Bitmain is about to release the next generation mining machine S19, competing with Shenma M30S

On the 16th, Wu Blockchain exclusively learned from supply chain sources that Bitmain's next-generation mining machine S19 chip has been sent to TSMC for wafer verification and will be returned for wafer verification soon. S19 will use TSMC's 7nm technology, and the S19PRO performance index can reach up to 30 watts per ton.

On the 14th, Shenma Miner released news that it will release its latest generation product M30S, which uses Samsung's 8nm technology and has a performance index of 38 watts per ton. Some miners said that the order conference for M30S should be held on the 15th, but it was postponed because Bitmain reported the case for infringement of trade secrets and Shenma founder Yang Zuoxing was suspected of being investigated. (Reference Exclusive: Former Bitmain Chairman Zhan Ketuan ordered a report to investigate Shenma Miner Yang Zuoxing)

In terms of the highest performance indicators that can be achieved, although the Antminer S19 is higher than the Shenma M30S, after Wu Jihan dismissed Zhan Ketuan from all positions, the technology priority route tilted towards the sales priority route. Antminer technology no longer blindly pursues the highest performance indicators, but comprehensively considers cost performance, economy, and stability. Therefore, there will be multiple S19 models in the end. The actual indicators may not reach 30 watts per ton, but the cost performance will be better than S17. Other news confirmed that before Zhan Ketuan was dismissed, the S19 mining machine chip had been designed.

In 2019, Shenma Mining Machine successfully seized a large market share by virtue of its “price war” and cost-effectiveness. Bitmain lost some market share due to the refusal of former chairman Zhan Ketuan and decision makers to lower prices. However, in terms of performance indicators, Bitmain has an advantage in technical indicators because it monopolizes TSMC’s 7nm production capacity.

Currently, both Antminer S19 and Shenma M30S are in the tape-out stage. Whoever completes verification, mass production and sales faster will win. It is currently expected that both will be mass-produced in the first quarter of 2020. Also in mass production in the first quarter of 2020 is the Avalon A11 miner produced by Canaan, which is about to be listed on the Nasdaq, which reaches 46 watts per ton.

The next Bitcoin halving will take place in May 2020, when the 12.5 Bitcoin block reward will be halved to 6.25 Bitcoin every 10 minutes, which will have a decisive impact on the digital currency mining industry. If the Bitcoin price does not rise sharply by then, most of the current mainstream 16nm mining machines will be shut down, and the sales of mining machines may drop significantly after the halving. Therefore, the competition between S19 and M30 may become the "final battle" of the mining machine industry.