Bitcoin is a distributed, «peer-to-peer electronic cash system». Since the publication of its white paper, on 31st of October 2008, Bitcoin has experienced a very rapid evolution. Many aspects of the protocol has changed in the years, permitting it to keep up with the exponential growth in terms of users, services and companies involved into it. The primary focus of the entire research centers on one of the fundamental pillars of the entire ecosystem: Bitcoin mining. More specifically, the thesis investigates the details of the approach that has characterized mining operations since Bitcoin’s early history: pooled mining. The introductory chapters of this thesis provide a comprehensive understanding of Bitcoin, its network composition, and the concept of Proof of Work.