Over the past year, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) technology has advanced significantly, and this month, Shenzhen, China-based MicroBT introduced its latest mining machine boasting an unprecedented hash rate of 1,035 terahash per second (TH/s). This is equivalent to 1.35 petahashes per second (PH/s) of raw computing power.
MicroBT crosses the Petahash Rubicon with new Whatsminer
At the Bitcoin MENA 2025 conference held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, MicroBT announced the new M70 series. This machine positions the company alongside Bitmain as manufacturers of ASICs capable of delivering more than 1 petahash of SHA256 hashrate.
MicroBT Whatsminer M79S is a water-cooled Bitcoin mining machine that can achieve 1.35 PH/s. This number is slightly higher than Bitmain's Antminer S23 Hydro 3U, which generates 1.16 PH/s of hashing power. Currently, no mining machine on the market offers more full Petahash per second computing power than these two models.
The new Whatsminer draws about 20,000 watts from the wall and has an efficiency rating of about 14.8 joules per terahash (J/TH). Bitmain's S23 Hydro 3U is slightly less power hungry, consuming 11,020W, and its 9.5 J/TH rating reflects a more efficient design.
Its efficiency gives S23 Hydro 3U a slight advantage in current profitability. For example, on December 18, 2025, Bitmain's units are projected to generate approximately $33.21 in revenue per day, compared to an estimated $31.76 for Whatsminer M79S, based on popular hash price data. However, the M79S also includes a “normal mode” rather than an overclocking setting, and when operating in that configuration it draws 14,000W and delivers an efficiency rating of 13.5 J/TH.
Still, these two machines are the most profitable Bitcoin miners available today, marking the forefront of ASIC mining hardware as of late 2025, and competing head-to-head for deployment in large-scale industrial mining operations focused on maximizing throughput. This timing coincides with very tough mining economics, with hash prices hovering near all-time lows and operators increasing their reliance on high-efficiency machines to remain competitive.
Given its cutting-edge specifications, the M79S looks suitable for industrial-scale deployment in 2026. Its arrival coincides with a milestone moment for the network, when the hashrate exceeds 1 zetahash per second (ZH/s), equivalent to 1,000 exahash per second (EH/s). Bitcoin's hash rate will continue to strengthen as carriers begin deploying Petahash-class machines on a large scale.
Also read: Bitgo adds Lightning Network support to custody platform
But for now, miners remain under revenue pressure, with on-chain fees contributing less than 1% of block rewards, and BTC prices slipping into the $80,000 range by November 2025. Price increases have not helped miners' profits much so far as of mid-December.
In that sense, the M79S and S23 Hydro 3U are more than just vanity flexes, they're an indication of where mining is going next. As margins shrink and networks move deeper into the realm of zettahash, brute force alone can no longer carve it out, and efficiency, scale, and deployment discipline will now determine the winners and losers.
In the meantime, one thing is clear: Petahash class machines are no longer theoretical. They are here, they are competing, and they are quietly rewriting the economics of industrial Bitcoin mining for 2026.
Frequently asked questions ⚡
- What is MicroBT Whatsminer M79S?
MicroBT Whatsminer M79S is a water-cooled Bitcoin mining machine that can provide a SHA256 hash rate of 1.35 PH/s for industrial-scale operations. - How does the M79S compare to Bitmain's Antminer S23 Hydro 3U?
The M79S offers a higher overclocked raw hash rate, while Bitmain's S23 Hydro 3U uses less power and shows stronger efficiency metrics. - Why will Petahash class Bitcoin miners be important in 2025?
Petahash-enabled ASICs allow large-scale miners to remain competitive as Bitcoin's network hash rate exceeds 1 ZH/s and mining margins tighten. - When do you expect the M79S to be deployed on a large scale?
The M79S is positioned for widespread industrial deployment in 2026 as miners seek to control energy usage and achieve higher throughput.
