## A Solo Miner's Incredible Win

A solo Bitcoin miner has **defied incredible odds**, earning a reward of **3.146 BTC** worth approximately **$266,000** for mining block number **924,569** on the Bitcoin network. This block contained **1,351 transactions**, highlighting the miner's contribution to processing network activity.

### The Unlikely Success Story

Observers speculate the miner used a **Bitaxe Gamma**, an affordable hobbyist mining rig costing around **$100** or less, with a hash rate of about **1.2 terahash per second (TH/s)**. According to data from **CKPool**, the chances of such a machine mining a block were less than **1 in 100,000 per day**, making this feat akin to **winning the lottery**.

### The Role of Solo Mining

Unlike large mining pools that combine computational power, **solo miners** operate independently, taking full control of their mining efforts. This not only offers the potential for a massive payout but also supports **Bitcoin's decentralization** by distributing network security across more participants.

### A Growing Trend?

This year has seen an **uptick in solo miners** successfully mining blocks, with CKPool facilitating about **13 such wins**—roughly one per month. As noted by the account Bee Evolved on X, "Another block for the plebs... this is living proof that you can do it."

### How Bitcoin Mining Works

Bitcoin miners use specialized hardware to solve complex calculations in a race to find a **nonce** (a "number used once") as part of the **proof-of-work consensus mechanism**. Successful miners are rewarded with newly minted Bitcoin, incentivizing network participation and security.

While the identity of this miner remains unknown, their achievement serves as inspiration for others in the crypto community.

A solo miner earned a Bitcoin bounty for mining the network’s 924,569th block, securing $266,000 worth of the asset against incredible odds.

Against All Odds: Solo Bitcoin Miner Wins $266K Jackpot with a $100 Rig!

## Coinbase Expands Derivatives with 24/7 Altcoin Futures

Coinbase Markets is set to launch **round-the-clock futures trading** for a range of major altcoins, responding to growing demand for non-stop market access in the crypto space. Starting **December 5**, futures for **AVAX**, **Bitcoin Cash (BCH)**, **ADA**, **Chainlink (LINK)**, **Dogecoin (DOGE)**, **Hedera (HBAR)**, **Litecoin (LTC)**, **Polkadot (DOT)**, **SHIB**, **Stellar (XLM)**, and **SUI** will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

This move builds on Coinbase's existing always-on markets for **Bitcoin**, **Ethereum**, **Solana**, and **XRP**, which already include standard and nano-sized contracts tailored for retail investors.

### Introduction of U.S. Perpetual-Style Futures

In addition to the extended trading hours, Coinbase is developing **U.S. perpetual-style futures** for the same altcoins. These contracts are designed to mimic the structure of crypto-native perpetual swaps, using funding rates to align prices with spot markets, but they will settle on a **five-year expiry** instead of the indefinite format common in offshore exchanges.

Coinbase has been a pioneer in the U.S. derivatives market, launching 24/7 **BTC and ETH futures** in May and introducing long-dated futures in July, establishing itself as the first major American platform to offer these products under a regulated framework.

### Shifting Liquidity from Offshore Markets

Currently, most liquidity for non-BTC/ETH futures is concentrated on offshore exchanges like **Binance** and **Bybit**. However, Coinbase's U.S.-based alternative, with enhanced institutional access and transparent regulations, could gradually attract order flow, especially amid volatile funding markets and increasing regulatory scrutiny of offshore activities.

The exchange plans to introduce U.S. perpetual-style futures for altcoins, settling on a five-year expiry.

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