Open-Source Projects
The 256 Foundation defines and funds four core pillar projects building a complete, open-source Bitcoin mining stack. We may also fund additional open grants as the ecosystem grows. This page is a log of all funded projects.
Grant Log
A public record of all grants funded by the 256 Foundation
| Project | Grantee | Category | License | Duration | Start Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ember One | Skot | Hardware | CERN-OHL-S | 6 months | 2024-07-01 | Active |
| Mujina | Ryan Kuester | Software | GPLv3 | 9 months | 2024-07-01 | Active |
| Libre Board | Schnitzel | Hardware | CERN-OHL-S | 6 months | 2025-04-05 | Active |
| Hydrapool | Jungly | Software | AGPLv3 | 6 months | 2024-07-01 | Active |
All grants are denominated and disbursed in Bitcoin. Apply for a grant →
Pillar Projects
Core funded projects building the open Bitcoin mining stack
Ember One
Open-source Bitcoin mining hashboard reference design
Ember One is a fully open-source hardware reference design for a Bitcoin mining hashboard. It provides the foundational blueprint that individual miners, researchers, and companies can build upon — breaking the dependency on proprietary designs.
Mujina
The Linux kernel of Bitcoin mining firmware
Mujina is an actively maintained, open-source Bitcoin mining firmware designed to be a drop-in replacement for proprietary firmware on existing hardware — while also serving as the standard for new open hardware designs.
Libre Board
Open-source hardware Bitcoin miner control board
Libre Board is an open-source hardware control board for Bitcoin miners, designed to run Mujina firmware and Linux-based tools. It enables hardware hackers to build custom mining setups — from standard pool mining to hashrate heating and solar-powered mining.
Hydrapool
One-click deployable open-source Bitcoin mining pool
Hydrapool is a fully open-source Bitcoin mining pool software package that can be deployed with a single command. It supports multiple payout structures, Stratum V1/V2 protocols, and is designed to make running a mining pool accessible to individuals, communities, and organizations.
Ecosystem
The 256 Foundation is the parent organization for the following open-source projects and communities. They operate independently but are part of the foundation's broader mission to decentralize Bitcoin mining.
The world's first fully open-source Bitcoin ASIC miner — open hardware, open firmware, open everything. Anyone can build one, modify it, or manufacture it. The direct inspiration for the 256 Foundation.
A global community of developers and builders creating open-source Bitcoin mining hardware and software — including Bitaxe, NerdAxe, AxeOS, Piaxe, and more. Fully open designs that anyone can build, change, and improve.
Marrying the Bitcoin mining and heating sectors to accelerate adoption of hashrate heating — building the standards, education, and infrastructure to bring mining back to homes and businesses.
An open-source project that runs Bitcoin ASIC hashboards directly from DC power sources like solar panels and batteries — no AC grid required. Unlocking stranded energy for Bitcoin mining worldwide.
An open-source Rust library for communicating with Bitcoin mining ASICs. It standardizes the low-level protocol interface so firmware developers can build miner software without reverse-engineering proprietary hardware layers.
256Foundation on GitHub
More Than What's Funded
Development in the 256 Foundation ecosystem doesn't stop at core pillar projects and ecosystem partners. Just because a project isn't actively funded doesn't mean development has stopped. Browse our full organization on GitHub — some are pillar projects, some are ecosystem tools, and others are community contributions and experiments pushing the open mining stack forward.