- Quantum Blockchain Technologies
- 24 March 2026 13:30:33
Source: Sharecast
The AIM-traded blockchain technology company said its internal project, launched in August 2025, had reached the testing phase using a Bitmain Antminer S9 mining rig as a demonstration environment for the software version of its Method C AI Oracle.
It said the initiative was intended to showcase the performance of the AI Oracle on an industry-recognised commercial mining rig, following feedback from US-based Bitcoin mining companies that real-world validation would broaden the technology’s commercial appeal.
Previously, the group had demonstrated performance improvements using a proprietary software simulator in its Milan laboratory.
QBT said it had modified both the operating system and FPGA firmware of the S9 to support installation of the AI Oracle, with testing progressing through data collection, system integration and live performance optimisation.
The company highlighted that the S9 was selected because it is the last Bitmain model to feature an open-source operating system and firmware, allowing full access for development, unlike newer models.
It said the testing programme was expected to support commercial discussions with potential customers, including large-scale Bitcoin miners and aftermarket control board providers.
The group said it was already in discussions with aftermarket manufacturers and expects access to their systems following commercial agreements.
QBT noted that testing was also underway on a separate third-party ASIC mining rig at its Milan laboratory, although results from that project could not be publicly disclosed.
Both initiatives represented the first commercial testing phase for the AI Oracle on physical mining hardware.
“I am extremely pleased with the results achieved so far, which show how the company has mastered the inner most details of all levels of a commercial mining rig,” said chief executive Francesco Gardin.
“The set-up of the AI Oracle on the S9 is a key milestone which has taken us from using Method C on a software simulator which QBT has been running in its Milan laboratory for over a year, to the full multi-ASIC mining rig.”
He added that the company believed demonstrating improved mining efficiency on a commercial rig “will open up a much larger target market for our products,” although it cautioned there was no guarantee at this stage that simulator results would fully translate to scaled deployment.
At 1230 GMT, shares in Quantum Blockchain Technologies were up 0.48% at 0.53p.
Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
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