Pearl mining is different from Bitcoin mining. Instead of burning power on SHA-256 hashes, Pearl miners do noisy matrix multiplications, the same kind of math that AI training and inference run on, and prove the work with a compact zero-knowledge proof. This guide explains how to mine Pearl as a beginner: the hardware that works, how to pick a pool, where your rewards go and when you can spend them.
How Pearl mining works
Pearl is a proof-of-useful-work (PoUW) layer 1 built by Pearl Research Labs. Its mining algorithm (NoisyGEMM, also called cuPOW) has miners multiply large matrices on the GPU. The result is committed and backed by a zero-knowledge proof, so the network can check it cheaply. Apart from that, the chain works much like Bitcoin: UTXO coins, Taproot addresses and a declining block reward.
- Blocks arrive every few minutes: the network targets 3 minutes 14 seconds per block.
- Maximum supply is 2.1 billion PRL.
- New coins go to miners as the block reward, which declines over time.
Pearl GPU mining: what hardware you need
The short version: an Nvidia GPU. Pearl launched as Nvidia-only and Nvidia is still the safe choice; some community pools now list AMD cards too, so check your pool first. CPUs are out. Everything else in the machine is light work, so you do not need a powerful CPU, lots of RAM or much storage.
Which Nvidia card makes sense depends on the pool you plan to use:
- Datacenter cards (H100, H200) are what the official Pearl Research pool targets.
- Consumer Nvidia GPUs are supported by community pools such as HeroMiners and Kryptex Pool.
Datacenter GPUs can also be rented from cloud providers instead of bought. Either way, check your costs against the current network difficulty and PRL price before committing money. This guide does not estimate earnings, because they change constantly.
Choosing a Pearl mining pool
Solo mining means finding whole blocks yourself, which can take a long time on one card. A pool combines many miners and shares the rewards, so you get smaller, steadier payouts.
| Official Pearl Research pool | Community pools | |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | Pearl Research Labs | Independent operators, e.g. HeroMiners, Kryptex Pool |
| Target hardware | H100 and H200 datacenter GPUs | Consumer Nvidia GPUs |
| Pool fee | 20% | Set by each pool, check their site |
| Payout | To the Pearl address you set | To the Pearl address you set, on the pool’s schedule |
When comparing pools, look at:
- Supported GPUs. Make sure the pool supports the card you have.
- Fee. A lower fee leaves more of each block for you.
- Minimum payout and schedule. How often the pool pays and how much it waits to collect first.
- Reputation. Use pools you can find through official Pearl channels or well-known pool sites.
Each pool publishes its own setup instructions and the miner software it expects. Follow those, and get Pearl software only from official sources such as Pearl Research Labs on GitHub.
Set your payout address
Every pool asks for a Pearl address to pay. Mainnet Pearl addresses start with prl1p. Use an address from a wallet where only you hold the seed phrase, never an address someone sent you.
- Create a wallet. The official option is Pearl Wallet, the open-source desktop app. Oyster is an independent wallet for Chrome and your phone via the web app. See how to create a Pearl wallet.
- Copy a receive address and paste it into the pool’s payout setting.
- Double-check the first and last characters before you save.
In Oyster, turning on miner mode gives you one fixed payout address that never changes, plus a Mining screen with today, 7-day and daily-average totals. The payout wallet guide covers that setup in detail.
When you can spend mined PRL
Newly mined coins are not spendable right away. Pearl mining rewards need 100 confirmations before they can be spent. At a few minutes per block, that is roughly 4.5 to 5.5 hours. Your wallet may show them as maturing until then. Pools add their own timing on top, so check your pool’s payout page if a reward seems late.
You can look up any payout on the Pearl explorer by pasting your address.
Stay safe while mining
- Never type your seed phrase into a miner, pool dashboard or setup script. A pool only needs your address.
- Download miner software only from the pool’s own site or the official Pearl GitHub.
- Watch for fake pools and look-alike tokens. Read Pearl scams to avoid.
Want to turn rewards into USDT? See how to sell PRL, or the best wallet for mining payouts.
Frequently asked questions
Can I mine Pearl with an AMD GPU or a CPU?
Not with a CPU. Pearl launched as Nvidia-only and Nvidia GPUs are still the safe choice. Some community pools now list AMD cards through third-party miners, so check your pool's supported hardware before buying. The CPU, RAM and storage in the rig matter very little.
Can I mine Pearl on a gaming GPU?
Yes, through a community pool. The official Pearl Research pool is aimed at H100 and H200 datacenter cards, while community pools such as HeroMiners and Kryptex Pool support consumer Nvidia GPUs.
How long until I can spend mined PRL?
Mining rewards need 100 confirmations before they can be spent. With blocks every few minutes (the network targets 3 minutes 14 seconds), that is roughly 4.5 to 5.5 hours. Pools may also apply their own payout schedule and minimum.
Is Pearl mining profitable?
It depends on your hardware, electricity cost, pool fees, network difficulty and the PRL price, all of which change. Run the numbers for your own setup before you buy hardware or rent GPUs.
Do I need a wallet before I start mining?
Yes. The pool needs a Pearl payout address, which starts with prl1p on mainnet. Create a wallet first and use an address from it that you control.