Bitmain Unveils 1.16 PH/s Monster Antminer S23 Hydro 3U: ASIC Arms Race Enters New Era
The performance revolution in Bitcoin mining is entering its peak phase as Bitmain announces a new ASIC miner with a hash rate exceeding one petahash, a historic milestone for the global cryptocurrency industry.
The Threshold of the Petahash Era: Antminer S23 Hydro 3U Officially Unveiled
At the recent World Digital Mining Summit, Bitmain once again demonstrated its leadership in the mining hardware industry by announcing the Antminer S23 Hydro 3U, a machine capable of processing up to 1.16 petahashes per second (PH/s), equivalent to 1,160 terahashes per second (TH/s), with an incredible efficiency of only 9.5 joules/TH.
This new “monster” not only surpasses all devices on the market in terms of power, but is also designed with an advanced hydraulic cooling system, ensuring durable operation at high capacity. The power consumption of the machine is at 11,020W, which is considered optimal when compared to the power it provides.
From S19 XP to S23 Hydro 3U: An unprecedented race in power and performance
Just a few years ago, models like Antminer S19 XP Hyd (255 TH/s) or Whatsminer M53S++ (320 TH/s) were considered the performance benchmark. However, Bitmain has been continuously breaking the limit with each generation:
S21 XP+ Hydro (2024): 500 TH/s 11 J/TH
Antminer S23 Hydro (2025): 580 TH/s 9.5 J/TH
And now the S23 Hydro 3U (2026): 1.16 PH/s 9.5 J/TH
This development is no longer linear evolution but has entered an exponential breakthrough phase, signaling a real “arms race” in the Bitcoin mining industry.
Potential profits and market impact
With a stable electricity price of around $0.06/kWh, according to current estimates, the Antminer S23 Hydro 3U can bring in a daily profit of up to $45.14, surpassing any device currently on the market. This not only makes it the number one choice for large-scale mining farms, but it could also upset the global competitive balance.
The Implication: Bitcoin Mining Could Become a “Giant’s Game”
The advent of powerful devices like the S23 Hydro 3U poses a major challenge for individual miners and small businesses. As block rewards continue to decline and operating costs continue to rise, only those with the most advanced technology will be able to maintain profitability and compete effectively.
Industrial mining farms with thousands of high-performance ASICs can expand their advantage disproportionately, making mining more inaccessible than ever for retail investors.
The Future of Mining: Performance or Legacy?
Bitmain has opened a new chapter for the Bitcoin mining industry. With huge strides in performance and productivity, the future of mining seems to be moving towards a lean and specialized ecosystem where technology and energy efficiency are the ultimate weapons.
The Antminer S23 Hydro 3U is more than just a new device; it represents the evolution of a multi-billion dollar industry. And with the race still on, the big question is: who will reach 2 PH/s first?