Block Inc. has introduced a new cryptocurrency mining system aimed at extending the lifespan of mining rigs and reducing operational costs for miners. At the center of this launch is the Proto Rig, a modular system designed to replace the conventional three-to-five-year lifecycle of mining rigs with hardware that can last a decade or more. Miners will have the ability to replace individual hashboards as technology advances, potentially lowering upgrade costs by 20%. Additionally, Block introduced Proto Fleet, an open-source platform for managing large-scale mining operations. The announcement signifies Block's continued move into the mining hardware sector, following a supply agreement with Core Scientific last year. With Bitcoin mining remaining a capital-intensive endeavor, innovations like the Proto Rig may offer miners a critical advantage in managing costs associated with maintaining their facilities. As computing demands have shifted, some mining firms are repurposing infrastructure for high-performance computing and AI workloads. That said, the significant investment in professional-grade rigs, which can exceed $10,000, along with the rising costs of electricity, remain pivotal factors in determining profitability.

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