Cloud Mining allows you to mine without hardware miner.

If you want to invest in bitcoin mining without the hassle of managing your own hardware, there is an alternative. You can use the cloud to earn your coins.

Put very simply, cloud mining means using (generally) shared processing power run from remote data centres. One only needs a home computer for communications, optional local bitcoin wallets and so on.

However, there are certain risks associated with cloud mining that investors need to understand prior to purchase.

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Pros

Here’s why you might want to consider cloud mining:

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• A quiet, cooler home – no constantly humming fans

• No added electricity costs

• No equipment to sell when mining ceases to be profitable

• No ventilation problems with hot equipment

• Reduced chance of being let down by mining equipment suppliers.

 

Cons

Here’s why you might not want to consider cloud mining:

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• Risk of fraud

• Opaque mining operations

• Less fun (if you’re a geek who likes system building!)

• Lower profits – the operators have to cover their costs after all

• Contractual warnings that mining operations may cease depending on the price of bitcoin

• Lack of control and flexibility.

 

Types of cloud mining

In general, there are three forms of remote mining available at the moment:

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1. Hosted mining
   Lease a mining machine that is hosted by the provider.

2. Virtual hosted mining
   Create a (general purpose) virtual private server and install your own mining software.

3. Leased hashing power
   Lease an amount of hashing power, without having a dedicated physical or virtual computer. (This is, by far, the most popular method of cloud mining.)