Kaspa has quickly risen to become one of the most exciting proof-of-work projects in the crypto industry. Known for its blockDAG technology, fast block times, and fair launch, it has attracted miners from day one. What started with GPU mining rigs has rapidly evolved into a network dominated by ASIC mining hardware, delivering massive hashrates and efficiency.

This article explores the journey of Kaspa mining: from early GPU days with cards like the RTX 3070 and RX 5700 XT, to the arrival of IceRiver ASICs and today’s high-performance models like the KS7. Along the way, we’ll highlight why miners rushed to buy Kaspa ASICs, the profitability boom they created, and why many believe Kaspa remains a top choice for mining today.

Early GPU Mining Days

When Kaspa launched in late 2021, mining was entirely GPU-based. Its algorithm, kHeavyHash, was optimized for graphics cards, making it accessible to hobbyists and small miners. Thanks to Kaspa’s rapid block time (one block per second), even lower hashrates could earn rewards, making solo mining attractive.

Typical performance in those days looked like this:

• NVIDIA RTX 3070: around 500 MH/s at ~80 W.

• AMD RX 5700 XT: about 330 MH/s at ~140 W.

With rigs of 6–8 GPUs, miners could reach the low gigahash range, enough to mine consistently and profitably when network difficulty was still low. For many, Kaspa represented a new gold rush – a coin where you didn’t need industrial power to participate.

The GPU era was community-driven, decentralized, and exciting. Many miners who had leftover GPUs from Ethereum’s proof-of-work days shifted their rigs to Kaspa, giving the network its first wave of adoption.

The Arrival of ASICs – IceRiver Leads the Way

In 2023, everything changed. IceRiver shocked the Kaspa community by announcing the first-ever Kaspa ASIC miners. Models like the KS1 and KS2 were game-changers:

• IceRiver KS1: 1 TH/s at ~600 W.

• IceRiver KS2: 2 TH/s at ~1200 W.

To put it in perspective, a single KS1 delivered the same power as 2,000+ RTX 3070 GPUs. Even more impressive, efficiency improved dramatically – from GPUs needing ~150 W per GH, to ASICs delivering the same hashrate at less than 1 W per GH.

IceRiver also released the KS0, a compact “mini ASIC” that offered 100–200 GH/s at under 100 W. This small unit was a hit among hobbyists, proving that ASIC mining could also be accessible. On the high end, the KS3 pushed things even further with 8 TH/s at 3200 W, cementing ASIC dominance.

By late 2023, GPU mining was effectively obsolete on Kaspa. ASICs had taken over – and miners rushed to get them.

The ASIC Boom – Profitability and Mining Fever

The launch of Kaspa ASICs sparked one of the most profitable mining booms in recent memory. Early adopters reported earning hundreds of dollars per day per machine.

For example:

• The KS0 mini could make $20–25 daily while consuming just ~$5 of power per month.

• The KS1 was initially projected to earn around $100 per day in Kaspa rewards.

Compared to Bitcoin miners at the time, Kaspa ASICs were far more profitable, which created massive demand. In late 2023, Kaspa mining fever set in – ASICs were sold out as soon as they were listed, with farms buying dozens or even hundreds of units.

Kaspa’s network hashrate exploded from ~1 PH/s to over 100 PH/s in just months. For a time, Kaspa was ranked among the most profitable coins to mine worldwide, second only to Bitcoin.

Today’s Powerhouse – IceRiver KS7

Fast forward to today, and Kaspa mining has reached new heights with the IceRiver KS7. This model represents the cutting edge of Kaspa ASIC technology:

• 30 TH/s hashrate at ~3500 W.

• Efficiency of around 0.117 W/GH, one of the best in the industry.

In practical terms, one KS7 equals the power of nearly 60 KS1s or tens of thousands of GPUs. It delivers incredible profitability while staying energy-efficient.

IceRiver has also released versions like the KS7 Lite (4.2 TH/s, 500 W) and the KS0 Ultra (400 GH/s, 100 W) for smaller setups, showing their commitment to making mining accessible at all levels.

The Positive Impact of ASIC Mining

The transition from GPUs to ASICs has been overwhelmingly positive for Kaspa and its miners:

• Efficiency: ASICs deliver unmatched hashrate per watt, reducing costs and improving profitability.

• Profitability: Kaspa ASICs have consistently ranked among the most profitable hardware available.

• Accessibility: With models ranging from small home miners to industrial giants, there’s an option for everyone.

• Network Security: The surge in hashrate has made Kaspa one of the most secure PoW networks.

Perhaps most importantly, ASIC miners are dedicated to Kaspa, ensuring long-term loyalty and support for the network.

Conclusion

Kaspa’s mining story is one of rapid evolution. From humble GPU rigs in 2021 to today’s 30 TH/s ASIC powerhouses, it has become a cornerstone of modern proof-of-work mining. The arrival of ASICs, especially the IceRiver series, created profitability, excitement, and long-term stability for the network.

The IceRiver KS7 stands today as a symbol of how far Kaspa mining has come – powerful, efficient, and profitable. For anyone considering whether to buy Kaspa ASIC hardware, the outlook is strong: a fast-growing network, robust technology, and a mining ecosystem built to last.

Kaspa has proven that it’s not just another altcoin – it’s a thriving PoW project backed by cutting-edge ASIC innovation and a passionate community of miners. The future of Kaspa mining is bright, and the best is yet to come.