Block, the fintech-payments company led by Jack Dorsey, is making a big move into the bitcoin mining hardware market. The firm recently acquired a large quantity of bitcoin mining chips from Intel, which will allow it to bring mining machines to the market sooner than expected. The purchase will also help the company focus on developing its cutting-edge 3 nanometer chips.
According to Thomas Templeton, Block’s hardware lead, the first-party products will be available early next year. He also stated that the company’s aim is to improve the decentralization of the Bitcoin network. “When you dig into mining, the ASIC is at the center of mining,” he said.
The move by Block is significant because the mining manufacturing industry is currently dominated by two players: Bitmain and MicroBT. With the introduction of a new player like Block, the industry could become more decentralized and offer more opportunities for innovation.
In March, Block announced that it was working on a mining development kit that would allow other engineers to create products using Block’s chips. The company aims to create a do-it-yourself kit that will stimulate innovation in Bitcoin mining hardware. This could be useful for integrating Bitcoin mining into various use cases, such as heating solutions, off-grid mining, home mining, or intermittent power applications.
The acquisition of Bitcoin mining chips from Intel and the development of a mining development kit could have far-reaching implications for the crypto sector. With more players entering the market and new tools being developed, the sector could become more diverse and offer more opportunities for growth.
As the metaverse becomes more popular, the demand for crypto-related products and services is likely to increase. Companies like Block that are investing in new technologies and expanding their offerings could be well-positioned to capitalize on this trend. However, there are also risks associated with investing in the crypto sector, and investors should do their due diligence before making any decisions.