Our CEO Kent Halliburton joined Parker Lewis on Center of Hash, a TFTC original podcast, to talk about why mining isn’t just an industry — it’s Bitcoin’s foundation.
From decentralizing energy to building trust through aligned incentives, Kent unpacked what makes Sazmining unique, why wild sats matter, and how Bitcoin miners are manufacturing the future of money.
From Solar Power to Hash Power
Kent’s path to Bitcoin started with rooftop solar, where he spent a decade building distributed energy systems and competing with SolarCity. Those lessons in decentralization now guide Sazmining’s approach to Mining as a Service.
“Rooftop solar and Bitcoin mining are nearly identical — both decentralized, distributed, and constrained by the grid. It’s the same playbook for energy freedom.”
After leaving the corporate world to travel the globe, Kent discovered Bitcoin and realized it solved the same problem solar once promised to: empowering individuals through energy independence.
When Solar Meets Satoshi
Kent described the inevitable intersection between solar, batteries, and Bitcoin — three technologies reshaping the world’s energy future.
“Bitcoin mining is the third leg of that stool. As solar and batteries scale, miners can stabilize grids, absorb excess power, and make renewable energy more profitable than ever.”
Sazmining’s operations already reflect that future. Every one of its data centers — across Norway, Paraguay, Ethiopia, and the U.S. — runs on hydropower, transforming wasted energy into productive economic output.
Mining Is Manufacturing
Kent compared mining to a manufacturing process — except the product is Bitcoin.
“Mining has a supply chain: energy generation, site development, infrastructure, machines, and operations. The output is Bitcoin sent directly to your wallet.”
Unlike factories that ship goods to consumers, Bitcoin’s manufacturing process ends right at the source of energy. Electricity becomes Bitcoin instantly — no middlemen, no transport, no waste.
Building Trust Through Alignment
Sazmining takes a customer-first approach. Instead of profiting from hardware markups or inflated power rates, Sazmining only earns a 15% share of Bitcoin mined.
“We only make money when our customers do,” Kent explained. “That’s how trust is built.”
This alignment shapes everything from partner selection to site vetting. Each project undergoes months of due diligence to ensure reliability, transparency, and long-term operational success.
The Case for Wild Sats
Parker and Kent discussed what Sazmining calls wild sats — Bitcoin mined directly from the network, free from third-party surveillance or exchange friction.
“Mining is the best way to acquire Bitcoin,” Kent said. “You’re earning it from the protocol itself — outside the banking system.”
Mining offers three unique advantages:
- ⚡ Cheaper BTC — Energy cost per Bitcoin averages around $50K in Sazmining’s Ethiopia site.
- 🔒 Sovereignty — You own the machine and receive Bitcoin directly.
- 🧘 Peace of mind — Instead of timing the market, you DCA through energy.
Hydro and the Future of Energy
Sazmining’s four facilities run entirely on hydropower. In Paraguay, Bitcoin mining helps convert underused hydroelectric capacity into local economic growth. In Ethiopia, mining revenues help the country service international debt and strengthen infrastructure.
“Bitcoin turns stranded or wasted energy into prosperity,” Kent said. “It lifts entire economies.”
In Norway, waste heat from mining even warms nearby buildings — an early example of Bitcoin’s potential to harmonize with the environment.
Decentralization Starts with Ownership
The Saz Team believes mining belongs in the hands of Bitcoiners — not just corporations.
“When Bitcoiners own hash rate, the network becomes stronger,” Kent said. “That’s how we fight centralization — one rig at a time.”
Through Sazmining’s platform, over 400 customers across four continents now own their own rigs and earn Bitcoin directly. It’s a growing movement toward decentralized ownership and network resilience.
A Milestone Moment: Finding a Block
Recently, a Sazmining customer achieved something every Bitcoiner dreams of — finding a block. Using Sazmining’s integration with OCEAN Pool, the miner’s rig discovered a valid block, earning the full Bitcoin reward.
“That moment made it real for everyone,” Kent said. “We’re not just talking about mining — we’re participating in Bitcoin’s heartbeat.”
It’s proof that when Bitcoiners mine, they don’t just earn — they help secure the future of the network.
Mining Is Where Bitcoin Meets Reality
Kent summed it up perfectly:
“Mining is where reality meets Bitcoin. You can feel the electricity. You can feel the physics. It’s what makes Bitcoin real.”
That connection — between energy, economics, and freedom — is what drives everything Sazmining builds.
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