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January 20, 2025 8 mins
Zak Mir talks to Francesco Gardin, CEO and Executive Chairman of QBT, an AIM-listed investment company focused on a disruptive R&D and investment programme within the blockchain sector, as it announces a breakthrough achievement for its predictive Bitcoin Artificial Intelligence model mining tool.

QBT believes this is a significant milestone since this proprietary technology has been used in trials to mine Bitcoin. It provides a material competitive advantage in mining by reducing the energy cost of mining by approximately 30% or accelerating the mining speed at current energy consumption and costs with approximately a 30% greater hash rate.

In the rapidly evolving world of cryptocurrency, Bitcoin mining stands as a complex and competitive frontier. Companies are constantly searching for innovative solutions to enhance their mining capabilities. One such company, QBT, is at the forefront with a cutting-edge approach that utilises artificial intelligence. In this blog, we delve into an insightful conversation with Francesco Gardin, CEO and Executive Chairman of QBT, who shares the latest advancements and breakthroughs in their predictive Bitcoin AI model.

The Journey of QBT

Francesco Gardin starts by outlining the history of QBT, which has been on a transformative journey for over three years. This journey is not just about creating a mining tool; it’s about challenging the status quo of Bitcoin mining. The core of their innovation lies in tackling the SHA-256 algorithm, which is fundamental to Bitcoin generation.

Gardin describes their mission as one to “crack the code” of SHA-256, although he admits that “cracking” is a strong term. Instead, they aimed to enhance the algorithm’s efficiency using advanced AI techniques. These techniques have led to the creation of an Oracle that predicts the algorithm’s behaviour, significantly reducing the computational resources required to mine Bitcoin.

What is the Oracle and How Does it Work?

The Oracle developed by QBT is an intriguing innovation. It operates by providing a predictive analysis of whether a given input into the SHA-256 algorithm has a chance of generating a successful output—a winning hash. This means that miners can avoid unnecessary computations, which traditionally require trying trillions of inputs to find a valid hash.

Instead of brute-forcing through countless possibilities, the Oracle can qualitatively assess whether the outcome will meet the target criteria. This not only saves time but also resources, which is particularly critical in an industry where energy costs are a major concern.

The Competitive Edge of QBT’s Technology

One of the significant advantages of this Oracle is its efficiency. By reducing the energy cost of mining by approximately 30%, QBT is poised to provide miners with a substantial competitive edge. This improvement can either accelerate mining speed at current energy consumption levels or enhance the hash rate, which is crucial for successful mining operations.

Gardin highlights the current landscape of Bitcoin mining, noting that as Bitcoin prices rise, the competition intensifies. Miners are constantly seeking ways to improve their performance, and QBT’s technology offers a promising solution.

Licensing and Business Model

A key question arises about the accessibility of QBT’s intellectual property (IP). Gardin clarifies that their business model is geared towards licensing the technology. The Oracle’s capabilities must be integrated directly into mining chips, a process that involves collaboration with chip manufacturers.

When asked about potential partnerships, Gardin mentions that while the number of companies manufacturing Bitcoin mining chips is limited, those who understand the technology’s impact can significantly enhance their operatio
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