Mining hardware outlook for 2019 looks dim

DigiTimes reports makers of cryptocurrency mining ASICs are conservative about business prospects for the segment in 2019. After last year's bust of the cryptocurrency bubble, the mining ASIC supply chain players are now looking for business opportunities from other blockchain application segment.

Bitmain is reportedly to carry out a major layoff plan to bring down its operating costs to counter stagnant crypto mining business, and securities authorities have reportedly expressed doubts about the firm's planned IPO launch, originally slated for late 2018.

Also, Japan's GMO Internet announced on December 25 its decision to quit the development, production and sales of all virtual currency mining equipment in 2019. The company also posted losses totaling JPY35.5 billion (US$324.55 million) from its cryptocurrency mining business for fiscal fourth-quarter 2018 (ended December 31, 2018).

Another piece about mining hardware can be read at AnandTech. The tech enthusiast site highlights the significant price drops of mining hardware. The crypto bubble drove up prices of motherboards, power supplies and GPUs, and now we're seeing prices at much lowel levels.

For example, here's a look at the price evolution of some of those specialized mining motherboards:

The ASUS B250 Mining Expert used to cost from $400 to $600 about a year ago, but right now it is possible to get it for $58 - $78. The situation is similar with the MSI B360-F PRO: it used to cost $200 in May, but now it can be obtained for $63 - $96. Biostar’s TB250-BTC supports “only” eight GPUs, yet it used to cost $250 - $320 from December 2017 to February 2018. By contrast, today it is priced at around $60.

Good luck flogging those boards these days.