Yes. At a mining pool that supports multiple coins under one account, you can connect several miners to different coin-specific pool endpoints and manage their mining activity through the same account. Each miner must support the algorithm used by its selected coin.
That is different from using the same mining work to earn rewards from multiple chains. For that, compatible chains and a pool-supported merged-mining program are needed. Simply adding another pool URL does not turn a miner into a multi-coin miner.
One Account, Multiple Miners: What Is Shared?
At a multi-coin pool such as ViaBTC, one account can manage miners working on different supported coins. For example, a SHA-256 ASIC can mine Bitcoin (BTC), while a separate Scrypt ASIC mines Litecoin (LTC), both under the same account.
Each device connects using a worker name, commonly formatted as userID.workerID. Distinct worker names help you identify individual machines and monitor their activity within the relevant coin’s worker list.
The account provides shared access to monitoring and earnings information. It does not make the hardware compatible with every supported coin or combine separate mining jobs into one. Check ViaBTC’s Mining Pools Information for current coin-specific connection details and payment methods.
What Can One ASIC Mine?
A conventional ASIC miner is designed for a particular mining algorithm. Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash (BCH) use SHA-256d, while Litecoin uses Scrypt. A standard Bitcoin ASIC therefore cannot mine Litecoin simply by changing its pool address.
Coins that use the same algorithm may be compatible with the same hardware, but this does not mean the same work earns rewards on both chains. A BTC/BCH switching feature changes which coin receives the miner’s work; it does not duplicate that work across both chains.
In a standard failover configuration, a miner works through its active pool connection. Additional pool URLs serve as backups if that connection fails. Some mining software supports load balancing that allocates separate work across multiple pools, but this divides the available hashrate rather than reusing it. CGMiner’s documentation describes both failover and load-balancing modes.
Merged Mining: Earning Multiple Coins from Shared Work
Merged mining allows compatible blockchains to share proof-of-work. In an Auxiliary Proof of Work (AuxPoW) arrangement, the parent-chain mining job includes a commitment to auxiliary-chain data. The auxiliary chain can verify the shared proof against its own rules.
Sharing an algorithm alone is not enough: the chains must support the necessary relationship, and the pool must operate the merged-mining service and distribute its rewards.
For a practical example, ViaBTC supports earning DOGE while mining LTC. Its current documentation states that miners connecting LTC hashrate under PPS+ or PPLNS receive DOGE through merged mining without an additional mining setup. The pool also supports other auxiliary coins; consult its merged-mining rules for the current list.
Block discovery and individual reward crediting are separate matters. Auxiliary blocks must satisfy the auxiliary chain’s rules, while participating miners receive rewards according to the pool’s distribution method. ViaBTC’s LTC merged-mining rewards are distributed using PPLNS even when the miner selects PPS+ for LTC. The amounts vary, and an individual miner does not need to personally find an auxiliary block to receive a share. See ViaBTC’s LTC merged-mining tutorial.
Multiple Workers, Merged Mining, Coin Switching, and Backup Pools
These arrangements serve different purposes:
| Arrangement | Does it reuse the same mining work across chains? | Main purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple workers under one account | No, not by itself | Manage several miners through one account |
| Merged mining | Yes, for compatible supported chains | Earn auxiliary-chain rewards from shared proof-of-work |
| Coin switching | No | Change which coin receives a miner’s work |
| Backup pool URLs in failover mode | No | Keep mining when the active connection fails |
ViaBTC’s One-click Switch supports switching between BTC and BCH. It changes the selected mining coin rather than mining both from the same work. Follow the pool’s setup instructions for the appropriate connection and settings. ViaBTC’s current feature overview explains the available mode.
How to Set Up Multiple Coins Under One Account
- Confirm which algorithm each miner supports.
- Check that the pool supports your intended coins under one account.
- Open the current setup guide for each coin and use its specified pool address and worker-name format.
- Give each miner a distinct worker name so you can identify it easily.
- Check the available payment methods and any merged-mining eligibility conditions.
- Confirm that each miner appears in the relevant coin’s worker list and is submitting accepted shares.
For this separate-miner setup, each device is configured independently. You do not need a special setting that combines different algorithms or coins.
Do You Need Sub-Accounts?
Sub-accounts can help separate mining sites, groups of miners, or payout destinations. ViaBTC documents separate hashrate and income reporting for each sub-account, along with the ability to set different auto-withdrawal addresses. See ViaBTC’s sub-account guide.
They are an organizational option, not a requirement simply because you mine more than one supported coin. Clearly named workers under one account may be sufficient for a smaller operation.
Conclusion
One mining pool account can manage multiple supported coins through separately configured miners. Earning multiple coins from shared mining work requires a supported merged-mining arrangement. Match each miner to the correct algorithm and connection, then check the pool’s reward rules for the coins you intend to earn.
FAQ
Can I mine BTC and LTC with one ASIC?
A standard single-algorithm ASIC cannot mine both. BTC uses SHA-256d, while LTC uses Scrypt, so they require different mining hardware.
Can I mine BTC and BCH at the same time with the same hashrate?
You cannot reuse the same mining work to earn both BTC and BCH. Compatible equipment and software may allocate separate portions of hashrate to each coin, but that splits the work. Coin switching instead changes which coin receives it.
Does adding several pool URLs split my miner’s hashrate?
Usually not—in a standard failover configuration, additional URLs are backups. Some software supports load balancing, but that requires the appropriate mode and divides work across connections.
Can I earn DOGE while mining LTC on ViaBTC?
Yes. ViaBTC’s current LTC merged-mining program supports DOGE for miners using PPS+ or PPLNS. Auxiliary rewards are distributed using PPLNS, and their amounts vary.
Do I need a separate account for every miner or coin?
At a pool that supports multiple coins under one account, generally no. Use distinct worker names for individual miners and the correct connection details for each coin. Sub-accounts are optional when you want separate reporting or payout arrangements.