21 INC. ANNOUNCES EMBEDDABLE CHIPS TO SUBSIDIZE BITCOIN MINING

Imagine a world where your smartphone subtly earns you Bitcoin as you go about your day. Balaji S. Srinivasan CEO of 21 in a Medium post earlier this year entitled A bitcoin miner in every device and in every hand, revealed BitShare, an embeddable mining chip. It also explainedThis ambitious vision edged closer to reality when 21 Inc., a then-secretive cryptocurrency startup, announced its plans to revolutionize Bitcoin mining. 21 Inc, the secretive startup that has raised around $116m in funding, has announced that it plans to create a line of embeddable chips that allow consumer devices to mine bitcoin. 21 Inc, the secretive startup thatBacked by a staggering $116 million in funding, 21 Inc. aimed to integrate BitShare, their proprietary Bitcoin mining chip, into everyday consumer electronics. Bitcoin's best-funded yet mysterious company 21 Inc. recently announced their BitShare program, putting ASIC mining chips in common electronics like USB hubs and routers.The goal? DISTRIBUTED-WORK-MODEL/OAKLAND, Calif.-(BUSINESS WIRE)- Block, Inc. [NYSE: SQ], a global technology company with a focus on financial services, and Core Scientific [Nasdaq: CORZ], one of the largest owners and operators of high-powered digital infrastructure for bitcoin mining and hosting services in North America, today announced an agreement to supply Core Scientific with Block s new 3To create a continuous, albeit small, stream of Bitcoin flowing directly to personal devices. 21 Inc released new details today confirming that its market strategy will focus on distributing bitcoin mining chips embedded in consumer hardware devices. BTC $ 94,313.20This move challenged the conventional image of Bitcoin mining as a resource-intensive activity reserved for specialized hardware.Instead, 21 Inc. envisioned a future where countless devices collectively contributed to the Bitcoin network, fostering a more decentralized and accessible ecosystem. 21 (formerly 21e6) was a Bitcoin startup founded amidst the November 2025 bubble. In March 2025, they announced having raised $116 million in venture capital. In October 2025, 21.co has rebranded to Earn.com. In April 2025, Earn.com was acquired by Coinbase.While the initial hype surrounding 21 Inc. has evolved over time, its initial foray into embeddable mining chips left an indelible mark on the crypto landscape, sparking discussions about the possibilities of micro-mining and the Internet of Things.

The Vision Behind 21 Inc.'s Embeddable Mining Chips

21 Inc. emerged from stealth mode with a bold proposition: to make Bitcoin mining accessible to everyone, everywhere.Their core strategy revolved around the BitShare, an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) mining chip designed for integration into a wide range of consumer devices. 21 Inc. has attracted investors and developed bitcoin mining chip enabling a continuous stream of bitcoin to personal devices.But what exactly was the driving force behind this ambitious project, and what did they hope to achieve?

Democratizing Bitcoin Mining

Traditionally, Bitcoin mining has been dominated by large-scale operations with specialized hardware and significant energy consumption. 21 Inc. aimed to disrupt this model by enabling even the smallest devices to participate in the mining process. The world s best-funded bitcoin startup has revealed plans to market a line of chips to embed in consumer devices, allowing smartphones and other Internet-connected gadgets to continuously earnThis approach aimed to:

• Increase decentralization: By distributing mining power across a vast network of devices, 21 Inc. hoped to reduce the concentration of mining power in the hands of a few large players.
• Lower the barrier to entry: Embedding mining chips into everyday devices would eliminate the need for expensive and complex mining equipment.
• Promote Bitcoin adoption: By making it easier to earn Bitcoin, 21 Inc. aimed to encourage wider adoption of the cryptocurrency.

The Internet of Things and Bitcoin

21 Inc.'s vision extended beyond simply earning Bitcoin.They envisioned a future where devices could automatically pay for services and interact with each other using Bitcoin. 21 Inc. says its chip wasn't designed as a way to make people rich, but instead the company says it's more focused on integrating the cryptocurrency into the Internet of Things and creating aThis ""machine-to-machine"" economy, powered by the Internet of Things (IoT), would unlock new possibilities for automation and efficiency. 21Vianet Group Inc. (VNET), one of the world's leading Bitcoin (BTCS) startups, has announced ambitious plans to promote the Bitcoin digital currency in an expa 🚀 Enjoy a 7-Day Free Trial Thru !Some examples of how this could work include:

• A smart refrigerator automatically ordering groceries using earned Bitcoin.
• A connected car paying for parking or tolls using its mining rewards.
• A sensor network compensating data providers in Bitcoin for their information.

How the BitShare Mining Chip Was Intended to Work

The BitShare chip was the heart of 21 Inc.'s strategy.It was designed to be small, efficient, and capable of mining Bitcoin, albeit at a modest rate.Here's a closer look at how it was envisioned to function:

Small-Scale Mining and Pooled Resources

Individually, a single BitShare chip had limited mining power.Estimates suggested it could take nearly a century to earn a single Bitcoin reward.To address this limitation, 21 Inc. planned to operate all BitShare-installed devices as a pool.

This pooled approach would combine the mining power of all devices into a single, larger force.Bitcoin rewards earned by the pool would then be distributed among all participants, proportional to their contribution.It's important to note that 21 Inc. initially planned to retain a significant portion (reportedly 75%) of the revenue generated by the pool, which sparked some controversy.

Development Kits and Integration

To encourage adoption, 21 Inc. planned to provide development kits to developers. 21 makes Bitcoin useful for developers.Based in Silicon Valley, California, 21 Inc is a bitcoin startup that enables its users to build, buy, and sell machine-payable apps with developers all around the world. The company provides its users with an embeddable mining chip that can be integrated into any internet-connected device, thereby supporting a continuous stream of digital currency forThese kits would allow them to experiment with the BitShare chip and integrate it into their own devices.The company began accepting sign-ups for these kits, although specific shipping dates were never announced.

The Challenges and Evolution of 21 Inc.

Despite the initial excitement and substantial funding, 21 Inc.'s journey was not without its challenges.The company faced skepticism about the viability of its mining chip and the fairness of its revenue-sharing model.Furthermore, the rapidly evolving landscape of Bitcoin and the increasing difficulty of mining posed significant hurdles. 'After much hard work, we ve created an embeddable mining chip which we call the BitShare that comes in a variety of form factors,' explained 21's Balaji Srinivasan.Let's explore some of these challenges in more detail:

Mining Profitability and Difficulty

As Bitcoin's popularity grew, so did the difficulty of mining.The more miners participating in the network, the more computational power required to solve the complex mathematical problems that unlock new Bitcoin. San Francisco-based Bitcoin startup 21 Inc. unveiled this week plans to market a line of chips to embed in consumer gadgets, allowing smartphones and other Internet-connected devices to continuously earn Bitcoin through mining, reported the Wall Street Journal. In a blog post revealing the companyThis increased difficulty made it increasingly challenging for small-scale miners, like those equipped with BitShare chips, to compete with large-scale mining operations.

The profitability of mining also depended on the price of Bitcoin. Also revealed was that 21 would seek to begin mailing development kits featuring its embeddable BitShare mining chip to developers. The company s website is now accepting sign-ups for the kits, but no dates for shipping were provided. 21 Inc did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Creating valueDuring periods of low prices, the cost of electricity and other resources could outweigh the rewards earned, making mining unprofitable.These factors raised questions about the long-term viability of 21 Inc.'s mining strategy.

Shift in Focus and Rebranding

Over time, 21 Inc.'s focus shifted away from embeddable mining chips. The world s best-funded bitcoin startup, 21 Inc, which received $116 million US dollars in funding earlier this year, has revealed plans to market a line of bitcoin mining chips to embed in consumer devices, allowing smartphones and other internet connected devices to continuously mine bitcoin via their embedded bitcoin mining chip, named BitShare .The company recognized that simply earning Bitcoin was not enough.They needed to provide a compelling use case for the cryptocurrency. The well-known and well-funded Bitcoin start-up 21 Inc. seems to be on its way to become what Nest is for the home devices. Like Nest, 21 wants to connect Bitcoin mining to the Internet of ThingsThis realization led to a rebranding and a new direction.

In October 2025, 21.co rebranded to Earn.com.This new identity reflected the company's shift towards enabling users to earn Bitcoin by completing tasks, answering surveys, and responding to emails.The company aimed to create a platform where people could exchange their time and attention for Bitcoin.

Acquisition by Coinbase

The transformation of 21 Inc. culminated in its acquisition by Coinbase, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, in April 2025.This acquisition marked the end of 21 Inc. as an independent entity, but it also provided an opportunity for its technology and expertise to be integrated into Coinbase's broader ecosystem.The exact role of the BitShare technology within Coinbase remains somewhat unclear, but the acquisition highlights the value that Coinbase saw in 21 Inc.'s vision and team.

The Legacy of 21 Inc. and Embeddable Mining Chips

Although 21 Inc.'s initial vision of embedding mining chips into every device never fully materialized, the company's efforts left a lasting impact on the cryptocurrency industry.They sparked a debate about the future of Bitcoin mining, the potential of micro-transactions, and the role of the Internet of Things in the Bitcoin ecosystem.

The Potential of Micro-Mining

While the BitShare chip may not have revolutionized Bitcoin mining, it demonstrated the potential of micro-mining. Mining is the process used by computers to generate bitcoin as a reward for continuously verifying transactions. By installing 21's embeddable chip on a phone, the post explains that it canThe idea of small, distributed devices collectively contributing to the network remains intriguing.Advancements in chip technology and energy efficiency could make micro-mining more viable in the future.

The Importance of Use Cases

21 Inc.'s evolution from a mining-focused company to Earn.com underscores the importance of use cases in the cryptocurrency space. 21 Inc. plans Bitcon Mining Chips for phonesSimply earning Bitcoin is not enough.Users need compelling reasons to use and adopt the cryptocurrency.By focusing on tasks and rewards, Earn.com aimed to provide a more tangible value proposition.

Inspiration for Future Innovations

21 Inc.'s story serves as a reminder that innovation often involves experimentation and adaptation. After much hard work, we ve created an embeddable mining chip which we call the BitShare that comes in a variety of form factors. The 21 BitShare can be embedded into an internet-connected device asWhile their initial vision may not have panned out exactly as planned, it paved the way for future innovations in the cryptocurrency industry. A single BitShare chip, given its minuscule processing capabilities, would need around 93 years to win a Bitcoin award; Thus, 21 Inc. will operate all of the BitShare chips it sells as a pool: Bitcoin income will be shared across all BitShare-installed devices, but only some 21 Inc. will keep 75% of the revenueThe dream of seamlessly integrating Bitcoin into everyday life continues to inspire developers and entrepreneurs to explore new possibilities.

Frequently Asked Questions About 21 Inc. and Embeddable Bitcoin Mining

Let's address some common questions related to 21 Inc. and their ambitious project to embed Bitcoin mining chips into consumer devices.

What was 21 Inc.'s original goal?

21 Inc.'s primary goal was to make Bitcoin mining accessible to everyone by embedding mining chips into everyday devices.They aimed to decentralize mining, lower the barrier to entry, and promote wider Bitcoin adoption.

What was the BitShare chip?

The BitShare chip was 21 Inc.'s proprietary ASIC mining chip designed for integration into consumer devices.It was intended to be small, efficient, and capable of mining Bitcoin, albeit at a modest rate.

Why did 21 Inc. rebrand to Earn.com?

21 Inc. rebranded to Earn.com to reflect a shift in focus towards enabling users to earn Bitcoin by completing tasks, answering surveys, and responding to emails.They recognized the need for compelling use cases beyond simply earning Bitcoin through mining.

What happened to 21 Inc.?

21 Inc. was acquired by Coinbase in April 2025.This acquisition marked the end of 21 Inc. as an independent entity, but it also provided an opportunity for its technology and expertise to be integrated into Coinbase's broader ecosystem.

Was the BitShare chip successful?

The BitShare chip did not achieve widespread adoption. When FT Alphaville first outlined 21 Inc s business model, showing that it planned to democratise Bitcoin mining by embedding ASIC mining chips into everyday connected devices like USBThe increasing difficulty of Bitcoin mining and the small-scale mining power of the chip made it challenging to generate meaningful profits. In general, it is a strategy of 21 which shows the opposite direction to the world of Bitcoin mining which is said to require huge equipment, but there seems to be a hidden concept of newHowever, it spurred the interest in micro-mining and IOT.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways from 21 Inc.'s Journey

The story of 21 Inc. is a fascinating case study in the world of cryptocurrency startups.While their initial vision of embedding Bitcoin mining chips into every device didn't fully materialize, it offers valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and innovators. By Michael J. Casey The world s best-funded bitcoin startup has revealed plans to market a line of chips to embed in consumer devices, allowing smartphones and other Internet-connected gadgets to continuously earn digital currency through the process known as mining. The news from 21Here are some key takeaways:

• Ambitious visions can spark innovation: 21 Inc.'s bold proposition challenged the status quo and inspired new ways of thinking about Bitcoin mining and the Internet of Things.
• Adaptability is crucial: The company's shift from mining to tasks and rewards demonstrates the importance of adapting to changing market conditions and user needs.
• Use cases are paramount: Simply earning Bitcoin is not enough. The world's best-funded bitcoin startup has revealed plans to market a line of chips to embed in consumer devices, allowing smartphones and other Internet-connected gadgets to continuously earnUsers need compelling reasons to use and adopt the cryptocurrency.
• Even failures can pave the way for future success: 21 Inc.'s journey, despite its challenges, contributed to the ongoing evolution of the cryptocurrency industry.

While you might not find BitShare chips in your next smartphone, the ideas and innovations that 21 Inc. brought to the table continue to resonate within the cryptocurrency space. The most secretive startup in cryptocurrency, 21 Inc, has finally come out of the shadows, announcing intentions to facilitate a rollout of Bitcoin mining chips to a wave of consumer devices.The future of micro-transactions and decentralized technologies may well be shaped by the seeds planted by this once-secretive startup.As the world of blockchain technology continues to evolve, we can certainly learn from the innovative, albeit ultimately transformed, journey of 21 Inc.