A revolution in Bitcoin (BTC) mining? Block, Jack Dorsey’s company, offers sustainable mining rigs thanks to their detachable and scalable parts. How does it work?
Block’s scalable mining rigs
Block’s new model, called “Proto Rig,” is designed to last 10 years (compared to 3 to 5 years maximum for current mining machines). The parts are interchangeable, making it easier to upgrade the mining rig and repair it.
For example, hashboards can be replaced without miners having to buy a whole new device. According to Block, this will save miners 15 to 20% on the upgrades needed to keep their mining farms running.
Today marks the end of rip and replace Bitcoin mining. Proto Rig—the first miner built to be infrastructure.
• Replaceable hashboards
• Save 15–20% with each cycle
• Works with legacy facilities setupsBuilt by the team at Block to improve uptime for miners and decentralize… pic.twitter.com/8qAgntl3DF
— Proto (@protomining) August 14, 2025
Block’s hardware manager, Thomas Templeton, explains the company’s vision:
Machines often break down, are difficult to repair, expensive and time-consuming to upgrade, and they don’t use energy or space efficiently. With Rig, we wanted to change all that – and help decentralize hardware in the process.
A mining heavyweight in the making?
While Block’s rigs may represent a minor revolution, they are entering a highly saturated market. A few manufacturers, including Bitmain and MicroBT, account for the vast majority of the machines that run the Bitcoin network.
At this stage, Bitmain has an estimated market share of between 75 and 82%, followed by MicroBT (around 18%). Miners already committed to a hardware ecosystem may therefore be reluctant to switch.
Furthermore, while Block talks about decentralizing mining, the cost of acquiring its rig will remain high. The company has not mentioned a price, but it is likely that the Proto Rig will cost several thousand dollars, like its competitors. The company will therefore not single-handedly solve the problem of BTC mining concentration in the hands of a few, due to the very high production costs.
However, the diversification of rig suppliers remains good news. Although the Bitcoin network is supposed to be decentralized, its operation has already been accused of being centralized among a few entities working to run its network.
