Litecoin (LTC) and Dogecoin (DOGE) both use the Scrypt proof-of-work algorithm. By connecting a Scrypt ASIC to a Litecoin pool that supports Dogecoin merged mining, you can use the same hashing work to mine both coins. You do not need a second machine, a separate DOGE mining configuration, or any division of hashrate between the two chains.
On ViaBTC, LTC miners using PPS+ or PPLNS automatically receive eligible DOGE merged-mining rewards in their accounts. The DOGE portion is calculated under PPLNS, so its amount varies even if you choose PPS+ for LTC. This guide covers setup, reward settlement, withdrawals, and the basics of estimating mining profitability.
What Is LTC/DOGE Merged Mining?
Merged mining allows the same hashing work to contribute to more than one blockchain. Sharing an algorithm is not enough by itself: Dogecoin supports Auxiliary Proof of Work (AuxPoW), and the mining pool must implement the merged-mining process.
For LTC/DOGE merged mining, the pool prepares mining work that includes a commitment to a Dogecoin block. It can then submit suitable proof of work to Dogecoin with the required AuxPoW data. A proof that meets Dogecoin’s target does not also have to meet Litecoin’s target, so finding a DOGE block does not require finding an LTC block at the same time.
From your perspective, the ASIC connects to the Litecoin pool as usual. The pool handles the Dogecoin-side work and distributes rewards according to its rules. You do not run two independent mining jobs or split the device’s hashrate. See Dogecoin’s mining overview for more background.
What You Need Before You Start
Before connecting your miner, prepare:
- A Scrypt ASIC compatible with Litecoin pool mining.
- Electrical capacity, cooling, and a network connection suitable for the device.
- A ViaBTC account with secure account access.
- Access to the ASIC’s configuration interface.
You do not need a DOGE wallet address to begin. ViaBTC credits merged-mining earnings to your account first; you can configure a withdrawal destination later. ViaBTC merged-mining guide
Step-by-Step: Configure LTC Mining on ViaBTC
- Create or sign in to your ViaBTC account. Open the LTC pool settings.
- Select PPS+ or PPLNS as your LTC payment method. Both methods qualify for DOGE merged-mining rewards.
- Open your ASIC’s mining configuration page. Enter the pool connection and worker details below.
- Save and apply the settings. If your device supports backup pool entries, configure the alternative port as well.
- Check that the worker is submitting work. After the connection stabilizes, check the Workers and Earnings pages on ViaBTC.
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Primary pool URL | stratum+tcp://ltc.viabtc.io:3333 |
| Alternative pool URL | stratum+tcp://ltc.viabtc.io:443 |
| Worker name | userID.workerID, for example viabtc.001 |
| Password | Optional; ViaBTC permits any value if the device requires one |
Replace the example user ID with your own. The worker ID should contain lowercase letters and numbers and be no longer than 64 characters. These settings follow ViaBTC’s LTC mining guide.
Check local hashrate in the ASIC interface and pool-estimated hashrate on ViaBTC. The two readings use different measurement methods and may differ over short periods. Compare them over a reasonably aligned period, and inspect rejected shares separately if performance looks abnormal.
How DOGE Rewards Are Credited
ViaBTC’s DOGE merged-mining rules distinguish between your LTC payment method and the way DOGE is distributed:
- LTC eligibility: Your LTC payment method must be PPS+ or PPLNS.
- DOGE calculation: DOGE rewards are distributed under PPLNS with either eligible LTC method.
- Settlement: DOGE earnings are credited to your ViaBTC account every two hours.
Under PPLNS, your DOGE earnings depend on the pool’s DOGE block results and your share contribution in the applicable window. Network difficulty and the amount of accepted work you contribute also affect earnings. Choosing PPS+ for LTC does not make DOGE earnings fixed.
The two-hour schedule concerns internal account settlement. It is separate from withdrawing DOGE to a wallet or another destination. ViaBTC merged-mining guide
How to Receive or Withdraw DOGE
Your credited DOGE appears separately from LTC under Assets → My Assets. You can withdraw manually or set up automatic withdrawals.
To configure automatic withdrawals:
- Open Assets → My Assets and select DOGE.
- Open the auto-withdrawal settings.
- Choose an on-chain wallet address, a CoinEx account, or your own ViaBTC main or sub-account.
- Enter the destination details, complete security verification, and confirm the settings.
ViaBTC lists a minimum automatic withdrawal amount of 20 DOGE. This minimum does not apply when withdrawing to your own ViaBTC main or sub-account, where the amount must be greater than zero.
Automatic withdrawals run once daily between 10:00 and 18:00 UTC+8, subject to the applicable payout conditions. The selected payout mode also matters: ViaBTC supports payouts based on account balance or earnings from previous complete days. This processing window does not guarantee the time an on-chain deposit will arrive.
If you use an exchange deposit address, check the exchange’s DOGE deposit requirements before setting your withdrawal amount. Current settings and rules are available in ViaBTC’s auto-withdrawal guide.
PPS+ vs. PPLNS for LTC Mining
PPS+ pays for valid shares for the block subsidy component—the newly issued coins—independently of whether the pool actually finds a block. Transaction fees are distributed using PPLNS. The subsidy payment per unit of work can change with network difficulty and the subsidy; PPS+ does not mean a permanently fixed earning rate.
PPLNS distributes earnings from blocks the pool actually finds according to miners’ contributed work in the applicable window. This makes short-term earnings more directly dependent on pool luck.
The pool therefore absorbs more block-discovery variance for the subsidy component under PPS+. Under PPLNS, miners experience more of that variance themselves. Pool fees can also differ by payment method. See ViaBTC’s payment-method guide.
For DOGE, the rule remains the same with either eligible LTC method: rewards are distributed under PPLNS.
Check Profitability Before Buying or Operating Hardware
Track LTC and DOGE quantities separately, then convert them into the same currency to estimate combined revenue over the same period.
For example:
Daily gross revenue in USD = (daily LTC earned × LTC price in USD) + (daily DOGE earned × DOGE price in USD)
Subtract electricity, applicable pool fees, and other operating costs once to estimate operating profit. If the earnings figures you use already have pool fees deducted, do not subtract those fees again. Likewise, check whether hosting charges already include electricity or cooling.
Useful inputs include:
- Device hashrate and accepted share performance.
- Measured power consumption.
- Electricity price per kWh.
- Network difficulty for each coin.
- Expected uptime.
- Pool fees and other operating costs.
- Consistent LTC and DOGE price assumptions.
Network difficulty, accepted work, and payout mechanics affect how many coins you earn. Coin prices affect the fiat value of those earnings; a price increase alone does not increase LTC or DOGE output.
A calculator provides an estimate, not a guaranteed result. When assessing a hardware purchase, consider the purchase and installation costs in addition to operating profit.
Hardware Example: Power and Ventilation Planning
Scrypt ASICs can draw substantial power. Bitmain’s 16 GH/s Antminer L9 specification lists typical wall power of 3,360 W at 25°C, efficiency of 210 J/GH, and 220–277 V single-phase AC input. Bitmain L9 specifications
At that typical power draw, continuous operation uses approximately:
3.360 kW × 24 hours = 80.64 kWh per day
Multiply 80.64 kWh by your electricity rate per kWh to estimate daily miner electricity cost. Cooling and other site loads may add to that total.
Use the specifications for your exact device when checking electrical capacity, ventilation, and noise. This example illustrates the scale of power demand; it is not a hardware recommendation.
Common Setup Mistakes
- Selecting an LTC payment method other than PPS+ or PPLNS and expecting DOGE merged-mining rewards.
- Entering a BTC or DOGE pool endpoint instead of ViaBTC’s LTC endpoint.
- Entering an incorrectly formatted worker name.
- Treating a short-term pool hashrate estimate as identical to the ASIC’s local reading.
- Mistaking an accepted share for a found block.
- Expecting the two-hour reward settlement schedule to trigger an on-chain withdrawal.
- Setting an exchange-bound withdrawal amount without checking the exchange’s minimum deposit.
- Deducting the same electricity or pool fee cost twice in a profitability estimate.
FAQ
Do I need separate hardware to mine DOGE alongside LTC?
No. One Scrypt ASIC connected to ViaBTC’s LTC pool can participate in both. The pool handles Dogecoin merged mining, so you do not need a second machine or a separate DOGE configuration.
Will I receive DOGE immediately after connecting my miner?
Not immediately. Once you contribute eligible work, DOGE earnings follow ViaBTC’s PPLNS distribution and two-hour settlement schedule. Withdrawing those earnings is a separate step.
Does choosing PPS+ for LTC make my DOGE reward fixed?
No. ViaBTC distributes DOGE under PPLNS whether you choose PPS+ or PPLNS for LTC.
Can I combine LTC and DOGE earnings into one profitability figure?
Yes. Keep the coin quantities separate, convert both to the same currency using consistent prices and the same measurement period, then add their values. Subtract shared operating costs once.
Which LTC payment methods qualify for DOGE rewards on ViaBTC?
PPS+ and PPLNS qualify under ViaBTC’s documented merged-mining rules.