Bitcoin Mining Pool: AntPool Takes the Lead
The Bitcoin (BTC) mining business is a competitive race, with mining companies and pools vying for the next valid block and the mining reward. Foundry USA, an American mining pool, has dominated this race for the past three years. However, AntPool, owned by leading ASIC manufacturer BitMain, has recently surpassed Foundry USA in block discovery, becoming the new leading pool in Bitcoin mining.
AntPool’s Rise to the Top
In the last few days, AntPool has significantly increased its hashrate power, surpassing Foundry USA in block discovery. With 26,436 blocks mined in three years, AntPool closely follows the leader. The fact that AntPool is owned by BitMain, a prominent ASIC manufacturer, gives it an advantage as more efficient ASICs increase the chances of finding a valid block and collecting rewards.
AntPool’s Recent Performance
In the past 24 hours alone, AntPool has discovered 46 blocks, accounting for 30.07% of all blocks mined. This translates to approximately 287.5 BTC in mining rewards, worth around $8 million at current BTC prices. Over the past three days, AntPool has slightly overtaken Foundry USA by a two-block difference.
Rewards and Impact on Competitors
AntPool’s recent success has resulted in over $20 million in block subsidy rewards for Bitcoin miners contributing to its Proof-of-Work (PoW). This shift in dominance may lead other mining companies to migrate their hashpower to BitMain’s pool in search of higher chances of block discovery.
Ensuring Compliance
Both Foundry USA and AntPool require proper identification (KYC) of all Bitcoin miners in their pools. This requirement may encourage more registered mining companies to choose AntPool, further consolidating its position as the leading Bitcoin mining pool.
Hot Take: AntPool’s Rise Marks a Shift in Bitcoin Mining Landscape
AntPool’s sudden rise to the top of the Bitcoin mining race reflects the dynamic nature of the industry. With its increased hashrate power and backing from BitMain, AntPool has emerged as a formidable competitor, surpassing long-time leader Foundry USA. This shift not only impacts block discovery and rewards but also raises questions about network decentralization. As more miners flock to AntPool for higher chances of success, the concentration of power in a single pool may affect the overall decentralization of the Bitcoin network.
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