Bitmain Launches New Crypto Mining Wi-Fi Routers

China’s Bitmain is expanding its crypto mining equipment portfolio, tweeting earlier this week about the launch of two new routers from its AntRouter R3 series. The devices can mine either Dash (DASH) or SiaCoin (SIA).

We are pleased to announce the #antrouter R3-DASH & R3-SIA, new miners from the R3 series that is also dual-function WiFi Router and Crypto Miner that can mine #dashcoin & #siacoin. Order here Dash: (https://t.co/bT7VM9FWUT) & Sia: (https://t.co/4WvlkK62Zc) now while stock lasts! pic.twitter.com/j7WhkShgJi — Antminer_main (@Antminer_main) August 6, 2018

As per the specifications disclosed, the routers can provide a wi-fi connection and mine cryptos at the same time although they do not appear to be very powerful. Rather, they are intended for those interested in dabbling in crypto mining without paying high electricity bills and shelling out for proper equipment.

With a relatively modest hash rate of 300M/s ± 5% for the Dash device and 11.54G/s ± 5% for the SiaCoin one, the routers could mine the equivalent of some pocket change for their owners. In comparison, the AntMiner Dash equipment of Bitmain has a hashrate of 17GH/s±5% and the AntMiner with Blake(2b) mining algorithm has a hashrate of 815GH/s±5%.

This is not the first time the mining equipment giant is offering crypto mining routers for home users. Last year, Bitmain launched the R1 AntRouter, which was capable of mining Bitcoin or LiteCoin. There is also an R2 AntRouter for LiteCoin.

Interestingly, the launch of Bitmain’s new products unfolds against the backdrop of cryptojacking malware spreading in Brazil via wi-fi routers. The malware exploits a firmware vulnerability to mine Monero without the knowledge of the PC owners.

One of Bitmain’s key competitors, Canaan Creative, announced this week it was launching a smart TV capable of crypto mining. Called AvalonMiner, the set will be able to process 2.8 trillion hashes per second.

Earlier in the week, Bitmain said it was building a crypto mining and blockchain data center in Texas and invested $3 million in blockchain company tribeOS, which focuses on combatting advertising fraud.