Glossary

ASIC

15/04/2026

An ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) is a chip designed and manufactured to perform one specific task. In cryptocurrency mining, ASIC miners are dedicated hardware devices built to compute a single mining algorithm as efficiently as possible — far outperforming general-purpose CPUs and GPUs.

ASIC vs GPU vs CPU

CPU GPU ASIC
Purpose General computing Graphics + parallel computing Single mining algorithm
Hashrate Low Medium Very high
Power efficiency Low Medium High
Flexibility Any task Multiple algorithms One algorithm only
Cost Low Medium–High High

ASICs can be 10–1000× more power-efficient than GPUs for the same algorithm. This is why Bitcoin mining is almost exclusively done by ASICs.

How an ASIC miner works

  1. Connect the ASIC to your local network via Ethernet
  2. Open the web interface and enter your pool address and wallet address
  3. The miner runs 24/7, computing hashes and submitting valid shares to the pool
  4. The pool credits your shares and pays out earnings to your wallet

Popular ASIC manufacturers

  • Bitmain Antminer — the dominant brand; models for SHA-256 (BTC), Scrypt (LTC), and more
  • IceRiver — popular KAS (Kaspa) miners for home and small-scale use
  • Canaan Avalon — one of the earliest ASIC producers; BTC and LTC models
  • Goldshell — compact miners suited for home use; supports multiple algorithms
  • Jasminer — focused on EtcHash; low-noise models for quiet environments

ASIC limitations

  • Algorithm-locked — a SHA-256 ASIC cannot mine Kaspa or Monero; it is permanently dedicated to one algorithm
  • Noise and heat — industrial ASICs are loud and generate significant heat; proper ventilation is required
  • Obsolescence — newer ASIC generations regularly outperform older ones, reducing profitability over time

See also

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