Intel has unveiled its latest application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip, which will “provide customers with energy-efficient hashing for proof-of-work consensus networks.”

On April 4, Intel Corporation issued a press release to announce details of the Intel Blockscale ASIC. 

Balaji Kanigicherla, Intel vice president and general manager of Custom Compute in the Accelerated Computing Systems and Graphics Group, had this to say:

“Momentum around blockchain continues to build. It is the enabler of decentralized and distributed computing, making way for innovative business models. 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. 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.“

Intel says that “for proof-of-work algorithms that are compatible with ASIC-based systems and SHA-256 hashing, the Intel Blockscale ASIC will provide the energy efficiency and computing power needed to achieve scalability and sustainability” and that “given the nature of the silicon powering this technology, Intel will be able to supply it in volume without compromising the supply of new CPUs or GPUs. 

Jose Rios, general manager of Blockchain and Business Solutions in the Accelerated Computing Systems and Graphics Group at Intel, said:

“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 is going to play a major role in helping bitcoin mining companies achieve both sustainability and hash rate scaling objectives in the years ahead.“

Intel went on to say that the Intel Blockscale ASIC is a “dedicated Secure Hash Algorithm-256 (SHA-256) ASIC processor” that delivers “up to 580 GH/s hash rate operating and up to 26 J/TH power efficiency.”

Intel expects to ship the Intel Blockscale ASIC to customers starting in Q3 2022.  Some of the first companies that are planning to use this ASCI chip include Argo Blockchain, Block Inc., Hive Blockchain Technologies, and GRIID Infrastructure.

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