Buyer guide · Updated Oct 2026
Is ASIC mining profitable in BC in 2026?
It can be, but in British Columbia the bigger question is often where you can plug the miner in. Here's what BC buyers should know before they buy.
1. BC's permanent ban on new crypto-mining connections
In October 2025, the BC government announced that new BC Hydro connections to the grid for cryptocurrency mining will be banned permanently. Crypto mining is also excluded from BC Hydro's new power-allocation process for emerging industries such as AI and data centres. Source: BC Gov News, Oct 20, 2025.
What this means for you: don't plan a new commercial mining site on BC Hydro power. If you're thinking about running miners at a home or business in BC, check your own situation with BC Hydro (or your local utility) before you buy. This is general information, not legal advice.
2. How to tell if a miner is profitable
- Electricity cost: daily kWh = watts × 24 ÷ 1000. An Antminer S21 Pro+ 245T at 3,675 W uses about 88 kWh a day.
- Efficiency: lower J/TH is better. The S23 XP Hyd (8.9 J/TH) earns much more per kWh than an S19 XP Hyd (20.8 J/TH).
- Network and price: use our live profit calculator (CAD or USD).
- Payback: divide the landed price by the daily profit. Remember that difficulty usually rises over time.
3. Options for BC-based buyers
- Mining out of province: many Canadian miners run their machines in provinces or US states with lower rates and mining-friendly utilities, often at a third-party hosting site. We can ship straight to your chosen site anywhere in Canada or the USA.
- Small-scale home use: full-size ASICs are loud (about 75 dB air-cooled) and need 240 V circuits. Hydro units are quieter but need three-phase power and plumbing. Check the rules, wiring and noise before you buy.
- Heat reuse: some buyers use miners to heat a shop or greenhouse. Check the connection and electrical-code rules first.
Want us to run the numbers?
Send us your power rate, location and budget, and we'll suggest a model and send you a quote.