GlossaryIntermediate
ASIC
Specialized hardware built specifically for efficient cryptocurrency mining.
An Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) is hardware designed and built for one specific purpose, such as mining a particular proof-of-work algorithm, generally far more efficient at that task than general-purpose computer hardware.
ASIC-dominated mining has raised centralization concerns on some networks, since it can concentrate mining among those with access to specialized hardware and cheap electricity.
Examples
- Bitcoin mining today is dominated by ASIC hardware rather than general-purpose computers.
- Some networks have deliberately designed their mining algorithm to resist ASIC efficiency advantages.