Decoding Bitcoin Mining: A Conversation with Scot Johnson, CEO of Digital Shovel

2024 is expected to be an exciting year in the world of crypto. With the Bitcoin halving event likely occurring in April of this year, we sit down to discuss the industry with Scot Johnson.

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As the CEO of Digital Shovel, Scot provides unique insights as a provider of the infrastructure for Bitcoin miners. These major operations require proper power distribution, ventilation, and other critical factors to function efficiently. Let’s dig deeper into this discussion about Bitcoin mining, as well as the future of cryptocurrency.

The Journey of Digital Shovel

The discussion starts with Scot’s introduction to the industry. After dabbling with mining as a hobbyist in 2015 and 2016, he began building shipping containers that would house miners. One thing led to another and these data centers (that had been converted from shipping containers) became the backbone of Digital Shovel’s operations.

With the company being founded in 2018, everything is done in-house and has since evolved. They no longer use shipping containers but rather a dedicated design for efficiency.

Additionally, the software is done in-house and the designs are built to scale as miners expand. With this approach, a better service and product can be provided and as the halving approaches, miners may need to invest in more machines to maintain profits.
“Bitcoin halving events foster a more competitive environment as the miner reward is reduced from 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC per block reward. Digital Shovel is well-positioned to help these miners.”

Scot Johnson
The Solution to the 3-Piece Problem

As the talk continued, Scot introduced the concept of the 3-piece problem that Bitcoin miners face when starting their operations. The first problem is finding affordable power. Through working with Digital Shovel, finding a connection to a location with cheap energy is made easier.

The second problem is finding an infrastructure that goes around the miners. Without this, the risks of overheating and overspending are quite high. Here, Digital Shovel shines with its products such as the M300 Minipod, i300 Minipod, and NanoPOD. With optimized airflow, better energy distribution, and fresh ventilation, miners can focus on their operations without worrying about infrastructure issues.

The third problem is finding a reliable distributor for the miners themselves. This is important because as the halving approaches, outdated models must be replaced with newer and more efficient ones.

Whether it’s a Bitmain, MicroBT, Canaan, or any other brand, timing is crucial to profitability. In times of bear markets, many of these miners are cheaper than when the market is bullish. The model that is purchased must also fit within the infrastructure optimally.

Once this puzzle is solved, management is another key factor. Monitoring services and data hosting to keep an eye on miners’ operations at all hours of the day is important because when the miner is offline, it’s not producing. With these solutions in place, miners can maximize their operations and ultimately increase profitability, as long as management is efficient.

Mining BTC with Digital Sovel’s Turn-Key Pods

As you can see, there is a lot that goes into successful Bitcoin mining operations. Digital Shovel’s turn-key solution services to make it as simple for miners as possible. Their Pods are designed with small blocks to serve the start-up miners.

Although it’s not pocket change to start an operation, Digital Shovel dramatically lowers the barrier to entry. With just one click, you can enter the game and get everything you need to start mining when it comes to the housing and infrastructure of those precious miners.
“The NanoPOD for example, is only approx. $19,900. With the ability to house either 27 Bitmain S19 Miners or 35 Whatsminers, this is a great option for small to medium-sized operations.”

Scot Johnson
If you are someone who has access to cheap electricity but doesn’t have much space, the MicroPOD is perfect for you. With its compact size, even backyard mining is possible with this solution. This North American solution is flexible and aligns with Canadian and U.S. regulations. A safe and compliant mining site is important for responsible and sustainable operations.

With over 11,000 containers shipped across North America, Digital Shovel is positioned to innovate further as feedback from past clients helps to steer the company in the right direction. These upgrades are made possible because of their in-house approach. With fewer middlemen, the company can react quickly to market changes and customer needs.

Predictions For 2024-2029

Scot continues to share his predictions for the future of Bitcoin mining. Scot explains that he prefers to focus on the year ahead rather than making long-term predictions, but he does agree that the industry is rapidly growing and evolving.

Crypto evolves so fast that he feels unsure about what the industry will look like in 5 years, but some clear indications are showing for the months ahead. For one, “big players” are consolidating into the market. This is because better regulations and more acceptance are reducing the risks associated with mining.
“I predict that Bitcoin will be worth $100,000 towards the end of 2024.”

Scot Johnson
Of course, the having is expected to be a good indicator for price increase because with less supply entering into the market, the price for BTC should increase. Transaction fees are also increasing with a near-double increase for miners. This may help offset the decrease in block rewards for miners and make them even more profitable for the months to come.

Finally, the proposed Bitcoin-ETF has not been priced in according to Scot’s belief. If the approval goes through, the resulting capital flow into Bitcoin could have a major short-term impact on mining. The price of BTC is not the only thing that is expected to increase but also the fees because these institutions will want to rebalance their ETFs to properly display their transactions and may pay for faster confirmation times.

Recent Milestones For Digital Shovel

Internally, the company introduced a new array of machinery and equipment that is expected to help with circuit board assembly. This again lets the company have fast access to flexibility as more in-house parts means easier adaptability.

An automated powder coating line for their paint makes for a more durable product. And finally, the customizability of the pods has been upgraded as some of the nuts and bolts are easily adjustable for rearrangement.
“Digital Shovel is constantly improving and adapting to the changes in the market, making it a strong player in the mining industry.”

Scot Johnson
When it comes to client acquisition, the company also shipped its first products abroad to Africa and Australia. Clients are understanding the modular model of their products and it is helping them change their approach on how to scale their mining operations.

Final Thoughts

The Bitcoin mining industry is constantly evolving and Digital Shovel is at the forefront of these changes. With their innovative modular approach, they can adapt to various market conditions and provide efficient solutions for their clients.

The decrease in block rewards may pose a challenge, but with the potential increase in transaction fees and the influx of institutional investors through Bitcoin-ETF approval, companies like Digital Shovel are well-positioned to continue thriving in the industry.

As technology continues to advance, Digital Shovel will likely continue to push the boundaries and set new standards for efficient and sustainable Bitcoin mining operations.

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