Block, a payments startup formerly known as Square, is advancing its foray into the cryptocurrency mining sector and may eventually create a “mining development kit.”
The international technology company created by Jack Dorsey was considering its most recent vision for boosting its Bitcoin mining objectives, according to a blog post from March 7. Naoise Irwin, senior product lead for mining hardware, sent out an email requesting comments on the idea.
If implemented, the mining development kit (MDK) will offer developers a “suite of tools” with the goal of improving the “accessibility and openness” of Bitcoin mining.
According to Block, the kit would include a number of parts, such as a “industrial-grade Bitcoin mining “hashboard” compatible with the company’s custom-built control board and other controllers like the Raspberry Pi.
In addition, a specially created controller board created to function with the “hashboard” will be present.
The company sought consumer feedback on characteristics including power needs, connectivity specifications, and price for the suggested gear. A web front-end, software API, and open-source firmware would also be available, “enabling developers to tweak the essential performance aspects of the hashboard,” it was noted.
Block requested more comments on the software, resources, and support materials. The MDK’s goal is to give programmers a set of tools that will enable creativity and innovation in Bitcoin mining gear. The strategy copies the Block subsidy Spiral initiatives for the Lightning Development Kit and Bitcoin Developer Kit.
Dorsey outlined plans for an open-source Bitcoin mining infrastructure for organizations and people in October 2021. Once those designs were approved in January 2022, construction got under way.
Irwin concluded the blog post by saying more information on the mining hardware program will be released in the upcoming weeks and months. Since that time, “we have been heads down building a team to explore our mining hardware strategy, and have kicked off the long process of developing our own Bitcoin mining semiconductor chips (ASICs)”.
