Proto Review
Block-backed mining hardware with modular design, tool-free repairs, and open-source fleet management for operators who want equipment built to last.
Why We Recommend Proto
Proto represents a serious challenge to mining hardware centralization, backed by Block's decade-plus experience shipping tens of millions of hardware units through Square and Cash App. The Proto Rig delivers 1.5x higher power density per rack space compared to traditional shoebox miners, while the modular architecture allows hashboard swaps in seconds without tools or full system downtime. This isn't incremental improvement—it's hardware designed around what operators actually need: maximum uptime, minimal maintenance headaches, and equipment that works with existing power infrastructure.
The commitment to longevity sets Proto apart in an industry plagued by disposable hardware. Their modular upgrade path reduces costs by roughly 20% per cycle and extends asset life to 10 years, meaning operators can swap individual components rather than replacing entire rigs every few years. Proto Fleet, their free open-source fleet management software, provides unified diagnostics, power scaling, maintenance tracking, and performance monitoring deployable on-prem, cloud, or hybrid. North American manufacturing and open-source tools reflect a genuine push toward supply chain decentralization rather than marketing fluff.
Best For
Mining operators frustrated with fragile hardware and vendor lock-in will find Proto's approach refreshing. The tool-free repair design and modular architecture mean rack-side fixes take seconds instead of hours, maximizing uptime for operations where every minute of downtime costs money. Operators running dense deployments benefit most from the 1.5x power density improvement, fitting more hashrate into existing facilities without infrastructure overhauls.
Hosting providers and larger operations gain significant value from Proto Fleet's unified management capabilities. Free open-source software with real diagnostics and maintenance tracking eliminates the need for cobbled-together monitoring solutions or expensive proprietary platforms. The flexibility to deploy on-premises, in the cloud, or hybrid accommodates various security requirements and operational preferences.
Hardware builders, developers, and innovators exploring heat reuse, off-grid mining, or custom deployments can access standalone ASIC chips, evaluation kits, and APIs. Block is actively selling chips to other manufacturers, enabling experimentation with firmware customization for energy innovations and unconventional setups that legacy hardware simply doesn't support.
Services & Features
Considerations
Products remain in early rollout stages as of mid-2025, with Proto Fleet in closed beta and rigs not yet generally available. No public pricing has been announced, making direct cost comparisons with competitors difficult until full commercial launch.