that it had begun evaluating alternative PoW coins for its GPU fleet. While Hive already mines ETC, it has chosen not to disclose full post-Merge plans, citing competitive advantage.
Ethermine, one of the largest mining pools on Ethereum, has also emerged as a dominant force on Ethereum Classic. Currently contributing around 57 TH/s, Ethermine leads a network now composed of 30,647 individual miners, many of whom likely migrated from the original Ethereum chain.
Other PoW Chains Experience Surge in Mining Activity
Ethereum Classic isn’t the only blockchain benefiting from the exodus. Several other proof-of-work networks have reported significant hashrate growth:
- Ergo (ERG): Hashrate climbed from roughly 30 TH/s to 191 TH/s, a more than sixfold increase.
- Ravencoin (RVN): Network power rose from 8 TH/s to 21.98 TH/s, reflecting growing interest in asset-focused blockchains.
These trends highlight a broader pattern: miners are not only flocking to chains with similar algorithms but also exploring niche PoW ecosystems that can absorb large-scale mining operations.
Despite this redistribution, not all mining power has been reallocated. Many miners appear to be holding off, either powering down rigs temporarily or preparing for the launch of EthereumPoW (ETHW)—a community-driven fork designed to preserve Ethereum’s original proof-of-work model.
EthereumPoW Emerges: f2pool and Other Major Pools Join the Movement
The EthereumPoW (ETHW) initiative has quickly gained traction among miners unwilling to abandon PoW principles. In a recent announcement, the ETHW community published a list of mining pools committed to supporting the new chain post-launch. Confirmed participants include:
- f2pool
- Poolin
- AntPool
- Nanopool
- 2miners
- EthwMine
Among them, f2pool has taken a leading role by officially launching its ETHW mining pool. The company announced it would automatically redirect residual hashpower from its legacy ETH mining operations to ETHW, ensuring minimal downtime for miners during the transition.
This strategic move lowers the barrier to entry for displaced miners, enabling them to continue earning rewards with little to no technical overhead.
Key Questions About the Post-Merge Mining Landscape
Q: Why did Ethereum’s Merge cause such a massive miner migration?
A: The Merge transitioned Ethereum from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake, eliminating the need for energy-intensive mining. As a result, miners who previously secured the network with hardware can no longer mine ETH and must find alternative PoW chains.
Q: Is Ethereum Classic a sustainable long-term option for miners?
A: Yes, especially given its algorithm compatibility and growing miner support. However, long-term viability depends on continued demand for ETC, network security upgrades, and resistance to centralization pressures.
Q: What is ETHW and how does it differ from Ethereum Classic?
A: ETHW (EthereumPoW) is a fork of Ethereum that maintains proof-of-work consensus after the Merge. Unlike ETC—which has followed a separate development path since 2016—ETHW aims to continue Ethereum’s pre-Merge trajectory, preserving miner incentives and decentralization ideals.
Q: Can old Ethereum mining rigs still be profitable?
A: Absolutely. GPUs and ASICs designed for Ethash/ETChash remain effective on ETC, RVN, ERG, and ETHW. Profitability varies by electricity cost, network difficulty, and coin price—but many miners report positive returns in the current environment.
Q: Are there risks involved in switching to new mining pools or chains?
A: Yes. Miners should verify pool reliability, withdrawal policies, and fee structures. Additionally, newer forks like ETHW may face volatility, lower liquidity, or potential 51% attack risks due to concentrated hashpower.
The Future of Proof-of-Work in a Post-Ethereum World
While Ethereum’s shift to PoS marks a milestone in blockchain efficiency and environmental sustainability, it doesn’t spell the end of proof-of-work. Instead, it has catalyzed a renaissance across alternative PoW ecosystems.
Chains like Ethereum Classic, Ravencoin, and Ergo are experiencing renewed attention—not just from retail miners but from institutional-grade operations looking to redeploy capital efficiently. Meanwhile, community-led initiatives like ETHW demonstrate strong ideological support for decentralized mining.
As these networks absorb former Ethereum hashpower, they may also evolve—introducing new governance models, improving scalability, and enhancing security protocols to meet growing demands.
Final Thoughts
The aftermath of the Ethereum Merge is reshaping the global mining landscape. With hashpower redistributing at unprecedented speed, we’re witnessing a real-time experiment in blockchain adaptability and resilience. While some miners pause to assess their options, others are already capitalizing on new opportunities across ETC, ETHW, and other PoW networks.
For investors, developers, and miners alike, this transition offers both challenges and possibilities. The key lies in agility—identifying compatible chains, choosing reliable pools, and staying informed about market dynamics.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: proof-of-work isn’t dead—it’s diversifying.
Core Keywords: Ethereum Merge, Ethereum Classic, ETHW, mining migration, hashrate surge, proof-of-work, f2pool, GPU mining