If only OP invested in BTC 9y ago...he wouldn't even bother with mining now. Even now, I wonder why people are obsessed with mining all the time. There are times when just buying is better than mining!
Yes you can, with standard PC, but its 9 years ago
I think that each user individually selects for themselves the scope of activities. Because one likes to work with Bounty companies, and others to invest. And traders do not leave trading exchanges at all. for them it is both excitement and good profit.