Intel Launches New Blockscale Technology for Energy-Efficient Blockchain Hashing

Argo Blockchain, Block Inc., Hive Blockchain Technologies and GRIID Infrastructure will be among the first customers to work with the Intel Blockscale ASIC, which can power up to 580 GH/s hash rate.

Intel has announced its new application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) with energy-efficient hashing specifically designed for proof-of-work consensus networks.

Building on years of Intel research and development (R&D), the Intel Blockscale ASIC will provide the energy efficiency and computing power needed to achieve scalability and sustainability needed for blockchains utilizing proof-of-work consensus mechanisms.

"To power this new era of computing, Intel is delivering solutions that can offer an optimal balance of hashing throughput and energy efficiency regardless of a customer’s operating environment" said Balaji Kanigicherla, Intel vice president and general manager of Custom Compute in the Accelerated Computing Systems and Graphics Group. "Intel’s decades of R&D in cryptography, hashing techniques and ultra-low voltage circuits make it possible for blockchain applications to scale their computing power without compromising on sustainability.”

 "The Intel Blockscale ASIC is going to play a major role in helping bitcoin mining companies achieve both sustainability and hash rate scaling objectives in the years ahead” said Jose Rios, general manager of Blockchain and Business Solutions in the Accelerated Computing Systems and Graphics Group at Intel. “Intel is committed to advancing blockchain technology in a responsible way, and we’re proud to collaborate with and provide solutions to companies that are creating a more sustainable cryptocurrency ecosystem globally."

The Intel Blockscale ASIC provides a dedicated Secure Hash Algorithm-256 (SHA-256) ASIC processor with up to 580 GH/s hash rate operating and up to 26 J/TH power efficiency, on-chip temperature- and voltage-sensing capabilities and support for up to 256 integrated circuits per chain.

Shipments of Intel Blockscale ASIC to customers will begin in the third quarter of 2022.  Argo Blockchain, Block Inc., Hive Blockchain Technologies and GRIID Infrastructure will be among the first companies to develop new systems based on Intel’s ASIC.