Hut 8 Corp. (Nasdaq | TSX: HUT), a leading Bitcoin mining company, has expanded its partnership with BITMAIN Technologies Ltd., the world’s largest producer of Bitcoin mining servers, to launch the U3S21EXPH, a next-generation ASIC miner. This model will be the first mass-commercialized miner to feature direct liquid-to-chip (DLC) cooling within a U form factor.

Hut 8 plans to deploy the new miner in the second quarter of 2025, with an initial hosting agreement handling approximately 15 exahash per second (EH/s). This hosting deployment, facilitated by custom-built data center infrastructure developed in-house by Hut 8, is a key part of the company’s strategy to expand its computing power across Bitcoin mining and AI compute sectors.

“Our partnership with BITMAIN has allowed us to advance our thinking on ASIC compute and create a more scalable model for data center design as we expand our footprint,” said Asher Genoot, CEO of Hut 8. “The U3S21EXPH will be the first miner from BITMAIN broadly commercialized with DLC cooling within a U form factor, making it rack-ready like traditional data center hardware. This innovation bridges critical engineering gaps between Bitcoin mining and AI data center infrastructure in both form factor and cooling technology, and we believe this convergence will enable us to unlock significant synergies and flexibility going forward.”

The U3S21EXPH can achieve an efficiency of 13 joules per terahash, producing up to 860 terahash. It uses DLC cooling, a technology traditionally reserved for high-performance computing (HPC) data centers, to make Bitcoin mining more energy efficient and scalable.

“Asher and Mike have been invaluable thought partners to BITMAIN since the early days of US Bitcoin Corp, where they demonstrated a unique focus on cost-efficient procurement and operations,” said Irene Gao, Vice President of Mining at BITMAIN. “Hut 8’s technical expertise, operating strength, and track record of innovation made this partnership a natural evolution of our relationship as we began the journey of developing next-generation ASIC technology.”

The commercial agreement between Hut 8 and BITMAIN includes a fixed hosting fee and a purchase option for Hut 8 to buy the hosted machines in up to three tranches. This structure allows Hut 8 to assess market conditions before making further investments, minimizing financial risk. If Hut 8 exercises this purchase option, its self-mining capacity could grow from 5.6 EH/s to 20.6 EH/s.

Germany’s two of the largest five banks, Commerzbank and DZ Bank, are launching Bitcoin and crypto trading services amid growing institutional demand.

JUST IN: 🇩🇪 $500 billion Commerzbank to offer #Bitcoin and crypto trading. pic.twitter.com/KrOCOx5N9P

— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) September 19, 2024

Commerzbank, the country’s second-biggest bank by number of branches, signed a deal with Deutsche Boerse’s subsidiary Crypto Finance to provide trading access for corporate clients. DZ Bank, the nation’s number two lender, is enabling its 700 cooperative banks to offer Bitcoin and crypto trading via a tie-up with the Boerse Stuttgart exchange.

The moves come just weeks after Zurich Cantonal Bank in Switzerland began offering retail Bitcoin and crypto services. Major banks worldwide are increasingly embracing Bitcoin and crypto following the successful launch of the first U.S. Bitcoin ETFs.

“Our offering in digital assets enables our corporate clients to seize the opportunities presented by Bitcoin and ether for the first time,” said a Commerzbank executive.

DZ Bank and Commerzbank represent over $1 trillion in combined assets under management. Their entry significantly expands mainstream access to Bitcoin in Europe’s largest economy. DZ Bank’s head of trading said professional investors are rapidly allocating to Bitcoin and crypto, making regulated services crucial for portfolio diversification and risk management.

The moves are a milestone for Bitcoin’s integration into European finance. With leading banks providing access, Bitcoin is now going more mainstream. 

Louisiana State Treasurer, John Fleming, M.D. has announced that the state government will now accept Bitcoin, Bitcoin Lightning Network, and USD Coin, as a valid form of payment for state services. The first cryptocurrency payment was made to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries today.

Dr. Fleming, described this initiative as a crucial step in modernizing government operations, stating, “In today’s digital age, government systems must evolve and embrace new technologies. By introducing cryptocurrency as a payment option, we’re not just innovating; we’re providing our citizens with flexibility and freedom in interacting with state services.”

The Bitcoin payments will be converted into U.S. dollars by Bead Pay, a provider specializing in cryptocurrency conversion for government transactions. “The State of Louisiana will not handle cryptocurrency,” clarified the announcement. This system aims to ensure that the state is protected from the volatility commonly associated with digital currencies. The conversion process mirrors that of credit or debit card payments, minimizing risks while offering secure, efficient transactions.

Louisiana’s shift to accepting Bitcoin is a part of a broader effort to integrate new technologies into public services. “I have been proud to author several bills related to digital assets and to Chair the State Treasurer’s task force in 2022,” said Louisiana State Representative Mark Wright. “I’m excited to see Louisiana further expanding its payment options under Treasurer Fleming. I look forward to working with him and others so that Louisiana will continue to be a leader in accepting digital payments.”

Louisiana expects the new payment options to reduce fraud and enhance overall transaction security. Residents can now use their private Bitcoin wallets to pay for services, while the state continues to receive payments in U.S. dollars.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries was the first state agency to adopt the new payment system, with more departments expected to follow. “Offering our sportsmen more ways to interact with our department allows for us to enhance our customer service,” stated Secretary Madison Sheahan of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. “This is another step towards our goal of creating a modern and professional organization that better serves the sportsmen of the state.”