This week, Block, Inc. (NYSE: XYZ) unveiled Proto Rig, a modular, long-term Bitcoin mining system, and Proto Fleet, a free, open-source management platform, marking a major step toward decentralizing both mining hardware and software.
The announcement from Core Scientific, which already operates Proto Rigs, marks Block’s entry into the competitive ASIC mining market through its Proto division following its first sales of Bitcoin mining chips. The Proto Rig replaces single-use hardware models with upgradeable infrastructure. The modular design allows operators to replace individual hash boards rather than entire units, transforming miners from 3-5 year assets into 10 year investments.
Thomas Templeton, Block’s head of hardware, criticized the aging hardware: “The machines break frequently, are difficult to repair, expensive, and time-consuming to upgrade.” The Proto Rig’s tool-free, on-site repair reduces downtime from “hours, days, or weeks to seconds,” while reducing upgrade costs by 15–20%. The air-cooled unit (390 mm W x 290 mm H x 500 mm D) can accommodate nine replaceable hash boards, delivering up to 819 terahash per second (TH/s) of throughput, or 91 TH/s per board, with an efficiency of 14.1 joules per terahash (J/TH).
It draws up to 12,000 watts from 208-240 V power supplies via three included 8-foot C20-C19 cables. Weighing in at 110 pounds (5.38 pounds per hash board), it fits into standard racks and is upgradeable with immersion cooling. With 1.5x the power density per rack foot of traditional miners, it makes the most of existing hardware layouts without costly upgrades. Backward compatibility with legacy infrastructure and the ability to hot-swap components minimize disruptions.
The system’s control board, power supplies (4,000 watts each), and fan modules are serviced on site. “We’re looking to change [mining hardware] and help decentralize it,” Templeton added. The team emphasized that the Proto Rig’s design is specifically designed to address the industry’s chronic problems: inefficient energy use, frequent downtime, and rapid hardware obsolescence.
Launched at the same time, Proto Fleet combines tools for scaling, diagnostics, monitoring, and maintenance into a single open-source platform. Templeton noted that Bitcoin mining software “has not kept up with the evolution of software in general,” making it difficult to operate. The free software is said to eliminate the need for disparate third-party tools, allowing miners of all sizes to optimize their workflows and maximize uptime.
The company noted that both products contribute to Block’s goal of decentralizing bitcoin mining. The Proto Rig’s accessible architecture invites broader developer participation, while the Proto Fleet’s open-source model democratizes governance. “An important part of Proto’s efforts is decentralizing mining,” the press release emphasized, adding that the software is free “for anyone to use.” The Proto Rig is actively mining at Core Scientific’s Dalton facility, serving as a working prototype. While the unit price remains undisclosed, Block sees the system as a long-term investment in infrastructure rather than a one-time use tool.
Source: cryptonews.net
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *