Intel, the world’s largest semiconductor company, reportedly revealed Blockscale, a new Bitcoin (BTC) mining chip. The circuit with the specific application being integrated, or ASIC, hardware is designed to function with SHA-256 encryption on proof-of-work blockchains.

In specific, Blockscale, according to Intel, will have a hash rate of 580 gigahash per second (0.58 terahash per second, TH/s). The chip is reported to consume between 4.8 and 22.7 watts of power, and have a 26 joules per terahash (J/TH) energy efficiency. With a maximum of 256 integrated circuits per chain, each chip can be linked and merged into a single mining unit, increasing its production.

Bitmain’s Antminer S19 Pro, one of the most popular Bitcoin mining machines on the market, has a hash rate of 110 TH/s, requires 3,250 watts of power, and has a 30 J/TH energy efficiency.

A mining unit made up of 256 Blockscale chips would theoretically have a total hash rate of 148.5 TH/s and consume between 1,228 and 5,811 watts of power while maintaining similar energy efficiency.

Blockscale will be available between July and September of 2022, according to Intel. Argo Blockchain, Block, Hive Blockchain Technologies, and GRIID Infrastructure will the first ones to get their hands on the firm’s ASIC to create new systems. The general manager of blockchain and business solutions in the accelerated computing systems and graphics, Mr. Jose Rios, commented on the development:

“We are proud to collaborate with and provide solutions to companies that are creating a more sustainable cryptocurrency ecosystem globally. The Intel Blockscale ASIC will play a major role in helping Bitcoin mining companies achieve both sustainability and hash rate scaling objectives in the years ahead.”