The development kit is envisioned to have various components that can increase the accessibility and openness of bitcoin mining hardware.
Block Jack Dorsey has posted a new blog that details the Mining Development Kit, a new project that will apparently imitate the Lightning Development Kit and Bitcoin Development Kit projects, providing developers with access to bitcoin mining projects focused on integrating bitcoin mining into various novel use cases.
The blog also describes how the company has begun developing its own bitcoin mining semiconductor chips, saying that “This purpose-built integrated circuit (ASIC) is the primary way bitcoin is mined today and will form the basis for a full suite of bitcoin mining products intended to increase speed innovation in bitcoin mining.
Block then said that they are considering building MDK, and they are seeking more advice from the community. MDK as Block “now reflected” will have four components:
- Hashboard bitcoin mining “robust, reliable, industrial grade”.
- A special controller board designed to work with hash boards.
- Open-source firmware, software API and web front-end, which will allow developers to modify key performance parameters on the hash board.
- And extensive reference materials and support documentation “to facilitate the customization of hashboards.”
“The goal behind MDK is to provide developers with tools to help unlock creativity and innovation in bitcoin mining hardware,” the blog said. “With MDK, we see a significant opportunity to increase the accessibility and openness of bitcoin mining hardware, in order to accelerate innovation in the field.”
The post ends with a promise of future updates in the coming weeks and months, and a call to action for feedback that can be directed to mining@block.xyz.