Bitdeer Technologies, a leading blockchain and high-performance computing company headquartered in Singapore, has recently made headlines with its groundbreaking advancements in Bitcoin mining technology.
The company unveiled its latest innovation, the SEAL04 chip, which promises to revolutionize the industry by significantly reducing energy consumption. This chip, set to be mass-produced by Q4 2025, is expected to have a significant effect on bitcoin mining.
Bitdeer’s announcement underscores its commitment to advancing the mining industry. Linghui Kong, Chief Business Officer of Bitdeer, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating:
“Bitdeer has a long-term commitment towards enhancing transparency in our industry. We believe that the financial models of Bitcoin miners are significantly impacted by price uncertainty.”
He added that Bitdeer aims to increase transparency and mitigate potential financial losses by sharing their Research and Development (R&D) technology roadmap for SEALMINER.
The SEALMINER technology roadmap outlines a series of progressive advancements in mining chip technology, culminating in the SEAL04 chip. Each iteration promises improved energy efficiency, which is crucial for reducing operational costs and minimizing the environmental impact of Bitcoin mining.
The journey begins with the SEAL01 chip, introduced in the first quarter of 2024. This chip was engineered using a 4-nanometer processor technology, achieving an energy efficiency of 18.1 joules per terahash (J/TH).
It was seamlessly integrated into the SEALMINER A1 mining machine, with a wall-mount power consumption between 20J/TH and 23J/TH.
Scheduled for release in the third quarter of 2024, the SEAL02 chip is expected to achieve an energy efficiency of 14J/TH.
The optimized power consumption for the mining machine is anticipated to be between 15J/TH and 16.5J/TH. This second-generation SEALMINER machine is expected to be mass-produced and delivered starting in the third quarter of 2024.
The SEAL03 chip, planned for release in the fourth quarter of 2024, aims for an energy efficiency as low as 10J/TH.
The corresponding mining machine’s power consumption is expected to range between 11J/TH and 12J/TH, with mass production and delivery slated for the second quarter of 2025.
The pinnacle of Bitdeer’s roadmap is the SEAL04 chip, expected to launch in the second quarter of 2025. This chip is projected to achieve a groundbreaking energy efficiency of 5J/TH.
The fourth-generation SEALMINER machine, powered by the SEAL04 chip, will be optimized to consume between 5.5J/TH and 6J/TH, significantly lower than the industry average of 29J/TH. Mass production and delivery are expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2025.
The introduction of the SEAL04 chip represents a significant technological advancement in the Bitcoin mining industry. This innovation addresses one of the most pressing issues in Bitcoin mining: high energy consumption.
By drastically reducing power consumption, the SEAL04 chip offers enhanced Bitcoin mining performance, lower operating costs, and a reduced environmental footprint for miners.
Bitdeer’s efforts come at a time when the industry is under scrutiny for its environmental impact.
The move towards more energy-efficient mining solutions is crucial, especially after mining bans in regions like Kazakhstan prompted miners to relocate to greener grids in North America or sustainable off-grid sites.
Related: List of Recent Studies Showcasing Bitcoin’s Net-Positive Environmental Impact
Last March, Bitdeer announced that it had taken steps to develop the SEALMINER equipment series by “assembling an international team of professional engineers specializing in chip design, firmware, and hardware engineering.”
Bitdeer’s advancements have not gone unnoticed. In a significant development, stablecoin issuer Tether acquired a 25% stake in Bitdeer, becoming the second-largest shareholder behind Bitdeer CEO Jihan Wu.
This acquisition, disclosed in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), was part of a $100 million financing deal, which included a warrant allowing Tether to purchase up to 5,000,000 additional shares at $10.00 each over the next year.
Additionally, in May 2023, Bitdeer partnered with Bhutan’s sovereign investment arm, Druk Holding and Investments (DHI), to establish carbon-free and environmentally sustainable digital asset mining operations in the Kingdom of Bhutan.
This partnership highlights Bitdeer’s commitment to sustainability and its efforts to mitigate the environmental impact of Bitcoin mining.
The company’s R&D efforts are not just about developing advanced mining chips but also about providing comprehensive computing solutions.
Bitdeer handles complex processes such as equipment procurement, transport logistics, data center design and construction and equipment management.
Furthermore, Bitdeer’s advanced cloud capabilities cater to customers with high demand for artificial intelligence, showcasing the company’s versatility and commitment to meeting diverse technological needs.
Bitdeer’s unveiling of the SEAL04 chip marks a milestone in the evolution of Bitcoin mining technology.
With its unprecedented energy efficiency, the SEAL04 chip is poised to set new standards in the industry, addressing both economic and environmental concerns.
