Monero Mining: How to Mine XMR with P2Pool and XMRig on Linux, MacOS, and Windows

Sep 17, 2026 · based on the channel We're looking for cool stuff on GitHub.

Monero mining is a privacy-focused and decentralized way to earn XMR cryptocurrency by contributing your computing power to the network. The most private and fair method to mine Monero is through P2Pool combined with XMRig miner software, which supports Linux, MacOS, and Windows operating systems. This setup allows miners to mine directly to their own wallets with zero pool fees and instant payouts, ensuring you keep 100% of your rewards. For wallet downloads, visit the official Monero site at https://www.getmonero.org/downloads/.

## Why Choose P2Pool for Monero Mining?
P2Pool is a decentralized mining pool that operates as a sidechain, meaning you run your own node and maintain full control over your block templates. This approach eliminates the need for registration, KYC, or minimum payout thresholds typically required by traditional mining pools. Instant payouts are made each time a P2Pool node finds a block, which helps avoid long waiting periods common with solo or traditional pool mining. Additionally, your hashrate directly enhances Monero’s network security by contributing to decentralized block validation.

Video: Monero Mining on Linux, MacOS & Windows – P2Pool + XMRig Full Tutorial (GUPAX) | Solo Mining XMR

## Setting Up Your Monero Wallet and Node
To start mining Monero, first download and install the official Monero GUI or CLI wallet from https://www.getmonero.org/downloads/. This wallet will receive your mining rewards. Next, you need access to a Monero node, which can be your own full node or a trusted remote node. Running your own node maximizes privacy but requires syncing the entire blockchain, whereas remote nodes offer quicker setup without syncing.

## Installing and Configuring XMRig on Linux, MacOS, and Windows
XMRig is a high-performance CPU miner compatible with all major desktop operating systems. Installation steps vary by OS:

1. Linux (Ubuntu/Debian): Use terminal commands to download and extract XMRig binaries. Configure the `config.json` file to point your miner to your P2Pool node.
2. MacOS: Install via Homebrew or manual download, then configure mining parameters similarly.
3. Windows: Use the GUPAX GUI for an easy setup, or run PowerShell scripts for manual configuration.

For all OS versions, ensure you set the mining address to your wallet and specify the P2Pool node’s IP or domain. Running XMRig with administrator or root privileges can noticeably improve hashrate performance.

## Running Your Own P2Pool Node
Operating a P2Pool node allows complete decentralization and control. You can run the node locally on your machine or remotely on a server. The P2Pool node software is available on GitHub at https://github.com/SChernykh/p2pool. Once your node is running, connect XMRig to it by updating the mining pool address in your miner’s configuration. This setup avoids pool fees and gives you direct access to mining rewards.

To monitor your mining shares and hashrate, use the P2Pool observer at https://p2pool.io/observer/. This tool displays your contributions and confirms your payouts.

## Performance Tuning and Optimization Tips
Mining Monero efficiently requires optimizing CPU usage and miner settings:

• Run XMRig with admin/root privileges for maximum hashrate.
• Adjust thread count in XMRig config to match your CPU cores.
• On MacOS Apple Silicon (e.g., M2 Pro), expect around 6 KH/s with low heat generation.
• Use the GUPAX GUI or Dockerized version with noVNC for easy remote monitoring and management.

Slower miners may experience longer intervals between payouts due to the nature of share discovery in P2Pool, but the decentralized and fair distribution model ensures eventual rewards without fees.

## Common Questions and Troubleshooting
Many miners wonder about payout timings and share discovery. If no shares are found for extended periods, payouts will be delayed, and very low hashrate miners might wait days. Using P2Pool avoids minimum payout thresholds, so patience is key. The GUPAX GUI simplifies connecting to remote nodes without syncing the full blockchain, ideal for Windows users.

## Useful Links
- Official Monero Wallets: https://www.getmonero.org/downloads/
- GUPAX Miner (Cross-platform): https://short-url.cc/1zm8Y
- P2Pool Node Software: https://github.com/SChernykh/p2pool
- P2Pool Observer: https://p2pool.io/observer/

## Итог
Mining Monero with P2Pool and XMRig offers a truly decentralized way to earn XMR with no pool fees, instant payouts, and full control over your mining operation. The cross-platform GUPAX setup simplifies the process on Linux, MacOS, and Windows. By running your own P2Pool node, you contribute directly to Monero’s privacy and network security. For wallet downloads and more information, visit the official Monero site at https://www.getmonero.org/downloads/.

This guide is based on the detailed tutorial by the YouTube channel "We're looking for cool stuff on GitHub.", a great resource for privacy-focused crypto mining content.

Source: Monero Mining on Linux, MacOS & Windows – P2Pool + XMRig Full Tutorial (GUPAX) | Solo Mining XMR · Markdown version