CryptoKashyap comparison guide · Updated October 2026
QuantumCloud’s appeal is easy to understand: install a Windows program, use a compatible GPU, collect Q-Coin rewards, and look for a way to exchange those rewards. Its simple, one-click approach is attractive for people who do not want to configure mining software. But no single reward app is the right fit for every computer, electricity rate, country, or goal.
This guide compares seven QuantumCloud alternatives across different categories: GPU mining marketplaces, automated mining apps, reward platforms that may use compute workloads, and more hands-on mining software. They are not all direct substitutes. Some pay cryptocurrency, some provide an internal balance or store credit, and some are tools that require you to choose a pool or wallet yourself.
Important: This is a research-based comparison, not a promise of profit or a claim that CryptoKashyap tested every application on a live mining rig. We do not guarantee that any service will approve an account, maintain a particular reward rate, or process a withdrawal. Product features, supported regions, fees and minimums can change.
Quick comparison: 7 QuantumCloud alternatives
| Alternative | Best suited to | Reward model | Setup level | Main thing to verify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. NiceHash | GPU/ASIC owners who want a mining marketplace | Marketplace-based mining rewards, typically accounted for in BTC | Easy to moderate | Current marketplace/mining fees, supported hardware, payout thresholds and net electricity economics |
| 2. Salad | Windows PC owners open to compute jobs and reward balance | Salad Balance from available workloads, potentially including crypto mining | Easy | Workload availability, reward-store region, GPU eligibility and electricity cost |
| 3. Kryptex | Users who want automated mining and multiple withdrawal routes | Mining-based account balance and supported withdrawals | Easy to moderate | Current fees, payout methods/minimums, software authenticity and net profit |
| 4. unMineable | Users seeking a selected supported coin paid from mining activity | Supported mining algorithm with reward conversion/accounting | Moderate | Supported coins, minimums, fee schedule, wallet address and current network conditions |
| 5. HiveOS + a mining pool | Dedicated rigs and users who want more control | Pool-defined crypto payouts | Moderate to advanced | OS/support costs, pool fees, minimum payout, hardware compatibility and security |
| 6. A miner such as GMiner or lolMiner | Experienced users who understand pools and wallets | Pool payouts for supported algorithms/coins | Advanced | Authentic download source, algorithm compatibility, pool terms and miner fee |
| 7. Direct pool mining with a reputable pool | Users who want a transparent pool/wallet relationship | Pool pays the supported coin under its payout method | Moderate to advanced | Pool reliability, payout method, fee, minimum, geographic access and coin profitability |
These are categories and starting points, not a universal ranking. A more technical option is not automatically safer or more profitable. Always confirm current details on the official provider website.
On this page
- Why look for a QuantumCloud alternative?
- How to compare apps fairly
- 1. NiceHash
- 2. Salad
- 3. Kryptex
- 4. unMineable
- 5. HiveOS and a mining pool
- 6. Dedicated mining software
- 7. Direct pool mining
- Profitability: calculate electricity and fees
- Which option fits your goal?
- US, UK, Canada and Australia considerations
- Safety checklist before installing
- QuantumCloud versus alternatives
- FAQs
- Sources and methodology
Why look for a QuantumCloud alternative?
QuantumCloud is different from a conventional cloud-mining contract. Its official website describes a Windows GPU program that awards Q-Coin based on factors such as hardware performance and usage time. The official FAQ lists region-dependent exchange options, including PayPal and selected gift-card or game-credit choices. That makes the reward experience straightforward in concept, although available options can vary by location and account.
There are several sensible reasons to compare other services:
- You want a different reward type. You may prefer a crypto wallet payout instead of a platform-issued points balance, or you may prefer redeemable store credit over crypto.
- You want more visibility into the process. A mining marketplace or pool dashboard may show algorithm, hashrate, balance and payout details, though you still need to understand how the numbers are calculated.
- You want to use more of your hardware. Some apps offer more settings or support different hardware, but extra control also means more responsibility.
- You want to compare net value. An attractive displayed reward is not the same as profit after electricity, fees, taxes and wear on the PC.
- You want fewer restrictions. Different providers support different countries, GPUs, coins and redemption options. Availability should be checked before investing time or money.
How to compare alternatives without being misled
A good comparison starts with your actual computer and costs, not a headline earnings figure. Before you install an app, write down your GPU model, approximate wall-power use, electricity rate, how many hours the computer can run, and whether you need cash, cryptocurrency, or a specific reward.
Five questions worth answering first
- What does the app actually do? Mining cryptocurrency, renting out compute capacity and crediting points are different models. A company may combine more than one workload.
- What is the reward denominated in? Is it a crypto asset, an internal account balance, a points system, or a voucher? If it is internal points, find the conversion and expiry terms.
- What can you withdraw or redeem in your country? The provider may list several methods globally but only a subset for your account region.
- What costs reduce the reward? Consider pool/platform fees, withdrawal fees, exchange spreads, electricity, cooling and potential hardware depreciation.
- Can you verify the software and support channel? Download only from the official site, inspect publisher details, and avoid direct messages that ask for wallet seeds or remote access.
For QuantumCloud-specific details, read our companion guides: QuantumCloud withdrawal guide and Is QuantumCloud legit? Evidence, safety and risks. Those articles discuss Q-Coin and withdrawal questions separately so this comparison can focus on alternatives.
1. NiceHash: a managed marketplace for mining power
Official starting point: NiceHash mining.
Why it may appeal to a QuantumCloud user
- It is designed around mining hardware and algorithms rather than only a single branded points unit.
- It provides mining-related dashboards and a profitability calculator, which can help users compare algorithm estimates with their own device.
- It has options for GPU and ASIC users, so it may suit people who want to move beyond a one-click reward interface.
Trade-offs to understand
- Market rates and profitability change. A calculator estimate is not a guaranteed future return.
- Fees, withdrawal conditions and supported methods depend on the current service rules. Read the official fee and payout pages before choosing it.
- Mining uses electricity and creates heat. A gaming GPU that earns a gross reward may still lose money after the power bill.
- Marketplace-based systems are not identical to direct mining a coin. Understand what you are selling, how the reward is calculated and what balance is credited.
Good fit if: you want a more mining-focused environment and are willing to learn about hashrate, algorithms, fees and payout rules. Less suitable if: you want no setup, no monitoring and a guaranteed positive return.
2. Salad: compute workloads and a reward balance
Official sources: Salad website, how Salad selects coins to mine, and cryptomining job requirements.
Potential advantages
- Its reward model is not limited to a single crypto mining algorithm; the app may use available compatible workloads.
- Its support documentation discusses GPU compatibility, workload selection and troubleshooting.
- Rewards may be redeemed through the platform’s store, subject to current availability and regional restrictions.
What to check before using it
- Hardware eligibility: check the current official requirements for your GPU, operating system and drivers. Requirements can change.
- Store region: verify that the rewards you actually want are redeemable in your country and that any digital code is region-compatible.
- Power use: Salad’s own documentation notes that electricity cost and lower-end hardware can make workloads inefficient. Measure your device rather than assuming a displayed estimate is net profit.
- Privacy and workload: understand what software runs, what permissions it requires, and what the provider’s documentation says about compute jobs.
Good fit if: you like the idea of a managed PC app with a platform balance and potentially varied workloads. Less suitable if: you require direct crypto withdrawals or a specific coin and cannot confirm those features under current terms.
3. Kryptex: automated mining and account-based payouts
Official starting point: Kryptex official website.
Why compare it?
- It is oriented toward automated mining rather than a branded Q-Coin points program.
- It offers tools and an interface intended to simplify mining for users who do not want to configure every component manually.
- The provider lists supported payout routes on its website; the specific options available to you should be checked before you begin.
Risks and limits
- Any advertised earning figure is dependent on hardware, network difficulty, market prices, mining algorithm and service fees.
- Verify the current minimum payout, fee and identity/account requirements before expecting to withdraw.
- Mining software can trigger antivirus warnings because of its function. Do not blindly disable security protection. Verify the installer source, publisher, file integrity where available and the provider’s explanation.
- Do not assume the program will be profitable on a laptop or on a GPU with high electricity costs.
Good fit if: you want an automated mining interface and have checked that its payout methods work for your location. Less suitable if: you do not want mining-related power use, software monitoring or price volatility.
4. unMineable: mine supported algorithms and receive a selected reward coin
Official sources: supported coins and official FAQ.
Advantages
- The reward target can be more explicit than a closed points balance, when the selected coin and payout method are supported.
- The FAQ and coin list give users a starting place to check algorithms, requirements and supported assets.
- It can be a useful comparison for users who understand the relationship between mining one algorithm and receiving a different supported reward asset.
Things that are easy to misunderstand
- Reward coin is not the same as mined coin. Conversion and accounting can affect the final amount received.
- Minimums matter. A small balance may take time to reach the withdrawal threshold, and network fees can affect the practical value of a small payout.
- Wallet accuracy matters. A wrong address or unsupported network can make funds difficult or impossible to recover. Confirm the asset and network before sending.
- Mining returns fluctuate. A calculator or recent rate is a snapshot, not a promise.
Good fit if: you understand mining pools and want a supported reward coin. Less suitable if: you want an entirely hands-off experience or do not understand wallet/network selection.
5. HiveOS with a mining pool: more control for dedicated rigs
Official starting point: Hiveon / HiveOS. Confirm the current supported devices, pricing and service terms on its official pages.
What you gain
- More visibility and control over a rig than a one-click points application may provide.
- Centralized monitoring and configuration tools for compatible mining devices.
- The ability to choose a pool and payout asset based on the pool’s supported setup.
What you take on
- More setup, troubleshooting and ongoing monitoring.
- Additional dependence on configuration accuracy: wallet address, pool URL, worker settings, algorithm and miner parameters must match.
- Potential OS, management or pool costs depending on your setup and provider terms.
- More responsibility for system security and safe remote administration.
Good fit if: you have a dedicated rig or want more control. Less suitable if: you are using a family laptop or want a simple install-and-forget application.
6. Dedicated mining software: GMiner, lolMiner and similar tools
Dedicated miners are not complete rewards platforms. They perform supported mining work and connect to a pool or other configured endpoint. The pool’s rules usually govern balance accounting and payout; the miner’s supported algorithms, developer fee, operating system and GPU compatibility are separate considerations.
Examples in the mining ecosystem include GMiner and lolMiner. Their suitability depends on the algorithm and hardware you intend to use, and software support changes over time. Obtain downloads only from a source you can authenticate as official. Avoid repackaged installers, video descriptions with shortened links, unofficial mirrors, and files sent through direct messages.
When this route makes sense
- You know which coin or algorithm you intend to mine.
- You can read pool instructions and understand wallet/worker configuration.
- You want to compare performance and control settings rather than rely on a closed reward interface.
- You can monitor temperature, power, driver compatibility and software updates.
When it does not
If you are unfamiliar with mining configuration, command-line arguments, pools or wallet addresses, dedicated software can introduce avoidable mistakes. Start with official documentation and small, reversible tests. Never enter a seed phrase into a mining app or send it to support. A legitimate mining configuration should not need your wallet recovery phrase.
7. Direct pool mining: a clearer separation between miner and payout
With direct pool mining, you choose a compatible miner, connect it to a pool that supports the algorithm/coin, and configure the wallet address or account format required by that pool. The pool’s payout method may be proportional, PPS, PPLNS or another model; the details affect variance, fees and when rewards become withdrawable. Do not select a pool solely because a third-party ranking says it is “best.”
Advantages
- You can review the pool’s own payout documentation and fee structure.
- The reward asset and destination may be more transparent than a platform-issued point balance, depending on the pool setup.
- You can change compatible miners or pools if you understand the technical requirements.
Trade-offs
- Pool payouts are not guaranteed income. Hashrate, network difficulty, block rewards, fees, pool luck and market price all matter.
- Some pools impose minimum payout thresholds, and small balances can remain unpaid until those conditions are met.
- A pool’s reported hashrate or estimated earnings are not the same as money already received in your wallet.
- You must protect your wallet and configure the correct address and network.
Before committing a GPU to a pool, review the pool’s official fee, payout method, minimum payout, supported algorithm and service availability for your location. If these details are hard to find, that is a reason to pause and investigate.
Profitability: calculate electricity and fees before choosing
Every alternative should pass the same test: estimate the value you can actually redeem, then subtract the costs you incur to earn it. This is particularly important when comparing a cash-equivalent payout with Q-Coin, Salad Balance or gift cards. The displayed reward number may not represent a dollar you can withdraw today.
A simple electricity estimate
Electricity cost per day = device power draw in watts ÷ 1,000 × hours running per day × electricity price per kWh.
Example: a PC drawing an additional 250 watts for 8 hours per day uses 0.25 kW × 8 = 2 kWh per day. At an illustrative electricity rate of $0.20/kWh, that is $0.40 per day, or about $12 over 30 days. This is an example only, not a statement about your local electricity tariff or any app’s power use.
Measure the actual additional draw if possible. Total PC draw at the wall can be higher than GPU board power because the CPU, fans, power-supply losses and other components also consume energy.
Use net value, not gross rewards
A practical formula is:
Estimated net value = redeemable reward value − electricity − platform/miner/pool fees − withdrawal or conversion fees − other incremental costs.
For a points program, first establish the current conversion rate and whether your account can redeem the reward. For a crypto payout, use a realistic estimate and subtract the fees involved in moving or converting the asset. If the net result is negative, using a GPU for mining may be a paid hobby rather than an income source—and that may still be acceptable if you knowingly choose it.
Remember hardware and opportunity costs
- Continuous load can add heat, fan noise and dust, and may increase the need for maintenance.
- Using a GPU for mining means it is not available for gaming or other work at that time.
- Heat and power limits can cause throttling or instability if a system is poorly ventilated.
- Buying a new GPU solely to mine introduces purchase cost and resale-value uncertainty.
- Taxes may apply to rewards or redemptions depending on your country and circumstances. Keep records and consult local guidance if needed.
Which alternative fits your goal?
“I want the easiest possible PC app.”
Compare the current onboarding, supported hardware and reward redemption rules for Salad, Kryptex and NiceHash. Ease of setup is only one factor; verify the exact reward and payout model before leaving an app running.
“I want a cryptocurrency payout rather than points.”
Look closely at NiceHash, Kryptex, unMineable or direct pool mining. Confirm the exact asset, network, minimum payout and fees. A service may support crypto withdrawals overall but not every asset or method in every region.
“I want a specific coin.”
Check whether unMineable or a direct pool supports your target coin or a compatible mining algorithm. Verify the conversion model if you are not directly mining the reward asset.
“I have several GPUs or a dedicated rig.”
A managed rig setup such as HiveOS paired with a pool may offer more monitoring and configuration control. The trade-off is a higher technical burden and more components to secure.
“I just want a few gift cards.”
A platform balance may be convenient if the exact store, denomination and country are supported. Check whether codes are region-locked, whether refunds are possible, and whether the reward remains useful to you. Do not assume a gift-card balance is equivalent to cash.
“I want guaranteed passive income.”
None of these options can responsibly be treated as guaranteed income. Mining and compute rewards depend on hardware, workload availability, network and market conditions, electricity and service rules. If a promotion promises fixed returns without meaningful conditions, treat that as a warning sign.
US, UK, Canada and Australia: check local availability first
CryptoKashyap’s intended audience includes readers in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. Do not assume a provider’s global marketing page means that every payout option is available in all four markets.
| Before installing | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| United States | Whether the service accepts your state/region, which withdrawal or store options are available, and what tax records the platform provides. |
| United Kingdom | Supported account region, payout provider access, gift-card country restrictions and relevant tax-record information. |
| Canada | Province/account eligibility, currency conversion, payout fees and gift-card redemption restrictions. |
| Australia | Supported payout methods, local gift-card availability, conversion costs and how rewards should be recorded for tax purposes. |
These are checks, not claims that any particular service is available or unavailable in a given country. Log in only through the official website or app and inspect the methods shown for your own region. If a provider cannot clearly explain how your account region affects redemption, ask support before accumulating a balance.
Safety checklist before installing any mining or rewards app
- Use the official download page. Avoid search ads, copied sites, shortened URLs and direct-message attachments.
- Verify the publisher. Check the installer’s digital signature and publisher details where available. A signature alone is not proof that a program is suitable, but an unexpected publisher is a reason to stop.
- Keep Windows and drivers updated. Download GPU drivers from the GPU manufacturer or computer maker’s official support site.
- Do not hand over your seed phrase. No support agent needs a wallet recovery phrase to check a payout.
- Be careful with remote access. Do not give strangers remote-control access to your PC or let them “fix” a withdrawal by taking over your account.
- Review permissions and processes. Understand what runs at startup, what uses the GPU, and how to pause or uninstall the app.
- Watch temperature and power draw. Start with a short supervised run and stop if temperatures, noise or stability are concerning.
- Check payout rules first. Save a copy of minimums, fees, expiry dates, supported methods and region conditions as they appear when you sign up.
- Never pay a stranger to release a withdrawal. If a provider asks for an unexpected fee, tax deposit or wallet transfer, verify the demand through official support and the written terms before doing anything.
- Keep records. Save dated balance screenshots, settings, support tickets and transaction IDs. Never publish account IDs, email addresses or personal documents publicly.
Crypto-mining applications can sometimes be flagged by antivirus tools because of the functionality they use. That does not automatically mean a file is malicious, but neither should a warning be dismissed simply because a provider says it is a false positive. Confirm the source, signature and documentation; do not disable protection globally or add broad exclusions without understanding the risk.
QuantumCloud versus the alternatives: the key difference
| Question | QuantumCloud | Alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Reward unit | Q-Coin, a platform-issued points/reward unit according to its official site | Varies: cryptocurrency balance, platform balance, or pool-accounted reward |
| Ease of setup | Promoted as a one-click Windows GPU experience | Ranges from simple managed apps to advanced pool/miner configuration |
| Withdrawal method | Official FAQ says options vary by region and lists PayPal and selected gift-card/game-credit methods | Depends on provider, country, asset, account eligibility and current rules |
| Transparency of mining path | Users should examine what is disclosed about the reward model and current operating terms | Some tools expose more mining/pool details; other reward apps still abstract the underlying workload |
| Potential net return | Variable; must account for hardware, time, power and redemption terms | Also variable; market, network, fees and workload availability remain important |
| Best next step | Confirm region-specific withdrawal terms and calculate the real cost | Compare the exact payout asset, fees, hardware support and electricity economics |
QuantumCloud may appeal to someone who values a straightforward interface and platform-based reward redemption. An alternative may suit someone who wants a different reward asset, more visibility into mining, or more control over a pool. Neither design automatically makes one service better for everyone.
For the official QuantumCloud model, read the QuantumCloud homepage and official FAQ. The FAQ says Q-Coin validity is three years, but users should check their account and current terms for their own balance and any changes. The site also says actual earnings vary by hardware, network, usage time and other factors.
Historical reporting about the ASUS/QuantumCloud partnership dates to 2018 and is useful context, not proof of present-day payout performance. A 2021 Traditional Chinese community thread contains mixed discussion and individual user claims; it is anecdotal, old and not representative of current users. Neither source should be treated as a current independent audit.
Final verdict: choose the model, not the headline
There is no universal winner among QuantumCloud alternatives. NiceHash is worth comparing if you want a mining marketplace; Salad if you want a managed app that can offer different compute workloads and a reward balance; Kryptex if you want automated mining with account-based payout options; and unMineable if you want to examine a supported reward coin that may be accounted for through a different mining algorithm. HiveOS, dedicated miner software and direct pools are more hands-on routes for people who value control and can manage the technical setup.
Before committing, verify the official download, supported hardware, exact payout or redemption terms, region availability and fees. Then estimate electricity use using your own measured power draw and local rate. If you cannot confirm the reward’s real redemption value or the service’s conditions, do not invest money or run your GPU for long periods on assumptions alone.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is the best QuantumCloud alternative?
It depends on your goal. NiceHash is worth comparing for marketplace-based mining, Salad for a managed app with different workloads and platform balance, Kryptex for automated mining, and unMineable for supported reward-coin options. More technical users can compare HiveOS or direct pool mining. No option is best for every GPU or electricity rate.
2. Which alternative is easiest for beginners?
Managed apps such as Salad, Kryptex or NiceHash may reduce configuration work, but each has its own hardware requirements, payout model and security considerations. Read the current official onboarding and withdrawal documentation before leaving software running.
3. Is NiceHash the same as QuantumCloud?
No. QuantumCloud describes Q-Coin rewards from its Windows GPU program. NiceHash operates a mining marketplace and supports mining tools for compatible hardware. Their reward accounting and user responsibilities differ, so compare the official terms rather than treating them as identical services.
4. Does Salad pay cryptocurrency?
Salad’s main user-facing reward model is Salad Balance, and its app can offer different workloads, including crypto mining in supported circumstances. Do not assume that a Salad Balance reward is a direct cryptocurrency withdrawal. Check the current official redemption options for your region.
5. Can unMineable pay a coin I did not directly mine?
Its model allows supported reward coins to be accounted for through supported mining algorithms and conversion processes. The available coin list, minimums and fees can change. Check the official coin list and FAQ and verify the wallet address and network before using it.
6. Can I make guaranteed passive income from GPU mining?
No provider can responsibly guarantee that your net earnings will be positive. Rewards depend on hardware, market and network conditions, workload availability, fees, electricity and account rules. Treat fixed-return promises as a warning sign.
7. Which alternative is best for an older GPU?
There is no universal answer. Check each provider’s current supported GPU list and minimum software requirements. Even if the GPU is technically supported, electricity use, performance and the redemption value may make it uneconomical.
8. Can I run two mining reward apps at once?
Running multiple GPU-heavy apps at the same time can make them compete for compute resources, increase power draw and heat, and reduce stability. Check each provider’s terms and monitor system behavior. Avoid simultaneous workloads unless you understand how they interact and can measure the result.
9. Are mining apps safe if antivirus flags them?
A detection can be a false positive, but you should not assume that. Verify the official download source, publisher signature and provider documentation. Avoid turning off security protection globally or installing a file from an unofficial mirror just because a video recommends it.
10. What should I check before a first withdrawal?
Confirm the current minimum, available payment methods, region eligibility, fees, identity requirements, expiration terms and expected processing steps. Use the official account interface and support channel, and keep records of your balance and request. Never share a wallet seed phrase or send funds to a stranger to “unlock” a payout.
11. Are these alternatives available in the US, UK, Canada and Australia?
Availability and redemption methods can vary by country, state or province, account status and provider terms. Check the official supported-country information and the options displayed for your own account before accumulating a balance.
12. Should I buy a new GPU just for mining?
Do not decide from an earnings screenshot. Include purchase price, electricity, fees, cooling, resale uncertainty and changing reward rates. A new GPU can fail to recover its cost, and estimates are not guaranteed returns.
13. Do I need a crypto wallet for every alternative?
No. Some services use an internal account balance or store redemption, while others require a wallet address for crypto payouts. Follow the official setup guide for the specific provider and never enter a recovery phrase into a reward app.
14. What if a platform delays my withdrawal?
Check the written terms, account verification status, minimum balance, selected payment method and any official status notices. Contact support through the provider’s official website and retain a ticket number. Do not pay an unrelated third party or trust a direct message claiming it can release funds.
15. Does CryptoKashyap guarantee that any alternative will pay?
No. This article compares publicly described models and documentation; it does not guarantee account approval, reward amounts or withdrawal processing. The platform controls eligibility and processing under its own terms. Readers should verify the current rules and make their own decisions.
Sources and methodology
This guide was prepared from official product pages and support documentation, alongside historical reporting and community discussion where relevant. Official pages describe what a provider says its product does; they are not independent proof of profitability or successful payouts. Features and terms may change after publication, so readers should revisit official sources before installing or depositing money.
- NiceHash — mining and marketplace information
- Salad — official website
- Salad Support — mining selection logic and efficiency considerations
- Salad Support — cryptomining job requirements
- Kryptex — official website and product information
- unMineable — supported coins
- unMineable — official FAQ
- Hiveon — official website
- QuantumCloud — official product site
- QuantumCloud — official FAQ and regional withdrawal information
- CDRInfo — historical coverage of the ASUS/QuantumCloud partnership (2018)
- PTT DigiCurrency — historical community discussion (2021; anecdotal, not representative)
Editorial note: We have not treated automated trust scores, individual testimonials or old forum posts as proof of present-day performance. We do not claim to have personally mined with, signed up for, or completed withdrawals from every service discussed. Product descriptions and comparisons are based on the linked documentation, and readers should independently verify current terms.
Disclosure: CryptoKashyap does not promote or recommend financial transactions with the services listed. This content is for general information only and is not financial, tax or legal advice. You are responsible for checking local rules, official terms, costs and risks before making a decision. Rewards and withdrawals are subject to each provider’s eligibility rules, redemption options, processing systems and operational decisions; no payout is guaranteed.