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The BitAxe is the world's first open-source Bitcoin ASIC miner. Here's everything you need to get mining.
Most BitAxe units ship with the LCD screen detached. Look for the screen in your packaging - it has four pins that fit into the holes at the top of the unit. Push it in gently until seated.
Plug in your power supply. The screen will show "Connecting to ssid: XXXXXXX" then switch to "Connect to ssid: bitaxe_XXXX" - this is your BitAxe's WiFi hotspot.
On your phone or computer, connect to the "Bitaxe_XXXX" network. Be patient - it might take a minute. If prompted about no internet, select "Yes" to stay connected. A setup page should open automatically, or visit http://192.168.4.1
Enter your home WiFi network name and password. Important: BitAxe only works with 2.4GHz networks, not 5GHz. Save and the device will restart.
Access your BitAxe via its new IP address (shown on screen). Go to settings and enter your pool info:
In the "Stratum User" field, enter your Bitcoin wallet address. Add a worker name after a period, like: bc1qYourAddress.MyBitaxe
Click Save, restart your BitAxe, and you're mining! Check your pool's website with your Bitcoin address to verify it's working.
💡 Pro Tip: Before updating firmware, write down your pool settings and wallet address - some updates reset everything to defaults!
External Resources: Solo Satoshi Guide • Official BitAxe • GitHub Firmware
The NerdAxe combines NerdMiner and BitAxe projects - open source magic at ~500 GH/s with a BM1366 chip.
⚠️ Before You Start: Have your Bitcoin wallet address ready! You'll need it during setup. If you don't have one, set up a wallet first (hardware wallet recommended for security).
Connect your NerdAxe to the power supply. Wait for the screen to display "CONFIG WIFI PORTAL SSID: Nerdaxe_XXXX"
On your phone/computer, connect to the "Nerdaxe_XXXX" network. You'll be directed to the configuration dashboard.
Enter your home WiFi credentials and your Bitcoin address in the Stratum User field. Use a SegWit address starting with 'bc1q' for best compatibility.
Click Save, then Restart. Your NerdAxe will connect and start mining automatically. Use the bottom button to cycle through display info.
The NerdMiner is primarily educational - its hashrate is very low, but it's a great way to learn!
External Resources: NerdAxe Guide • NerdMiner Guide
Run your own Bitcoin and Lightning node - verify your own transactions, support the network, and achieve true financial sovereignty.
4GB or 8GB RAM
1TB+ SSD
16GB minimum
PSU, SATA-USB, Ethernet
Download Umbrel OS from umbrel.com and use Raspberry Pi Imager to flash it onto your microSD card.
Insert the microSD, connect your SSD via SATA-to-USB cable, plug in Ethernet, and power on. Umbrel will auto-install.
Visit http://umbrel.local in your browser. Set up your username, password, and choose Bitcoin + Lightning apps.
Be patient! The Bitcoin blockchain takes days to sync (500GB+). Don't send funds until fully synced!
Write down your 24-word seed phrase on paper. Never save it digitally or in the cloud. Anyone with these words can steal your Bitcoin. Store it safely offline!
External Resources: Umbrel Official • Umbrel Community • Node Guide
Should you solo mine or join a pool? Here's the honest breakdown.
You mine alone. If YOU find a block, you get the full reward (~3.125 BTC). But with a BitAxe's hashrate, the odds are astronomically low.
Pros: Full block reward, no fees, no KYC
Cons: May never find a block, irregular/no income
Best for: Hobbyists, lottery ticket mentality, supporting decentralization
Combine hashrate with other miners. When the pool finds a block, rewards are split based on your contribution. Small but consistent payouts.
Pros: Regular payouts, predictable income
Cons: Pool fees (1-2%), smaller individual rewards
Best for: Those wanting steady sats accumulation
Free solo mining pool. No registration, no fees, no KYC. Just enter your Bitcoin address and start mining.
The original Bitcoin pool (since 2010). FPPS model means you get paid for every valid share, even if the pool doesn't find a block. Lightning payouts available!
Transparent, miner-focused pool. PPLNS model with Lightning payouts. Unique feature: miners can choose which transactions to include in blocks!
Canadian-based mining pool supporting both BTC and BCH. PROP payout model with low 0.5% fee. Great for home miners with dedicated ports optimized for BitAxe and low-power devices!
External Resources: Braiins Academy • Ocean Pool • Public Pool • Fire Pool
Stuck? Here are solutions to the most common problems.
99% of connection issues are WiFi/router problems.
Don't panic - most "bricked" devices can be recovered:
99% of the time this is a loose connection:
This usually indicates a hardware or configuration issue:
Two methods to reset:
More Help: D-Central Troubleshooting • Unbrick Guide
I've been there - self-taught means I've hit every problem in the book. Reach out and I'll help you troubleshoot!
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