Competition in the Bitcoin mining rig manufacturing sector is intensifying. Chinese producer Microbt has officially launched its next-generation Whatsminer series, headlined by the M30S++ model boasting a hash rate of up to 112 terahash per second (TH/s). This announcement directly challenges Bitmain’s Antminer S19 Pro, which delivers 110 TH/s.
Company Background and History
Founded in 2017 by former Bitmain engineer Yang Zuoxing – the lead developer behind Bitmain’s popular S7 and S9 Antminer models – Microbt quickly established itself as a major player. Its first-generation M1 and M3 miners sold nearly 400,000 units, at one point powering an estimated 10% of Bitcoin’s total network hash rate. Today, Microbt ranks among the top three ASIC manufacturers globally.
Specifications and Pricing
The flagship M30S++ offers 112 TH/s with a power efficiency of 31 joules per terahash (J/TH). It is priced at $3,900 per unit. The second model, M30S+, provides 100 TH/s at 34 J/TH, selling for $2,800. In comparison, Bitmain’s S19 Pro achieves 110 TH/s at 29.5 J/TH, giving Bitmain a slight efficiency edge but Microbt a raw hash rate advantage. Microbt COO Chen Jianbing confirmed that warranty coverage has been extended from the previous 180 days to a full year, a move aimed at building customer trust.
COVID-19 Shipping Uncertainty
Microbt stated that shipping for both models is scheduled between June 1 and June 30, 2020. However, the global coronavirus pandemic has severely disrupted supply chains and logistics for Chinese mining hardware manufacturers. Mining firms such as Riot Blockchain and Hut8 have publicly complained about prolonged delays in receiving equipment from Microbt, Bitmain, and Canaan, with arrival dates remaining uncertain. These logistical challenges could dampen the initial market impact of the new miners.
With the M30S++ and M30S+, Microbt demonstrates its ability to compete at the highest tier of ASIC performance. The race between Microbt and Bitmain is now tighter than ever, though the industry-wide shipping bottleneck remains a critical unresolved issue.