ASICMINER: Entering the Future of ASIC Mining by Inventing It

[Jutarul]

Thanks the post, Jutarul. Regarding providing info on what is being said, have you heard any updates on how gen4 is coming along?

Based on the information provided the gen4 is coming along according to schedule. There will be some time span in which it will be evaluated. However, to put things in perspective any new chips will not move the profit margins too much. Profit margins are mainly a function of BTC price, network power and average upkeep costs. The tech has moved quickly in the last 2 years and is hitting Moore's barrier pretty hard. Main profits will likely come from innovative ways to reduce capex and opex, which not necessarily requires the latest chips.

Thanks for the post Jutarul (and zefir).

When you say "gen4 is coming along according to schedule", can you shed any light regarding what that schedule is? What phase is the design of gen4 chips in? When is "tape out" expected? When are the first samples expected to be received by AM for testing?

As long as there is no clear guidance on information policy, I have to defer to FC in answering those questions. That said - I don't have the data you're asking for (other than the tape out date).

[Chris_Sabian]

Thanks for the updates  Jutarul and Zefir

[Franktank]

Thanks for the post Jutarul (and zefir).

When you say "gen4 is coming along according to schedule", can you shed any light regarding what that schedule is? What phase is the design of gen4 chips in? When is "tape out" expected? When are the first samples expected to be received by AM for testing?

As long as there is no clear guidance on information policy, I have to defer to FC in answering those questions. That said - I don't have the data you're asking for (other than the tape out date).

Is that info allowed for public release?

[Bonam]

Thanks for the post Jutarul (and zefir).

When you say "gen4 is coming along according to schedule", can you shed any light regarding what that schedule is? What phase is the design of gen4 chips in? When is "tape out" expected? When are the first samples expected to be received by AM for testing?

As long as there is no clear guidance on information policy, I have to defer to FC in answering those questions. That said - I don't have the data you're asking for (other than the tape out date).

Is that info allowed for public release?

I think he said fairly clearly that he has not received the go-ahead from FC to be able to release that information.

[Mabsark]

Thanks for the post Jutarul (and zefir).

When you say "gen4 is coming along according to schedule", can you shed any light regarding what that schedule is? What phase is the design of gen4 chips in? When is "tape out" expected? When are the first samples expected to be received by AM for testing?

As long as there is no clear guidance on information policy, I have to defer to FC in answering those questions. That said - I don't have the data you're asking for (other than the tape out date).

Is that info allowed for public release?

I think he said fairly clearly that he has not received the go-ahead from FC to be able to release that information.

He also said very clearly that the had the gen 4 tape-out date. 

[Bonam]

He also said very clearly that the had the gen 4 tape-out date.  

Yes... unfortunately we don't know when it is. It could be nothing but a projection for a few months out, or it could be a few days away. It's understandable wanting to keep something like that undisclosed so as not to tip off competition, but AM is in dire need of better communication with both its customers and shareholders. The board members mentioned that PR is being worked on, but then again, we've been hearing that PR is being worked on for over a year, and nothing's ever happened on that front.

[Mabsark]

He also said very clearly that the had the gen 4 tape-out date.  

Yes... unfortunately we don't know when it is. It could be nothing but a projection for a few months out, or it could be a few days away. It's understandable wanting to keep something like that undisclosed so as not to tip off competition, but AM is in dire need of better communication with both its customers and shareholders. The board members mentioned that PR is being worked on, but then again, we've been hearing that PR is being worked on for over a year, and nothing's ever happened on that front.

If the gen 4 tape-out date is known, then it's almost certainly been paid for already. That would go a long way to explaining the lack of dividends so far and could mean that gen 4 is far closer than we all imagine. This seems like the most logical explanation to me.

[gog1]

gen 2 was vaporware - gen 3 was a blah, now gen 4 .......

as much as I love ASICMINER, it seem like they ain't making it in the competitive mining space

[necro_nemesis]

If Capex and Opex are currently of greater significance then Gen 4 seeing the light of day soon, what can be said about plans and developments in that regard?

[aahzmundus]

gen 2 was vaporware - gen 3 was a blah, now gen 4 .......

as much as I love ASICMINER, it seem like they ain't making it in the competitive mining space

It has always been known that mining would gravitate to a smaller and smaller margin game.  I doubt you will find any mining company that is killing it.  At least FC has a solid track record that when you look at the competition, makes him look golden.

Never taking preorders, paying back all IPO funds before talking profits themselves, working with customers through issues... not everything is perfect, but it could be worse.... we could be invested in ANY other mining outfit.

[Bonam]

not everything is perfect, but it could be worse.... we could be invested in ANY other mining outfit.

"Mining outfit" maybe but as far as I know AM is the only legitimate asic manufacturer with public shares, is it not?

[arnuschky]

When did this stop being the ASICMINER thread?

Maybe when AM stopped to release or do anything worthwhile to discuss?

[bitcoiner49er]

Oops, Jutarul beat me to the minute

Board members: When is the next meeting?

When is the last time we heard from a board member?

Jutarul is very quiet around here, very strange maybe he's clueless like us ... Friedcat just doesn't give a shit, "he works for only himself".

a) kind of and b) no.

b) friedcat does not need to 'work for himself' any more - if he did not care about the shareholders, he for sure could step aside and enjoy the life we all seek.

a) we had a board meeting last week. One of the discussed topics was the current information policy and a related consensus that it needs improvements. The search for a dedicated PR person is still active and situation is expected to get way more relaxed once this is settled. What is generally to note is, that there are no news to report as long as there are no news to report. Basically things are progressing as planned, but with the company maturing and being able to follow long-term plans, there is often nothing relevant to report on a weekly (or even monthly) base. Needless to say that in such a competitive business field there is also information not meant for the public (or the board).

Generally, board meetings are company confidential unless otherwise stated. Therefore observing that none from the board is posting in this thread or elsewhere is a combination of 1) there are no relevant news, and 2) if there were, we are not allowed to disclose. This is not because we are careless bastards, but to protect the company, ourselves and shareholders.

For now, please take the fact that the board is pushing for a better transparency for granted and look forward for this to improve mid term.

Agreed on all counts except "news". It would be news to me to know mining hashrate and mining address(es). Perhaps a shareholder login for info such as this? Would be a good PR starting point.

[aahzmundus]

"Mining outfit" maybe but as far as I know AM is the only legitimate asic manufacturer with public shares, is it not?

There used to be others... they are not around anymore.  I think that helps establish my point.

[Bonam]

There used to be others... they are not around anymore.  I think that helps establish my point.

Who? ActiveMining was an obvious scam right from the beginning (I posted so as one of the very first replies on one of their very first threads). Same with Labcoin. As far as I know there's never been another asic manufacturer that wasn't an obvious scam to invest in. But I could have missed something as I took a couple few month breaks from these forums.

[rudi]

Prediction: No dividends before gen4 is taped out, tested, and friedcat is satisfied with the result.

If gen4 fails to satisfy friedcat, the funds that could have been used to pay out dividends will be used for a contingency plan.

This would be a reasonable thing to do. It might also partially explain why no divs have been paid out in August: Funds are being retained a bit longer, in case the imminent tape-out of gen4 fails or fizzles.

Disclaimer: I'm pulling this theory out of my ass.

[Chris_Sabian]

Prediction: No dividends before gen4 is taped out, tested, and friedcat is satisfied with the result.

If gen4 fails to satisfy friedcat, the funds that could have been used to pay out dividends will be used for a contingency plan.

This would be a reasonable thing to do. It might also partially explain why no divs have been paid out in August: Funds are being retained a bit longer, in case the imminent tape-out of gen4 fails or fizzles.

Disclaimer: I'm pulling this theory out of my ass.

This is a reasonable idea.  And a good business decision as well.

[vortex1878]

Prediction: No dividends before gen4 is taped out, tested, and friedcat is satisfied with the result.

If gen4 fails to satisfy friedcat, the funds that could have been used to pay out dividends will be used for a contingency plan.

This would be a reasonable thing to do. It might also partially explain why no divs have been paid out in August: Funds are being retained a bit longer, in case the imminent tape-out of gen4 fails or fizzles.

Disclaimer: I'm pulling this theory out of my ass.

This is a reasonable idea.  And a good business decision as well.

That would be horrible for shareholders. You do know how much time passes from tape-out till you can actually test the chip?

[kingcrimson]

Why do they not implement their 60 PH? They could be dominating right now.

[explorer]

Why do they not implement their 60 PH? They could be dominating right now.

If deployment began in July as stated, the process of domination is well under way.