Block: An update on our bitcoin mining ASIC program \ stacker news ~bitcoin

Block: An update on our bitcoin mining ASIC program www.mining.build/update-on-our-bitcoin-mining-asic-program/

816 sats \ 5 comments \ @kr 28 Apr 2023 bitcoin

360 sats \ 2 replies \ @gnilma 28 Apr 2023

Nice! Glad that Block continues to pursue development of their ASIC program. Even better is that they are picking up the slack left over and abandoned by Intel.

However, as we were planning this tape out, we learned of an opportunity to acquire a large volume of bitcoin mining ASICs from Intel, and just completed a purchase agreement with Intel. This immediate access to production ASICs accelerates our mining system development, enabling us to get to market more quickly. Additionally, we can now focus our design team exclusively on cutting edge three nanometer ASIC development.

Now that they are focusing on 3nm development, can't wait to see what their new ASIC will be capable of. More decentralization and more competition, gogo!

171 sats \ 1 reply \ @ursuscamp 28 Apr 2023

I was curious about this paragraph, myself. Intel just announced they were quitting ASICs. Does that mean that Block is just buying whatever Intel made that they have unsold, and that's it? Or will they continue manufacturing the ASICs for Block?

244 sats \ 0 replies \ @gnilma 28 Apr 2023

From my understanding and what I have read online, Block is just going to to buy whatever Intel has in the works. I'm not even sure if Intel had already manufactured any ASICs yet. Probably just buying designs, masks, or whatever Intel has on hand that will shorten their 5nm ASIC development process. Like what they said in the article, this will put Block on the map in the 5nm ASIC world much faster; meanwhile they can focus on developing the next gen 3nm ASICs.

I don't think Intel will continue to manufacture ASICs on their own, as they made it clear they've ditched the program. But if Block, as a customer, pays Intel's foundry services to fabricate more ASICs chips, I don't see why wouldn't Intel make them (provided that they have the capacity to take the job).

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @tldr_dead 28 Apr 2023

Block, a subsidiary of payments company Square, has announced that it has completed the design of a high-performing bitcoin mining application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) using five-nanometre semiconductor technology. The company's initial plan had been to conduct a full tape out of this design this quarter, but, pending regulatory approval, it has instead acquired a large volume of bitcoin mining ASICs from Intel, which it says will accelerate its system development and enable it to get to market more quickly. As a result, the company can now focus its design team on cutting-edge, three-nanometre ASIC development.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @squatopia 28 Apr 2023

@tldr