Argo Blockchain, Block Inc., and Hive Blockchain Technologies have teamed GRIID Infrastructure as the foremost clients to cooperate with the Intel Blockscale application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The latest framework will be capable of providing up to 580 GH/s of hash rate for mega cryptocurrency mining initiatives.
Intel has released details on their newest Blockscale ASIC today. This ASIC will provide users with energy-efficient hashing for proof-of-work (Pow) consensus grids after many years of intensive research.
According to Balaji Kanigicherla, vice president and general manager of Custom Compute in the Accelerated Computing Systems and Graphics Group, Intel “The buzz about blockchain technology is growing. It enables decentralized and distributed computing, allowing for business innovations to emerge. Intel is developing technologies that can provide an appropriate mix of hashing performance and energy efficiency independent of a customer’s operating environment to enable this new age computing. Because of Intel’s decades of research and development in encryption, hashing algorithms, and ultra-low voltage circuits, blockchain applications can increase their computational capacity without sacrificing sustainable growth.”
Due to robustness and the capacity to grow without sacrificing decentralization, the compute need for blockchains using proof-of-work (PoW) consensus techniques is fast increasing. This growing pool of computer power necessitates latest technologies capable of delivering the requisite capacity in a highly energy-efficient manner while also remaining adequately robust to avoid prolonged e-waste scenarios.
The Intel Blockscale ASIC will offer the power efficiency and computational capacity necessary to achieve scalability and sustainable development for proof-of-work (PoW) algorithms compatible with ASIC-based platforms and SHA-256 hashing. Intel will be able to provide it in large quantities without jeopardizing its supply of fresh CPUs and GPUs.
Jose Rios, general manager of Blockchain and Business Solutions in the Accelerated Computing Systems and Graphics Group, Intel, said “Intel is dedicated to responsibly developing blockchain technology, and we’re delighted to engage with and offer solutions to organizations working to build a more viable cryptocurrency environment throughout the world. In the next years, the Intel Blockscale ASIC will play an important part in assisting bitcoin mining firms in achieving both sustainable development and hash rate increasing goals.”
The Intel Blockscale ASIC has the following main aspects:
- Dedicated Secure Hash Algorithm-256 (SHA-256) ASIC processor.
- Up to 580 GH/s hash rate operating and 26 J/TH power efficiency.
- On-chip temperature- and voltage-sensing capabilities.
- Support for up to 256 integrated circuits per chain.
- Reference hardware design and software stack to jump-start customers’ system development.
Intel Blockscale ASIC customers will begin receiving shipments in 3Q22. Intel will work with and provide prospective clients that share the company’s environmental objectives starting next year onward.