Today, on the 6102 anniversary, we are kicking off the 2025 grant projects as a reminder that open-source code has enabled individuals with an asymmetric advantage against central control.
Here's how we are fulfilling our mission to dismantle the proprietary mining empire:
Ember One, a standardized ~100W hashboard that will eventually have multiple versions with ASICs from a number of manufacturers.
@`skot9000` is the lead developer with a background in EE & instigator of the Bitaxe.
The second grant cycle starts in May & concludes in October.
Hydra Pool, a one-click deployable pool package that will eventually support Stratum v2 & multiple payout models.
@`jungly` is the lead developer with a PhD in distributed systems, also developing P2Pool v2, & former Braidpool dev.
Grant cycle starts now and ends in September.
Libre Board, the control board for the Ember One mining system, features standardized connections for various compute modules, temperature sensors, relays, & more.
@`Schnitzel` is the lead dev as a heat reuse maximalist & entrepreneur.
Grant cycle starts now, ends in September.
Mujina Firmware, starting as the mining application for the Ember One, this will eventually be a full Linux image with Stratum V2 support.
@`rjk` is the lead dev with 20yrs embedded Linux systems design & a background in EE.
This grant cycle starts now, ends in December.
Block Watcher, we decided to pause this one for a number of reasons. Primarily, the other 4 projects are more central to our mission & given the early stages of the Foundation with the support level we have currently, it made more sense to deploy the capital where it counts most.
These 4 projects are critical pieces to a complete & fully open-source Bitcoin mining system that severs ties to a dependency on conglomerates like Bitmain; who have actively worked to stifle innovation. We believe these building blocks will unlock future development for years.
Please join us in congratulating our first cohort of grant recipients! We are looking forward to working with these devs to help ensure Bitcoin mining changes course for a free, open, & decentralized future.
You can learn more about the grant projects at:
256 Foundation
A Free Open Source Bitcoin Mining, Energy, & Education Initiative.
