Bitcoin Miner CleanSpark Buys 12,500 Bitmain Machines for $40.5M

The company has been busy scooping up assets during the crypto bear market, but discounts may be slimming.

AccessTimeIconJun 1, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. UTC
Updated Jun 1, 2023 at 2:29 p.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now

CleanSpark (CLSK) has purchased another 12,500 bitcoin mining rigs for $40.5 million, the latest in a series of purchases during the market slump, according to a Thursday press release.

The machines will add 1.76 exahash/second (EH/s) of computing power, or hashrate, to CleanSpark's operations, bringing them closer to their target of 16 EH/s for the end of 2023. As of the end of April, the firm's hashrate stood at 6.7 EH/s.

  • What's the Biggest Misconception People Have About Bitcoin Mining?
    00:39
    What's the Biggest Misconception People Have About Bitcoin Mining?
  • What You Need to Know About the Bitcoin Halving
    01:47
    What You Need to Know About the Bitcoin Halving
  • Bitcoin Miner Bitfarms Warns of Default
    04:20
    Bitcoin Miner Bitfarms Warns of Default
  • How Bitcoin Mining Got 'Even More Competitive' In 2022: Analyst
    01:17
    How Bitcoin Mining Got 'Even More Competitive' In 2022: Analyst
  • The first 6,000 Bitmain Antminer S19 XP machines will be shipped by the manufacturer in June, and the remainder in August, the press release said.

    CleanSpark has been buying assets from distressed miners during the crypto bear market that has seen a number major mining firms declare bankruptcy or otherwise restructure. In April, for instance, the miner purchased 45,000 Antminer S19 XPs – enough to double its hashrate – and in February, it acquired 20,000 rigs at a 25% discount.

    The machines were bought at a price of $23 per terahash (TH) versus a market rate of $23.27/TH for models with efficiency under 25 J/TH on May 31, according to mining services firm Luxor Technologies. The S19 XPs purchased by CleanSpark, however, have an efficiency of 21.5 J/TH, making the market price likely higher than what Luxor is quoting. Compass Mining lists a price of $37/TH for the model.

    CORRECTION (June 1, 14:00 UTC): Clarifies data from Luxor Technologies on machine prices, adds data point from Compass.

    Edited by Stephen Alpher.

    Disclosure

    Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

    CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.

    Eliza Gkritsi

    Eliza Gkritsi is a CoinDesk contributor focused on the intersection of crypto and AI.


    Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.