This week, Block, Inc. (NYSE: XYZ) has launched Proto Rig, a modular Bitcoin mining system designed for durability, and Proto Fleet, a free, open source control platform, strategically promoting the diversification of mining hardware and software.
The end of a disposable miner? Block’s Proto Rig adds 10 years of life
Announcement at Core Scientific’s facility – operational Proto Rigs are already rolled out – signal Block’s entry into the competitive ASIC mining market based on the Proto Division following the initial Bitcoin mining chip sales. Proto Rig replaces disposable hardware models with upgradeable infrastructure. Its modular design allows operators to replace individual hashboards rather than the entire unit, converting miners from assets of 3-5 years to investments of 10 years.
Block’s hardware lead, Thomas Templeton, criticised the legacy equipment. Proto Rig tool-in-place repairs reduce downtime to “hours, days, or weeks” and reduce upgrade cycle costs by 15-20%. The air-cooled unit (390mm W x 290mm h x 500mm d) has nine swappable hashboards, with a maximum of 819 terra hashts per second (91 th/s per board) and supplies 14.1 joules (j/th) per 14.1 joules.
Captures up to 12,000 watts of power from a 208-240V power source via three cables, including an 8-foot C20-C19 cable. Weighing 110 pounds (5.38 pounds per hashboard), it fits standard racks and supports immersion cooling modifications. It has 1.5 times the power density per rack density than traditional miners, maximizing existing facility layouts without costly modifications. Backward compatibility between legacy infrastructure and hot-swappable components minimizes operational disruption.
The system’s control board, power supply unit (4,000W each), and fan modules are available on-site service. “We changed (hardware mining) and contributed to the decentralization of the hardware,” Templeton added. The team highlighted that Proto Rig’s design specifically addresses chronic industry challenges: inefficiency in electricity use, frequent downtime and rapid hardware obsolescence.
Concurrently launched, Proto Fleet integrates power scale, diagnostics, monitoring and maintenance tools into a single open source platform. Templeton has complicated operations, saying that Bitcoin mining software “has not been keeping up with software advancements more widely.” Free software reportedly eliminates the need for fragmented third-party tools, allowing miners of all sizes to streamline workflows and maximize uptime.
The company noted that both products will advance the block’s goal of decentralizing Bitcoin mining. Proto Rig’s accessible design attracts widespread participation from builders, while Proto Fleet’s open source model democratizes management capabilities. “The majority of Proto’s efforts to disperse the mining industry,” the release emphasized, pointing out that the software is free “for anyone to use.” Proto Rig is actively mined at Core Scientific’s Dalton facility and serves as a proof of live concept. Although the unit pricing remains undisclosed, blocks place the system as a long-term infrastructure investment rather than as a disposable tool.
