Mining Development Kit is heading to Beta

Today, we’re excited to announce the launch of our Mining Development Kit (MDK) beta program! As we begin to allocate a limited number of the first beta kits, we invite interested developers to submit their applications.

With this program, we hope to get feedback on early iterations of our mining kit and create new partnerships with innovative developers and businesses.

Historically, a lack of transparency and access to mining hardware and software has stifled the exploration of innovative mining applications and the decentralization of hashrate. The intent behind the MDK beta is to engage with mining innovators in a transparent, open, and collaborative manner that supports the development of novel use cases for bitcoin mining.

Each MDK unit will consist of three hashboards equipped with 100 5-nm BZM2 ASIC chips and a controller board loaded with our custom firmware. The system is expected to produce hash rates up to 110T, with energy efficiency ranging from 27-33J/T. It will also include an API for seamless integration with various existing miner management software solutions that should enhance the performance and usability of our hardware. Each hashboard is equipped with an embedded controller to allow more flexibility in controlling the ASICs. All the components are compatible with commonly available market options such as chassis, PSU, fans, and cables. Note that the MDK hardware is early prototype hardware, using third-party mining chips. Our eventual production mining system will use our internally developed three-nanometer (3-nm) mining chip, which is expected to result in a much more performant system.

Mining Development Kit engineers working in the lab in Oakland, CA

Participants in the beta will receive our MDK hardware and software free of charge. We'll collaborate closely with beta participants to gather in-field feedback and identify the path forward for the next generation of our kit. The beta application deadline is July 15, 2024, and we’re looking for participants with a range of ideas so we can learn from this program and build a product that works for everyone. As our first run of kits is limited, we encourage teams to apply early. More detailed information can be found in the FAQ section at the bottom of this post.

We look forward to the opportunity to work with and learn from the developer community, as well as to share case studies of the most interesting and successful projects. Stay tuned for more updates on the MDK and the progress of our beta program in the coming months.

Mining Development Kit (MDK) Beta FAQs:

Who is eligible to apply for the program?

• Individual developers and developer teams who are interested in building novel Bitcoin mining applications with an MDK beta hardware and software.

What are the key dates for the application process?

• Applications are open from May 7, 2024, and must be submitted by July 15, 2024 9am PST. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and we will begin reaching out to participants between June 1 and August 31, 2024.

What does the MDK Beta program offer?

• Participants will receive MDK hardware and software at no cost, shipping expenses included. However, participants may be responsible for any local duties, which can vary depending on the specific regulations of each country. Please also note that technical support will be limited and prioritized mainly for significant issues directly related to our hardware.

What components are included in the beta version of the MDK?

• Each MDK unit in our Beta will consist of three hashboards equipped with 100 Intel 5nm BZM2 ASIC chips and a single controller board loaded with our custom firmware. The system is expected to produce hash rates up to 110T, with energy efficiency ranging from 27-33J/T. It will also include a fully developed API.

What is required from participants during the program?

• Participants are expected to actively develop their projects using the MDK and provide regular feedback throughout the process regarding their experience with the hardware and software components. They should be prepared to communicate with our team via email, share logs and other reports, and possibly participate in video calls. Additionally, participants agree to allow us to share details of their projects publicly and may have their projects featured in case studies.

What happens after the Beta Program ends?

• We aim to leverage valuable insights and feedback from this program to inform future versions of the MDK in addition to sharing outcomes and case studies publicly to fuel further innovation within the mining community. Participants are welcome to keep their MDK hardware after the program ends, but it is not eligible for resale. Support for the hardware components of the MDK will end at the end of the beta program. However, participants may have future opportunities to access our next-generation software releases and potentially purchase our newer generation products including the ASIC chips.