6 weirdest devices people have used to mine Bitcoin and crypto

CoinTelegraph

by Felix Ng

January 28, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The world of cryptocurrency mining has seen its fair share of creativity, with enthusiasts repurposing everyday devices in unexpected ways to mine Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. From gaming consoles to smart home gadgets, individuals have pushed the boundaries of what's possible in the pursuit of digital gold. This article highlights some of the strangest devices used for mining, showcasing both ingenuity and the lengths people will go to in the crypto space. One notable example is the PlayStation 4 console, which has been repurposed as a cryptocurrency miner. Ukrainian authorities even seized thousands of these consoles during a raid linked to an electricity-theft scheme. Additionally, hardware manufacturers like ASRock have created specialized mining rigs using components similar to those found in the PlayStation 5, demonstrating how gaming technology can be adapted for mining purposes. The Mirai botnet, originally designed for DDoS attacks, was repurposed to mine Bitcoin by infecting IoT devices such as CCTV cameras. This cyberattack turned thousands of compromised devices into a collective mining operation, raising questions about the ethical and practical implications of such large-scale efforts. In an even quirkier twist, a YouTuber managed to mine Bitcoin using a Nintendo Game

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Originally published on CoinTelegraph on 1/28/2026