Block, the payments company originally known as Square, is pushing further into the cryptocurrency mining industry with plans to possibly construct a “mining development kit.” A recent blog post has revealed that the technology firm has been giving consideration to its latest plan for moving forward within the Bitcoin mining industry.
Naoise Irwin, head of mining hardware, has requested that opinions on the concept be provided to the firm via email. The proposed mining development kit, should the plan be moved forward, the kit will provide a full “suite of tools” for developers to use with the goal being to increase “accessibility and openness” when mining Bitcoin.
Block revealed that the kit would provide several different elements. For example, an “industrial-grade Bitcoin mining hashboard” that is designed to work with the company’s customized control board. It will also work with third-party controllers, including Raspberry Pi.
In addition, the kit will include a custom controller board built to work together with the “hashboard.” The company requested to know which features users are interested in seeing on the planned hardware. For example, energy requirements, desired connections, and suggested cost.
Open-source firmware will also be included in the form of a software API and a web-linked front-end, “allowing developers to modify the key performance parameters of the hashboard.” Block has also requested feedback for additional elements such as software, reference materials, and support documents:
“The intention behind the MDK is to provide developers with a suite of tools to help unlock creativity and innovation in Bitcoin mining hardware.”
The plan incorporates many of the elements of the Bitcoin Developer and Lightning Developer Kits that were developed by Spiral, a subsidy of Block. In late 2021, company owner Jack Dorsey revealed plans for the creation of an open-source mining system for both businesses and individuals. After those plans were confirmed in early 2022, development commenced.
Irwin reported that 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).” He wrapped up the post by announcing that additional updates on its Bitcoin mining hardware program are forthcoming and will be provided in the coming weeks and months.