ETC seems like a dead project, where nothing works except mining. Kaspa, ETC, and Monero are projects for ASIC mining and are unprofitable for home miners. Kaspa made a lot of noise, but their ASIC hashrate increased very quickly, and ultimately, miners couldn't recoup their equipment costs. Only Monero is a good coin.
They're unprofitable because of the market price. Investors aren't interested in buying these coins as they're focused on fresh, new players. With low market prices for PoW altcoins, why would miners continue to support them? After all, most of them are in the game because of the profits. Not because they want to support the network itself. Perhaps, that's the reason why PoS "shitcoins" have taken over the market.
One thing for sure is that GPU costs went sky-high because of the AI craze. Another reason why altcoin mining isn't worth it. Shall we try CPU mining, instead? Or what about PoC (Proof of Capacity) mining with our hard drives? If coins with such mechanisms take off, it would be worth the shot. I would stay with Bitcoin mining, for now. Only if I can afford energy costs, ofc.
