Update following Nashville Bitcoin Conference
Summary by AI BETAClose X
4 February 2026
Quantum Blockchain Technologies Plc
(“QBT” or “the Company”)
General Update following Nashville Bitcoin Conference
Quantum Blockchain Technologies plc (AIM: QBT), the AIM-listed investment company, reports on developments following its attendance at the Nashville Energy & Mining Summit (NEMS26) at Bitcoin Park on 22nd and 23rd January 2026.
The gathering saw key representatives of the Bitcoin industry attending as participants, allowing QBT’s management team to engage with those ASIC manufacturers which have signed NDAs with the Company. These discussions were focused on the timing for the delivery of both hardware and software from these potential customers and commercial partners. It should be noted that partial access to source code has already been granted to the Company.
The Company also held in-depth discussions with other key Bitcoin industry players who were present. These meetings were made possible as QBT is now being perceived and recognised by the industry as a forerunner in the use of AI technology being applied to SHA-256 optimisation, i.e., the core algorithm for Bitcoin mining.
During the same event, the 256 Foundation, whose stated mission is to “ Dismantle the proprietary mining empire to make Bitcoin and freedom tech nology accessible to anyone” presented a working ‘open source’ real-time mining system, using three EmberOne hashing boards, comprising 36 ASICs in total. This launch represented the first implementation of a Bitcoin-mining stack, i.e., a complete open software and hardware publicly available design made from the following open-source components:
- Hashing board (EmberOne),
- Control board (Libre Board),
- Firmware (Mujina), and a
- Mining Pool (HydraPool)
This is a significant milestone for the Bitcoin industry as it finally opens access for any system designer to assemble a complete mining rig, using an open-source framework which is readily accessible. This differs radically from the current industrial model of existing Bitcoin mining systems which comprises of a closed ‘black-box’ hardware / software, mainly to protect the products of the rig manufacturers and which has historically delayed the development of the sector, due to the need to reverse engineer existing chips or, by needing to develop an entire hardware / software Bitcoin mining system.
The Company, through its US consultants, maintains excellent relations with key 256 Foundation members.
QBT is, therefore, allocating part of its existing resources to master all elements of the 256 Foundation Bitcoin-mining stack, in order to quickly implement its Methods onto this breakthrough environment, when new mining rigs are launched by system integrators later this year.
Francesco Gardin, CEO and Executive Chairman of QBT, commented , “We are now entering our fourth year of attending US Bitcoin mining events. Bitcoin Park, which we have attended since 2024, provides QBT with the necessary visibility in the sector to all the most important players which represent QBT’s potential future partners and clients.
“The central role played by the US Bitcoin community in the development of this growing crypto ecosystem is unique, hence our constant presence at US-based events like this one.
“QBT’s adoption of the 265 Foundation Bitcoin mining stack as one of the reference development environments for its three Methods adds an additional target platform totally independent from specific manufacturers. While we will continue to work with those ASIC designers and Bitcoin miners in order to develop a collaborative partnership for our Methods, we welcome the 256 Foundation’s open-source attitude as fundamental towards the development of much needed standards for Bitcoin mining-rig development.”
For further information please contact:
Quantum Blockchain Technologies Plc +39 335 296573
Francesco Gardin, CEO and Executive Chairman
SP Angel Corporate Finance (Nominated Adviser & Broker) +44 (0) 20 3470 0470
Jeff Keating
Leander (Financial PR) +44 (0) 7795 168 157
Christian Taylor-Wilkinson
About Quantum Blockchain Technologies Plc
QBT (AIM: QBT) is a London Stock Exchange AIM listed Research & Development and investing company focused on an intensive R&D programme to disrupt the Blockchain Technologies sector which includes, cryptocurrency mining and other advanced blockchain applications. The primary goal of the R&D programme is to develop Bitcoin mining tools and techniques, via its technology-driven approach, which the Company believes will significantly outperform existing market practices.
Glossary of Terms
ASIC : An Application-Specific Integrated Circuit is an integrated circuit chip customized for a particular use, rather than intended for general-purpose use. ASIC chips are typically fabricated using metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) technology, as MOS integrated circuit chips.
SHA-256 : Secure Hashing Algorithm (SHA)-256 is the hash function and mining algorithm of the Bitcoin protocol, referring to the cryptographic hash function that outputs a 256 bits long value.
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