MicroBT’s newest Bitcoin mining rig, the Whatsminer M56S++, has been found to utilize Samsung’s cutting-edge 3nm Gate-All-Around (GAA) semiconductor manufacturing technology, according to Techinsights. This represents the first verified real-world application of Samsung’s 3nm GAA chip, which was announced approximately one year ago but had not yet been implemented in any shipping products until the discovery of its use in MicroBT’s latest mining hardware. The Whatsminer M56S++’s application-specific integrated circuit was built on Samsung’s 3nm SF3E process node, marking the first sighting of the advanced 3nm chips in action since their release.
According to Techinsights, the implementation of Samsung’s 3nm GAA technology in a shipping product like MicroBT’s latest mining rig is a major milestone. The researchers state that commercializing 3nm GAA will pave the way for future 2nm chips and beyond. The report explained that 3nm GAA can enhance performance, energy efficiency, keep pace with Moore’s Law, and enable advanced applications. Additionally, the discovery of Samsung’s cutting-edge 3nm chip in the Whatsminer M56S++ confirms long-standing speculation that Samsung is the semiconductor supplier for MicroBT’s mining ASICs. Leveraging Samsung’s state-of-the-art manufacturing will be key for MicroBT to maintain its position as an industry leader in Bitcoin mining hardware.
Meanwhile, Bitmain, MicroBT’s major competitor, is believed to source chips from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). This is not the first instance of advanced semiconductor technology being uncovered in Bitcoin mining hardware. Previously, Techinsights found SMIC’s 7nm process implemented in a Minerva Bitcoin mining ASIC. However, semiconductor analyst Eric Chen of Digitimes Asia noted that while the discovery of Samsung’s 3nm GAA chip in a shipping product qualifies as commercialization, its scale is likely still small in terms of volume production. Though a milestone for Samsung’s 3nm process, Chen implies the Whatsminer M56S++ represents only an early stage of commercialization versus mass-scale manufacturing at this point.
According to analyst Eric Chen, while using 3nm chips in a shipping product constitutes commercialization, ASIC chips like those used in Bitcoin miners are relatively simple architectures versus more complex logic chips. Analyst John Wang added that yields are still low on Samsung’s 3nm GAA process. As a result, he believes Samsung is looking to bring in a wide customer base to further develop and optimize the manufacturing process and improve yields. Though a milestone, the Whatsminer M56S++ likely represents the initial small-scale commercialization of 3nm GAA rather than high-volume production. The Techinsights report concludes with uncertainty around whether any other devices have currently implemented Samsung’s 3nm technology besides MicroBT’s latest mining rig. More widespread commercialization likely depends on yield improvements going forward.
