Frequently Asked Questions
Answers about Bitkern LITE & PRO, Hosting, Crypto Mining, Data Center Infrastructure and more.
01 · Topics
Crypto Mining
01 What is Bitcoin Mining?
Bitcoin mining is the process of validating transactions and securing the Bitcoin network. Specialized computers (ASIC miners) solve complex mathematical problems to add new blocks to the blockchain. Miners are rewarded with newly created Bitcoins and transaction fees.
02 What is Bitkern LITE?
Bitkern LITE is a compact and comprehensive mining solution for an easy and fast entry into Bitcoin mining, no technical effort or prior knowledge required. Customers acquire ownership of the mining hardware and can start with just one miner, while Bitkern takes care of operations, maintenance, and hosting. A 36-month hardware warranty, ≥99% uptime guarantee, and deployment within 24 hours are included and no deposit is required.
03 What is Bitkern PRO?
Bitkern PRO is a professional mining solution for businesses, institutions, and family offices seeking large-scale hardware deployment. Customers acquire high-performance mining hardware, select from 20+ hosting locations worldwide, and benefit from tailor-made concepts for Bitcoin and altcoin mining. A dedicated contact person and 24/7 support are included, while a fast deployment option (online within 24 hours) and a hardware buyback option are available on request.
04 What distinguishes Bitkern LITE from Bitkern PRO?
- Bitkern LITE is mining with guarantees: fully managed operations, a 36-month fixed hosting rate and hardware warranty, ≥99% uptime guarantee and no deposit, starting from a single miner.
- Bitkern PRO is mining with flexibility: a choice of 20+ hosting locations worldwide, tailor-made concepts, own pool management and a personal contact person, starting from 10 miners.
05 Which solution is better for long-term mining?
Both are built for the long term, but with different priorities. Bitkern LITE offers planning certainty through fixed rates, guarantees and fully managed operations. Bitkern PRO offers flexibility and control, with free choice of location and setups tailored to the individual strategy.
06 Can I purchase mining hardware without hosting?
Yes. Mining hardware can be purchased through Bitkern without hosting services for orders of 10 devices or more. Bitkern sources the latest generation of ASIC miners through direct supplier partnerships, with shipping and customs handling available on request.
07 Can I host my existing miners with Bitkern?
Yes. Through the Hosting Only option, existing mining hardware can be placed in Bitkern data centers and benefits from professional operations, low-cost power and 24/7 monitoring. The option is available for fleets of at least 100 next-generation ASIC miners, subject to available capacity.
08 Is profit sharing also possible with Hardware & Hosting?
Yes. The profit sharing model is not limited to Hosting Only and can also be combined with Hardware & Hosting. In this structure, operating costs are covered from the mining output first, and the remaining profit is split on an agreed percentage. Whether profit sharing fits a specific setup depends on factors such as fleet size, hardware generation and the chosen location, and is best discussed directly with the Bitkern team.
02 · Topics
Bitkern LITE
General Questions
01 What is Bitkern LITE?
Bitkern LITE is a compact and comprehensive mining solution for an easy and fast entry into Bitcoin mining, no technical effort or prior knowledge required. Customers acquire ownership of the mining hardware and can start with just one miner, while Bitkern takes care of operations, maintenance, and hosting. A 36-month hardware warranty, ≥99% uptime guarantee, and deployment within 24 hours are included and no deposit is required.
02 Who is Bitkern LITE for?
Bitkern LITE is designed for both private customers (B2C) and businesses (B2B) seeking a straightforward mining solution.
03 What sets Bitkern LITE apart from other mining solutions?
Bitkern LITE combines full hardware ownership with several guarantees: ≥99% uptime guarantee (Hosting Rate A), an extended 36-month hardware warranty covering all repair costs, and a hosting rate fixed for 36 months. Two hosting tariffs keep mining flexible: hosting rate A with ≥99% uptime, hosting rate B with ~65% uptime. Switching is possible at any time directly in the dashboard (with a lock-up period of 14 days). Entry starts from a single miner, with no deposit and no technical knowledge required. The hardware is online within 24 hours, while Bitkern handles setup, operations and maintenance.
04 Do I need technical knowledge to start with Bitkern LITE?
No, Bitkern LITE is specifically designed for users with no technical background. Bitkern handles setup, operations and maintenance.
Purchase and commissioning
01 How can I purchase Bitkern LITE?
Bitkern LITE can be purchased through the Bitkern website. After selecting your desired miner and confirming and paying for the purchase, the hardware will be installed and activated.
02 How long does it take for my miner to be active?
After payment is received, the mining hardware will be installed and activated usually within 24 hours.
03 What payment methods are accepted?
Payments can be made by credit card (Visa, Mastercard), PayPal, or crypto in USDT (ERC-20, TRC-20) and USDC (ERC-20).
04 Can I operate multiple miners at the same time?
Yes, customers can purchase multiple miners and run them simultaneously in our data centers.
05 What is the difference between purchasing as a private customer versus as a company?
The distinction between purchasing as a private customer or as a business has tax-related implications on the invoicing issued by Bitkern. Therefore, an appropriate verification is performed during the purchase process. Bitkern positions itself as a professional partner for the acquisition of hardware and provision of hosting services. Bitkern explicitly advises that the tax implications arising from operating miners should be individually reviewed by the buyer, potentially with the assistance of a tax advisor.
06 What is included in the package of services?
Bitkern is not only providing the purchased mining hardware to the customers, but a package of services that includes the sale of mining hardware, its installation and operation in the data center, and connection of the mining hardware to a mining pool (operated by a third party), maintenance of the mining hardware, support of the customer and repair services.
Term and termination
01 When does the hosting service term start and how long does it last?
The hosting service begins once the mining hardware has been installed at the data center and continues for a period of 36 months.
02 Is there an option to extend the hosting service?
Yes. After the initial 36 months, the customer may extend the hosting service by 12 months. Please note that in this extended hosting period, different fees may apply. Bitkern will provide written notice of the revised terms, and applicable costs to the customer at least 30 days prior to the expiry of the initial term.
03 Can I terminate the hosting service early?
No, the customer does not have the right to terminate the hosting services prematurely. If mining crypto assets using the customer's mining hardware is unprofitable for a continuous period of 3 months or an operator of a data center terminates their agreement with Bitkern or is no longer able to provide the agreed services to Bitkern, Bitkern and the customer have the right to terminate the hosting service for good cause and with immediate effect.
04 What happens with the hardware after the term ends or if terminated for good cause?
At the end of the term, or in the event of termination for good cause and upon the customer's explicit request, the mining hardware will be shipped to the customer's domicile. The shipping is performed at market-standard costs including a handling fee, which is borne by the customer. Additional costs for importing the hardware (import sales tax, customs duties, and other handling fees, etc.) are also borne by the customer.
05 What happens to my mining hardware after the term ends?
After the term, the customer is responsible for removing the mining hardware at his or her own expense. If not removed within three months, Bitkern may dispose of the hardware at its sole discretion. In such a case, Bitkern is not liable for any claims or damages arising from the disposal of the customer's mining hardware.
Output and costs
01 How and when do I receive my mining rewards?
Mining output is recorded daily and displayed in Bitcoin through the Bitkern LITE dashboard.
02 What costs are associated with operating my miner at Bitkern?
When you operate a miner with Bitkern, you pay a hosting fee based on how much electricity your miner uses. Bitkern offers two electricity tariffs to help keep mining profitable, even if market conditions change. This price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) stays fixed for the first 36 months. After this period of time, Bitkern may adjust it to match current market rates. The hosting fees are automatically deducted from your mining output.
03 How much output can I expect from my mining hardware?
Bitkern does not guarantee fixed profits, as mining output depends on factors like the Bitcoin price and mining difficulty, which are beyond Bitkern's control.
04 What happens if output is less than operating costs?
If operation of the mining hardware under hosting rate A is no longer profitable, Bitkern has the right to reduce the uptime of the mining hardware and switch from hosting rate A to hosting rate B.
05 What happens if the mining hardware remains unprofitable even with the lower-cost hosting rate B for an extended period?
If the customer's mining hardware does not generate profits over an uninterrupted period of 3 months (i.e. mining output minus hosting fees), both Bitkern and the customer have the right to terminate the contract with immediate effect.
06 Can I sell the mining hardware I purchased from Bitkern during the hosting term?
Customers are not permitted to sell or otherwise dispose of the mining hardware during the hosting term without prior written notification to Bitkern.
07 What is the difference between hosting rate A and hosting rate B?
The Bitkern LITE service offers two hosting rates that differ in miner uptime and pricing:
- Hosting Rate A (≥99% uptime): Miners run continuously, 24/7, without interruptions.
- Hosting Rate B (~65% uptime): Miners operate only during periods with lower electricity prices and pause during high-price peak periods. This reduces overall electricity costs. The uptime of the miners can vary daily, with the miners being active ~65% of the time on average on a yearly basis. Uptime is generally higher on weekends compared to regular working days.
Customers can switch hosting rate directly in the dashboard. After switching, the new hosting rate takes effect immediately. A further change is only possible after 14 days.
08 How can I switch my hosting rate?
Customers can change hosting rate directly in the dashboard. After a switch, the selected hosting rate takes effect immediately. To ensure stable operations, each hosting rate change is then locked for 14 days. Once this period has passed, hosting rate can be switched again.
Operation and maintenance
01 How is the ≥99% uptime guarantee ensured?
Bitkern provides a ≥99% uptime guarantee (hosting rate A) for the first 36 months. In the event of a miner failure, it will be immediately repaired or temporarily replaced by a Bitkern miner, ensuring there are no interruptions.
02 Do I need to handle updates or maintenance?
No, Bitkern takes care of all maintenance, repairs, and software updates for the entire duration of the contract.
03 What hardware warranty and guarantee do I have?
Bitkern offers an extended 36 month warranty on the mining hardware the customer has purchased. This means that Bitkern covers all costs for any necessary repairs. Events of force majeure are excluded.
04 Can I manage or directly access the mining hardware myself?
Customers are permitted to access their mining hardware upon request, provided such access is coordinated with Bitkern and complies with the operational and security protocols of the data center. Access does not imply the right of use of a specific property or physical area, hence no real estate related services are being offered. In addition, each customer can monitor their hardware and the coins mined with it at any time via a personal dashboard.
05 How do I get access to my personal dashboard?
Bitkern offers customers access to a personalized dashboard by logging in on the website using their account. The dashboard enables management of the hosting services and customers can monitor the mining performance, including hash rate, uptime, and accumulated output.
To create an account and access the dashboard, customers must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts under applicable law
- Complete the registration process on the website by providing accurate and complete information
- Agree to Bitkern's terms during registration
- Ensure that mined crypto-assets are collected to a wallet address solely controlled by the customer
- Purchase the mining hardware in their own name and for their own account
06 What happens if my mining hardware is defective?
In the event of a hardware defect, Bitkern immediately provides a functionally equivalent replacement machine from its own inventory, which takes over operations during the repair period. Once the repair is completed, the original hardware is swapped back, so mining continues without interruption.
Security and support
01 How secure is Bitkern LITE?
Bitkern is an experienced provider with professional infrastructure and the highest security standards. The mining hardware is installed and activated in secured data centers with continuous monitoring. However, mining is subject to market fluctuations, regulatory changes, and increasing mining difficulty, so guaranteed output or returns cannot be assured.
02 What happens if I don’t request a payout immediately?
You can check your mining output at any time in your customer dashboard. If you don't request an immediate transfer of your BTC, the balance will simply remain in your account and is available whenever you need it. The cost per withdrawal is BTC 0.00003 BTC.
03 Is mining hardware insured at the locations?
Bitkern cannot guarantee that mining hardware is insured at all locations. Events such as theft, fire, or other unforeseen damages are considered force majeure, over which Bitkern has no control. Customers should be aware of these risks.
04 How can I contact customer support?
Support can be reached via the customer dashboard or email. Customers receive professional assistance with any questions or issues.
05 What risks should I be aware of when purchasing mining hardware and using Bitkern’s hosting services?
06 Does Bitkern hold Bitcoin for customers?
No. Bitkern does not hold Bitcoin for customers. Bitkern has no access to the customer's private key, therefore custody of crypto assets by Bitkern is not provided.
07 Do I have direct access to my mining hardware?
As a rule, access to the hardware is not possible for IT security and safety reasons. However, customers are provided with full transparency regarding their hardware and output via a dashboard and can make individual settings.
03 · Topics
Bitkern PRO
General Questions
01 What is Bitkern PRO?
Bitkern PRO is a professional mining solution for businesses, institutions, and family offices seeking large-scale hardware deployment. Customers acquire high-performance mining hardware, select from 20+ hosting locations worldwide, and benefit from tailor-made concepts for Bitcoin and altcoin mining. A dedicated contact person and 24/7 support are included, while a fast deployment option (online within 24 hours) and a hardware buyback option are available on request.
02 Who is Bitkern PRO for?
Bitkern PRO is designed for businesses, institutions, family offices, or professionl market participants who aim to deploy and run larger-scale mining hardware. With hosting options available worldwide, customers can select the location that best aligns with their preferences regarding energy costs and infrastructure.
03 What hardware can I purchase with Bitkern PRO?
Bitkern offers a selection of the latest high-performance ASIC miners from leading manufacturers such as Bitmain, MicroBT, Canaan, and Bitdeer, including air-cooled and hydro-cooled models like the Antminer S21 XP, Antminer S21+ Hydro, or Whatsminer M60S++. Beyond Bitcoin (SHA-256), hardware for altcoin mining is also available, such as the Antminer L9 (Scrypt) or Antminer KS 7 (KHEAVYHASH).
04 Can I customize my mining setup?
Yes, Bitkern offers tailored solutions for Bitcoin and altcoin mining, customized to meet specific needs. For detailed information about specific locations and customization options, we recommend scheduling a meeting with one of our experts.
05 Where are the hosting locations?
Data centers are located across Europe, North America, South America, Asia, and Africa. Customers select the location that best meets their requirements regarding energy prices, climate conditions, and regulatory frameworks.
06 Can I purchase mining hardware without hosting?
Yes. Mining hardware can be purchased through Bitkern without hosting services for orders of 10 devices or more. Bitkern sources the latest generation of ASIC miners through direct supplier partnerships, with shipping and customs handling available on request.
07 Can I host my existing miners with Bitkern?
Yes. Through the Hosting Only option, existing mining hardware can be placed in Bitkern data centers and benefits from professional operations, low-cost power and 24/7 monitoring. The option is available for fleets of at least 100 next-generation ASIC miners, subject to available capacity.
Purchase and commissioning
01 How can I purchase Bitkern PRO?
Bitkern PRO is arranged through a personal consultation. It starts with an initial conversation to discuss the requirements. Based on this, a tailored offer is prepared, covering hardware selection, hosting location, and contract structure. Once the offer is confirmed and paid, Bitkern handles delivery, setup, and ongoing operation of the mining hardware.
02 What payment methods are accepted?
Payments can be made in USD, EUR, CHF, or GBP, as well as in crypto with USDT or USDC.
Term and termination
01 Is there a minimum term for hosting?
Yes. The minimum hosting term is 12 months, with the option to renew annually for another 12 months. Unless otherwise agreed, the contract can be terminated at the end of each contract year.
02 Can I remove my mining hardware from the data center at any time?
Customers can have their hardware removed after the hosting contract term ends. Even during the contract period, Bitkern reviews individual options upon request to provide tailored solutions for its customers.
03 Can I sell my mining hardware at any time? Does Bitkern offer a service for this?
As long as an active hosting contract exists, selling the hardware to third parties is not permitted. However, Bitkern offers a buyback option, where your mining hardware is marketed within Bitkern‘s network, including hosting, under the best possible market conditions. After the hosting contract ends or is terminated, you have full control over your hardware and can sell it to third parties.
Output and costs
01 What are the hosting costs?
Hosting fees are calculated per kWh and vary depending on the selected location. All essential services, such as maintenance and support, are already included in the rate, so that no additional costs apply. If the hardware is purchased through Bitkern, shipping costs, customs fees, and installation costs are also included in the purchase price. There are no hidden fees, as all applicable charges are transparently reflected in the hardware pricing.
02 How are electricity costs billed?
Electricity costs are billed monthly, based on the actual consumption in kWh of the previous month. All incurred costs are fully transparent and can be tracked at any time through the Bitkern PRO dashboard.
03 Can mining be paused temporarily?
This depends on the hosting location. At some locations, pausing mining is not possible. However, upon customer request, Bitkern may be able to arrange a mutually agreed solution to temporarily suspend mining.
Operation and maintenance
01 What is the uptime?
The uptime ranges between 90% and 99%, depending on the location, ensuring stable power supply and reliable internet connectivity. For detailed information about specific locations, we recommend scheduling a meeting with one of our experts.
02 Who handles maintenance and repairs?
Bitkern offers various maintenance options depending on the contract:
- During the manufacturer's warranty period, Bitkern handles all warranty claims.
- After the warranty expires, customers can request repair services as needed.
- If the "Repair Plus" package is booked, Bitkern covers all repairs for the first 12 months.
03 Do I have direct access to my mining hardware?
As a rule, access to the hardware is not possible for IT security and safety reasons. However, customers are provided with full transparency regarding their hardware and output via a dashboard and can make individual settings.
Security and support
01 How secure is my hardware in Bitkern data centers?
All Bitkern data centers are secured and monitored 24/7. Physical access is restricted to authorized personnel, ensuring the hardware is protected at all times.
02 Is my mining hardware insured?
Mining hardware is not insured by default. Optional coverage against fire and theft is available for a fee, or Bitkern can share contact details of insurance providers for customers who prefer to arrange coverage independently.
04 · Topics
Hosting Only
01 Which profit structure is better for me?
It comes down to risk appetite, the need for predictability and the outlook on BTC. Fixed Price favors certainty and conviction: costs are known up front and every satoshi is retained, but the power and price risk sits with the client. Profit Share favors downside protection: operating costs are covered first and only the remaining profit is shared, so mining keeps running through compressed margins.
02 How is the profit share calculated?
Each cycle the full mining output produced by the fleet is taken, the operating costs are deducted (power, hosting, maintenance and repairs), and the remaining profit is split on the agreed percentage. A clear statement showing output, costs and the resulting split is provided for every payout.
03 Which hardware generations does Bitkern accept?
Bitkern hosts next-generation ASIC miners with a minimum fleet of 100 units. Older or low-efficiency models are reviewed case by case, since power efficiency directly affects both the economics and the assigned site profile. A model list can be sent and eligibility is confirmed.
04 Is profit sharing also possible with Hardware & Hosting?
Yes. The profit sharing model is not limited to Hosting Only and can also be combined with Hardware & Hosting. In this structure, operating costs are covered from the mining output first, and the remaining profit is split on an agreed percentage. Whether profit sharing fits a specific setup depends on factors such as fleet size, hardware generation and the chosen location, and is best discussed directly with the Bitkern team.
05 · Topics
Data Center Infrastructure
01 What capacity range does a single Bitkern site cover?
Target capacity runs from 5 MW up to 50+ MW sites. Locations are sourced from a greenfield pipeline with power costs in the range of $0.04 to $0.05 per kWh, spanning five regions across South and North America, Europe, Africa and Asia.
02 How long does it take from site development to operation?
Acquisition and pre-development typically takes 2 to 3 months for technical and commercial due diligence, energy and site feasibility, permits, grid path analysis and deal structuring. Construction and commissioning then runs 3 to 4 months from CapEx commitment to first hashrate. Operation follows for up to 20 years, with a sale option available anytime.
03 How do curtailment and grid programs affect uptime?
Uptime is deliberately flexible rather than fixed at a maximum. Through a flexible approach, a site can actively participate in grid balancing markets and curtail power during peak demand or pricing events, opening up recurring revenue streams while supporting a more resilient grid. Operators can balance core mining against market participation to optimize profitability across both, which means a site may run slightly below maximum uptime by design.
04 Does Bitkern keep ownership of the sites?
No. Bitkern develops, builds and operates the facilities throughout the holding period, but the assets are owned by the buyer rather than by Bitkern. Across acquisition, construction, operation and exit, Bitkern acts as a single counterparty, running day-to-day operations while remaining stays with the client. When the asset is to be realized, Bitkern manages the full exit, from buyer outreach and data room preparation to valuation and negotiation.
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05 What does end-to-end delivery actually include?
Every phase is handled by one team. Acquisition covers due diligence, feasibility, permits and deal structuring. Construction covers EPC oversight, hardware procurement, logistics, QA and on-time commissioning. Operation covers 24/7 remote monitoring, efficiency optimization, maintenance and transparent reporting. Exit covers buyer outreach, data room, valuation and handover. This removes the fragmentation across developers, operators and EPCs and keeps accountability in a single point of contact.
06 Is AI data center infrastructure also available?
Yes, through Castellan, a sister company of the Bitkern Group. Castellan is a European company that develops and operates sovereign AI infrastructure, headquartered in Switzerland with activity across Europe and the United States. It draws on the expertise and experience of the Bitkern Group and on access to more than 5 GW of power capacity.
06 · Topics
Mining Calculator
01 How does the mining calculator work?
The calculator combines three inputs: the selected hardware with its hashrate, efficiency, and price, the hosting conditions of the chosen product line, and adjustable market assumptions such as coin price and difficulty growth. From these inputs, it projects monthly output, operating costs, and break-even. Beyond the monthly figures, the calculator displays the total BTC mined over the full period for the Mine & Hold and Mine & Sell strategies, together with sale scenarios at various BTC prices.
02 Which coins can be calculated?
The calculator supports Bitcoin as well as selected altcoins such as Litecoin, Zcash, and Kaspa, depending on the chosen hardware.
03 What is the hashrate (TH/s)?
The Hashrate shows how many calculations a miner can make per second. A higher hashrate means more tries and a better chance to find a valid hash. TH/s means “terahashes per second”: trillions of tries every second.
04 What is efficiency (W/TH)?
Efficiency describes how much electrical power a miner consumes per terahash of computing power, measured in watts per terahash (W/TH). The lower the value, the less electricity is needed for the same mining output. Efficiency is a key driver of profitability, as it determines the monthly power consumption and therefore the hosting costs.
05 What is the difficulty?
Network difficulty determines how hard it is to find a new block and earn the block reward. It adjusts automatically to the total computing power in the network: when more miners join, the difficulty rises and each individual miner earns fewer coins for the same hashrate.
06 Where do the price and difficulty data come from?
The Bitcoin price and network difficulty are pulled live from public market data each time the calculator loads. Both values can be adjusted manually at any time to test different assumptions.
07 Is the Bitcoin halving taken into account?
YYes. The calculator includes the upcoming halving, which cuts the block reward in half. By default, the halving is assumed for April 2028, and the halving month can be adjusted in the advanced settings.
08 What are hosting costs and what do they include?
Hosting costs cover the operation of the hardware in a Bitkern data center and are billed per kilowatt hour of actual power consumption. The rate already includes electricity, cooling, monitoring, maintenance, and support, so no additional operating fees apply.
09 What assumptions are used in the calculation?
The calculation is based on adjustable default assumptions: the current Bitcoin price and network difficulty from live market data, a monthly price growth of 3%, a monthly difficulty growth of 1.5%, the upcoming halving in April 2028 with an expected difficulty adjustment of −25% afterwards, the uptime of the selected hosting option, and a projection period of 60 months. All values can be changed freely at any time to model any scenario.