Every 10 minutes a new block is mined on the Bitcoin network… and every 10 minutes I take a moment to reflect:
Am I doing this out of want or out of conviction?
Am I doing this out of want or out of conviction?
Let’s call it Proof of Want — a way to express my genuine desire to actively take part in the network.
Yes, I want to mine a block, and that wish is just as valid as any other. But I'm not doing it just for the reward — I’m doing it in search of balance. A balance between that personal goal, the commitment to contribute real work, and the conviction to stay sovereign within the cycle of consensus. Even from a tiny corner of the network, I feel aligned with Bitcoin, with the network, and with myself.
All it takes is one chip to mine a block
I got myself a Bitaxe Gamma 601 – Solo Miner (BM1370) – 1.2 TH/s, an open-source, efficient, and fully transparent device that allows me to take part in the Bitcoin network directly — no middlemen. It uses around 10W of power, runs quietly, and operates autonomously. It’s powered by an ESP32 chip with a built-in screen. You can build it yourself or buy it pre-assembled.
My hash rate is a drop in the ocean, but it's mine. My node, my electricity, my sovereignty.
Balance: Proof of Want + Decentralization
Some call it a “lottery ticket” with nearly no chance of hitting a block, but the Bitaxe adds 1.2 TH/s to the network. It’s not much, true. But it's more than zero. It contributes to the goal of decentralizing the hash rate and making Bitcoin a more resilient, more open, and more ours network.
I don't have a warehouse full of ASICs.
I just have the desire to contribute, and in Bitcoin, that still counts.
I just have the desire to contribute, and in Bitcoin, that still counts.
Bitaxe + LN + SoloSatoshi = a smooth experience
I purchased the device from SoloSatoshi.com, using a coupon and getting an extra discount for paying via the Lightning Network (LN). The experience was seamless. It's great to see Bitcoin-native shops that encourage using BTC beyond just HODLing.
Real invoice from my Bitaxe Gamma 601 purchase at SoloSatoshi.com
Final price: $126.96 thanks to coupon + Lightning payment.
I went into this journey with my feet on the ground and my heart in the protocol.
I don’t know if I’ll ever mine a block — but in the meantime, every 10 minutes, I’m part of the most solid network on Earth.
I don’t know if I’ll ever mine a block — but in the meantime, every 10 minutes, I’m part of the most solid network on Earth.
And that, my friends, is priceless.
Thanks for reading. ⚡
Thanks for reading. ⚡