Key Takeaways:
- Tether has partnered with Ocean mining pool to decentralize Bitcoin block construction and reduce reliance on major mining pools.
- Ocean’s open-source Datum protocol allows miners to build their own block templates, enhancing censorship resistance and operational independence.
- Tether will deploy Ocean’s software across its global mining sites, including in Africa and Latin America, as part of its $500M mining initiative.
Tether, the company behind the USDT stablecoin, has partnered with Ocean, a Bitcoin mining pool founded by core developer Luke Dashjr, to promote decentralization in Bitcoin mining.
This move aims to reduce the concentration of block-building power currently dominated by large pools like Foundry USA, AntPool, and ViaBTC.
“Deploying hashrate to OCEAN aligns with both our mining investments and our broader mission to fortify Bitcoin against centralizing forces.” @paoloardoino https://t.co/HeyB1ETecz pic.twitter.com/dDVJ93ccYg
— OCEAN (@ocean_mining) April 14, 2025
Ocean uses open-source Datum software, which allows miners to build their own block templates, enhancing autonomy and censorship resistance.
Tether will deploy Ocean’s technology across its global mining sites, including locations in Uruguay, Paraguay, El Salvador, and rural Africa.
This setup supports low-latency, on-site block creation and promotes both geographic and operational diversity.
The partnership aligns with Tether’s $500 million mining investment announced in late 2023.
Although Ocean currently holds a small share of the mining market—mining just nine blocks in the past week—it has earned 830 BTC in total rewards, with a recent hashrate of 18.3 EH/s.
With Tether’s support, Ocean’s influence is expected to grow, potentially reshaping the Bitcoin mining landscape by reducing reliance on centralized players and fostering a more decentralized, resilient network.