These three names appear in the titles of many mining apps, so it helps to know what each really is. This is education, not investment advice.
Bitcoin (BTC)
The first cryptocurrency, launched in 2009. New coins are created by mining, a process where computers compete to add blocks to the blockchain. The supply is capped at 21 million. See how Bitcoin mining works.
Ethereum (ETH)
A blockchain that runs smart contracts and applications. Its coin, ether, used to be mined. In September 2022 Ethereum switched to proof of stake, where validators lock up ether instead of burning electricity. Since then, ETH cannot be mined, so an app that says it mines ETH on your phone or “in the cloud” is at best a simulation.
USDT (Tether)
A stablecoin issued by a company, designed to stay near one US dollar. It is not mined. Because it is meant to hold its value, “earning more USDT by mining” does not describe how it works.
Quick comparison
| Coin | Created by | Mineable today? |
|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin | Mining | Yes, with specialised hardware |
| Ethereum | Staking and issuance | No |
| USDT | A company issues it | No |
Before you buy any crypto
Use a regulated exchange, enable two-factor authentication, never share your seed phrase and only invest what you can afford to lose. Read the scam red flags and what a simulator app really is.