SHA-256

SHA-256 (Secure Hash Algorithm, 256 bits) is a hash function designed by the NSA and standardized by NIST, the US standards body, in the early 2000s. It turns any data into a 256-bit fingerprint that is always the same length. The slightest change to the input completely changes the result, and it is impossible to recover the input from the fingerprint.

Bitcoin applies it twice in a row for its proof of work. Miners vary a small number, the nonce, in the block header, then compute the hash until they get a result below the target set by the difficulty. It is purely a game of trial and error: finding a block takes an astronomical number of attempts, hence the value of specialized chips. Other cryptocurrencies also use SHA-256, such as Bitcoin Cash, or are mined alongside Bitcoin through merged mining.

On a product page, the hashrate of a SHA-256 miner is expressed in TH/s (terahashes per second) and its efficiency in J/TH. Recent high-power models, such as the Antminer S21 or the Whatsminer M60, go well beyond 100 TH/s. Above all, compare efficiency: at equal hashrate, the machine that uses the fewest joules per terahash will cost less to run.

Our Bitcoin collection brings together the SHA-256 miners we offer.