Chip Renaissance: 256,000 Intel ASICs for Open Innovation in Mining
An Unexpected Gift from Block Inc.: A Large-Scale Delivery for the Community
In early September 2025, the non-profit organization 256 Foundation announced it had received 256,000 ASIC Intel BZM2 chips from the Bonanza Mine line from Proto, a division of Block, Inc., owned by Jack Dorsey. These chips, previously considered obsolete after the termination of the Intel Blockscale program in 2023, provide a cumulative hash rate of about 76 PH/s with energy efficiency of approximately 29 J/TH. They will be distributed free of charge among developers of open hardware projects in the USA to stimulate innovations in bitcoin mining.
Distribution Details and Selection Criteria
The chips were distributed among four projects, each receiving 54,000 units. The selection was made among developers who expressed interest from January 2025. 256 Foundation emphasizes that the goal is to create open schematics and reference designs, including the foundation's developments. This will allow the community to go beyond the closed ecosystems of large manufacturers such as Bitmain and accelerate the development of competitive bitcoin mining devices.
Chip Applications: From Mining to Eco-friendly Solutions
BZM2 chips, providing about 0.3 TH/s at 0.7V, are suitable for creating modular miners and heat recovery systems. Potential applications include room heating, water heating, thermal solutions for 3D printers, and off-grid infrastructures based on renewable energy sources. As noted by 256 Foundation representative Econalchemist: "Receiving these BZM2 chips is a big step towards a new era of innovation where end users can inspect, modify, and freely launch their equipment."
Analysis: Decentralization and Sustainable Development
The 256 Foundation initiative promotes democratized access to hardware resources, reducing reliance on major vendors and entry barriers to mining. Using chips for eco-sustainable solutions such as heat recycling opens new opportunities for energy-efficient mining. However, success depends on the quality of prototypes and their integration into real projects, requiring further efforts from the community. This initiative can be an important step towards decentralization and innovation in the crypto ecosystem.