The NMAxe is an open-source, BM1366 ASIC chip-based solo lottery miner, derived from the Bitaxe project. It's designed specifically for individuals aiming to mine Bitcoin and other SHA-256 cryptocurrencies independently, offering a chance to win the full block reward.
Overview
The NMAxe, developed by NMMiner Official, is a compact mining board integrating a BM1366 ASIC, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. It provides a high-efficiency, standalone mining experience with minimal power consumption, making it an ideal choice for solo miners hoping to secure a Bitcoin block reward.
Key Objectives
- Standalone Operation: Mine directly to pools via Wi-Fi without needing an external computer.
- Embedded Design: Offers low cost, minimal maintenance, high availability, reliability, and low power usage (under 15W).
- ASIC Efficiency: Utilizes the highly efficient BM1366 ASIC from Bitmain.
Understanding the BM1366 ASIC
The BM1366 is a SHA256d mining ASIC from Bitmain, though it is not extensively documented. This same chip is used in powerful miners like the Antminer S19XP and S19k Pro. Bitmain claims an impressive efficiency rating of 0.021J/GH for the BM1366.
Software and Firmware
The device runs on fully open-source software called ESP-Miner-NMAxe. This software is an adaptation of the open-source ESP-Miner project, specifically optimized for the BM1366 chip and NMAxe hardware.
To obtain the official firmware, you can download it from NMTech’s GitHub repository. Alternatively, you can use the convenient web flash tool to program your device directly.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Origin | Mainland China |
| Integrated Features | Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) |
| Device Management | Web service (Axe OS) / NMController |
| Master Chip | ESP32-S3FN8 (Xtensa® 32-bit LX7 Dual-Core processor) |
| ASIC | BM1366 |
| Hash Rate | 500 ~ 550 GH/s |
| Wi-Fi Standard | 802.11 b/g/n (up to 150 Mbps) |
| Power Supply Range | 9V/2.5A ~ 12V/2A |
| Display | 1.14-inch TFT-LCD (135x240 resolution, 262k colors) |
| Supply Mode | DC or PD3.0 (DC adapter and PD charger supported) |
| Memory | 384KB ROM; 512KB SRAM; 16MB SPI Flash |
| Power Interface | Type-C USB / DC2.0 |
| Power Consumption | 15~20W |
| Operating Temperature | -20°C to 70°C |
| Weight | 0.33 kg |
| Adapter Standards | USA, EU, UK, AUS |
| Adapter Type | PD, DC |
Supported Solo Pools and Cryptocurrencies
The NMAxe supports any cryptocurrency using the SHA256d algorithm. You can connect it to several solo mining pools:
- nmpool: Currently supports XEC solo mining (Recommended).
- Molopool: Supports Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash (BCH), XEC, and DigiByte (DGB).
- solopool: Supports BCH, XEC, and DGB.
- MineMine: Supports BCH, XEC, and DGB.
👉 Explore more strategies for solo mining
Understanding Lottery Mining and Potential Income
Solo mining, often called "lottery mining," involves an individual miner attempting to solve a block alone to claim the entire reward. The potential income and difficulty vary significantly between cryptocurrencies.
Bitcoin (BTC) Lottery
- Reward: ~3.125 BTC (approx. $220,000+)
- Difficulty: Extremely High (10/10)
- Frequency: A new block is drawn every 10 minutes. While highly unlikely for a single device, data from pools like CK Pool shows a solo winner emerges roughly every month across the entire network.
Bitcoin Cash (BCH) Lottery
- Reward: ~$1,000
- Difficulty: Approximately 1/180th of Bitcoin's difficulty.
eCash (XEC) Lottery
- Reward: ~$60
- Difficulty: Approximately 1/3300th of Bitcoin's difficulty.
DigiByte (DGB) Lottery
- Reward: ~$2.50
- Difficulty: Approximately 1/100,000th of Bitcoin's difficulty.
Configuration and Management
Easy Configuration via Web Flash Tool
The NMMiner web flash tool simplifies the setup process.
To Update Firmware:
- Step 1: Select your device type from the tool, connect to it, and initiate the programming process.
- Step 2: Once the miner is running, input your Wi-Fi SSID, password, and payout Bitcoin address. If configured correctly, you will see hash rate data reported in the console.
For Console Access Only:
If you don't need a firmware update, simply check the "Console only" option. The miner will start, and you can proceed with the configuration as described in Step 2 above.
Advanced Management Tools
For managing multiple devices, NMMiner offers cluster management tools:
- NMController_client: A Windows application available as an MSI installer for x64 and x86 systems.
- NMController_web: A Python-based implementation compatible with Windows and Mac systems.
The device also includes a local management system called Axe OS, which provides a dashboard for monitoring system status and configuring device parameters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is solo mining?
Solo mining is the process where an individual miner uses their own hardware to try and solve a cryptographic block alone. If successful, they receive the entire block reward instead of sharing a portion from a pooled mining effort.
Is the NMAxe profitable?
The NMAxe is best viewed as a lottery ticket rather than a source of steady income. While its power consumption is low (~15W), the probability of a single unit solving a Bitcoin block is extremely small. It is primarily for educational purposes and the excitement of potentially winning a large reward.
What do I need to start mining with the NMAxe?
You need the NMAxe unit, a compatible 12V power adapter (USB-PD or DC), a stable Wi-Fi connection, and a valid cryptocurrency address for the coin you wish to mine solo (e.g., a Bitcoin address for BTC mining).
Can I mine any other algorithms with the BM1366?
No, the BM1366 ASIC chip is designed specifically for the SHA-256 algorithm. This means it can only mine cryptocurrencies that use this algorithm, such as Bitcoin (BTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), and eCash (XEC).
What happens if I flash other firmware or lose my license?
The device is designed to be recoverable. Using the official web flash tool, you can reinstall the NMMiner firmware. For official NMMiner Inside devices, no activation is needed after reflashing.
How do I monitor my miner's performance?
You can monitor your miner through the built-in Axe OS web dashboard accessible via its IP address on your local network, or through the console of the web flash tool. The small LCD screen on the device also displays basic status information. For a deeper analysis of your potential earnings, you can 👉 view real-time tools and calculators.