Switching of workloads according to switchover cost

A method for optimizing returns generated by a computing device, the method comprising:

• monitoring a plurality of signals impacting mining profitability for a plurality of combinations of different cryptocurrencies and different mining pools;
• calculating a most profitable cryptocurrency and mining pool combination from the plurality of combinations of different cryptocurrencies and different mining pools;
• instructing the computing device to switch workloads to the most profitable cryptocurrency and mining pool combination, and mining the most profitable cryptocurrency;
• calculating a difference in profitability from a current workload being worked on by the computing device and the most profitable cryptocurrency and mining pool combination;
• and
• calculating a switchover cost representative of a time period during which no work is performed by the computing device when changing workloads, wherein the instructing is only performed if the difference in profitability is greater than the switchover cost.

A non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium storing instructions executable by a processor of a computing device, which when executed cause the computing device to:

• monitor a plurality of signals impacting a profitability of mining for a plurality of different cryptocurrencies in a plurality of different mining pools;
• calculate a most profitable cryptocurrency and mining pool combination based on the plurality of signals;
• calculate a switching cost;
• predict a benefit to switching to the most profitable cryptocurrency and mining pool combination;
• and
• switch workloads to the most profitable cryptocurrency and mining pool combination if the switching cost is less than the predicted benefit, and mining the most profitable cryptocurrency.