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Crypto Mining Stocks Vs Bitcoin: Why Not Both?

By Isaiah Mccall

Last Updated: Feb 13, 2025

Fact checked

By Sam Cooling

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Disclaimer
Crypto is a high-risk asset class. This article is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice. You could lose all of your capital. 99Bitcoins may receive advertising commissions for visits to a suggested operator through our affiliate links, at no added cost to you. All our recommendations follow a thorough review process.
2025 is the year of the IPO for crypto stocks, but who wins stocks vs Bitcoin? And what are the best crypto mining stocks to buy?
Disclaimer Icon
Disclaimer
Crypto is a high-risk asset class. This article is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice. You could lose all of your capital. 99Bitcoins may receive advertising commissions for visits to a suggested operator through our affiliate links, at no added cost to you. All our recommendations follow a thorough review process.

Investors have flocked to crypto mining stocks—think Marathon Patent Group, Riot Blockchain, and SOS Ltd.—as a way into the booming cryptocurrency market. But is mining the better play, or does direct investment win out? Here’s the breakdown.

When Bitcoin started, anyone could mine with an average laptop. But as the network expanded, the calculations required to mine new blocks became too complex for basic machines.

Why Are Crypto Mining Stocks Valuable?

Today, mining Bitcoin is a whole different ball of wax… that’s a gross metaphor. It demands high-tech hardware called ASIC miners, or what most call “mining rigs.”

 

The best rigs use the newest, highest-powered GPUs, making hot items like Nvidia’s 2080s and 3080s scarce and pricey.

The No.1 Reason to Invest In Crypto Mining Over BTC

While retail investors in most jurisdictions can buy crypto for themselves, the situation is different for big banks, investment companies, insurance firms, hedge funds, etc.

Since crypto is a new industry, many countries lack a legal framework allowing companies to invest in cryptocurrencies in a regulated way. Sometimes, these stocks are also positioned to outperform Bitcoin.

While stocks like RIOT and MARA are directly tied to the price of Bitcoin, they also have their own metrics for success, including total BTC mined and eco-friendly production plants.

Keep Your Eye On These Three Stocks

(Trading View)
  • Riot Blockchain (RIOT): Running its operations deep in the heart of Texas, it remains a top mining stock in 2025. It’s not the biggest by market cap, but the name holds sway in most households dabbling in crypto investments.
  • Marathon Digital Holdings (MARA): Conversely, leads the pack with an energized hash rate of 53.2, outpacing Riot and securing its dominance in hash power.
  • Bit Digital (BTBT): Meanwhile, New York City-based Bit Digital (BTBT) made waves in 2020, consistently outperforming Bitcoin’s price growth quarter after quarter.

Under Trump, North America is primed to become a hub of crypto mining, which is why mining stocks are continuing to thrive.

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Key Takeaways

  • Crypto mining stocks shouldn’t be considered competition or a replacement for cryptocurrencies.
  • Rather they can be considered a supplementary asset with important use cases.
  • Stocks like RIOT, MARA, and BTBT are worth looking into if you want to invest outside Bitcoin and traditional coins.

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Isaiah Mccall
Isaiah Mccall
Crypto Analyst

Isaiah McCall is an ultramarathon runner and journalist for 99Bitcoins. He started at USAToday in 2019 and now has a Medium blog following of 30k+ and millions of views. Follow him at @AfroReporter Read More

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