Electronics conglomerate Samsung reported that the company will begin trial production on their three nanometer (3nm) chips for application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). ASICs are currently the most efficient way to mine Bitcoin and Samsung’s new chip will help make the process more efficient and faster.

According to the report, PanSemi and Qualcomm, one of Samsung’s largest customers, have made reservations for the new manufacturing process. PanSemi is a Chinese ASIC manufacturing company that could see a competitive edge in their mining machines if the trial period is successful.

Currently Qualcomm is not committed to using the manufacturing process but has the option to do so at any point they wish. Qualcomm had a previous order for 4nm chips but the company canceled their order in February due to a lack of production from Samsung. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) was able to fulfill Qaulcomm’s high demand for chips during that period.

The new 3nm chip from Samsung is referred to as gate-all-around (GAA) which has gates on all four surfaces of the chip. Currently the most widely used process is FinFET, where only three surfaces are utilized. If the trial production is successful, Samsung’s new chip is reported to be a 45% area reduction with a 30% increase in efficiency.

The report states that Qualcomm plans on adding Samsung as another potential foundry for 3nm chips in the event that TSMC’s 3nm chip production faces issues.

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