One way to share some of the high costs of mining is by joining a mining pool. Pools allow miners to share resources and add more capability, but shared resources mean shared rewards, so the potential payout is less when working through a pool. The volatility of Bitcoin’s price also makes it difficult to know exactly how much you’re working for. What is blockchain and cryptocurrency, are they the same? When it comes to cryptocurrencies, one of the biggest challenges for investors is not getting caught up in the hype. Digital currencies, such as bitcoin, have quickly risen to a place of prominence in the portfolios of many retail and institutional investors. At the same time, analysts continue to caution investors about their volatile nature and unpredictability. Incorporating industry knowledge and developing an understanding of the digital currency market may help individuals with becoming more educated cryptocurrency investors.