Bitcoin Mining went this way: CPU->GPU->FPGA->ASIC. What's next?
197 sats \ 9 comments \ @nullama 15 Aug 2023 bitcoin
I'm curious to know what you think would be the next type of Bitcoin miner in the future.
Would it be somehow quantum computing miners? I don't think SHA-256 is particularly great for quantum computers...
What other type of technology could be used in the future that in theory would create a more efficient Bitcoin miner than today's best performant ASICs?
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100 sats \ 0 replies \ @anon 15 Aug 2023
Miner powered by dyson spheres
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20 sats \ 2 replies \ @kristapsk 15 Aug 2023
It's final step. ASIC ("application specific integrated circuit") is most effective way of doing things. What you could get in future is just more effective ASICs.
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0 sats \ 1 reply \ @nullama OP 15 Aug 2023
An ASIC is an integrated circuit.
There might be a new type of technology in the future that makes integrated circuits obsolete
For example, right now there are 3DICs, which is a new type of IC, and I don't think most Bitcoin miner ASICs are 3DICs at the moment.
Then in the future there could be a new type of invention that is even more efficient than ICs.
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10 sats \ 0 replies \ @kristapsk 15 Aug 2023
Ok, it's final step for pure digital electronics.
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10 sats \ 0 replies \ @DarthCoin 15 Aug 2023
I will put it in a different way: what will happen if we will have a form of free electricity?
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Muuny 15 Aug 2023
my guess is you also believe in Moore's Law. there aren't any predetermined eureka moments. the only thing that is stable is when people decide to only release things in a specific way, to maximize profits.
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0 sats \ 2 replies \ @beorange 15 Aug 2023
It could come back to CPUs again, using a ASIC resistant algorithm.
It is a much more democratic and decentralized approach. A return to the roots.
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0 sats \ 1 reply \ @nullama OP 15 Aug 2023
What are some ASIC resistant algorithms?
Any algorithm that I can think of that can be executed on a CPU architecture would probably be more efficient when run on an ASIC, because it's built specifically for that algorithm.
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @beorange 15 Aug 2023
Take a look at Monero. They were able to achieve the outcome of CPUs being the best choice for mining.
While the previous algorithm (Cryptonight) had the same purpose, ASICs eventually started to appear. However, a few years ago they changed the algorithm to RandomX, and since then, there are no signs of ASICs being used. CPUs are the best choice to mine Monero.
Extra: This answer might also be helpful to get a picture of how it works.
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