DATUM from OCEAN: A new approach to Bitcoin mining pools

If you’ve been keeping an eye on the mining scene, you might have heard some buzz about DATUM from OCEAN Mining.

It’s a fresh take on how we mine Bitcoin, and it’s got a lot of folks excited—myself included.

So, what’s DATUM all about?

Why does it exist, and how can you use it to level up your mining game, whether you’re pooling with others or going solo?

What Is DATUM?

DATUM stands for "Decentralized Alternative Templates for Universal Mining."

It’s a new protocol cooked up by the team at OCEAN Mining, designed to put the power of Bitcoin mining back where it belongs: in the hands of individual miners.

In simple terms, DATUM lets you create your own block templates—those blueprints that decide which transactions make it into the Bitcoin blockchain—using your own Bitcoin node.

No more relying on a mining pool to call the shots for you.

Think of it like this: in the old days of Bitcoin, miners ran their own nodes and built their own blocks.

It was a solo gig, and it kept things beautifully decentralized. But as mining got tougher and pools took over, that control slipped away.

Pools started deciding what goes into blocks, and today, just a handful of them hold sway over more than half the network’s hash rate.

DATUM flips that script, giving you the tools to take charge again—whether you’re mining with a pool or striking out on your own.

Why Was DATUM Created?

The short answer?

Centralization sucks, and it’s a threat to Bitcoin’s soul. When a few big pools control the majority of the hash rate, they can theoretically censor transactions or even collude to mess with the network.

That’s not the Bitcoin Satoshi dreamed of—a system where "the many, not the few" call the shots.

OCEAN Mining, led by folks like Luke Dashjr (a Bitcoin OG), saw this problem and decided to do something about it.

They tried working with Stratum V2, an earlier attempt to decentralize mining, but found it too clunky and slow to roll out.

So, they built DATUM from scratch. The goal?

Empower miners to design their own blocks while still enjoying the steady payouts of a pool if they want. It’s about striking a balance: keeping Bitcoin secure and decentralized without forcing everyone to go full solo and pray for a lucky block.

DATUM also tackles another pain point: trust.

With traditional pools, you’re at their mercy for payouts, and some even demand KYC nonsense.

DATUM, paired with OCEAN’s non-custodial setup, means your rewards come straight from the Bitcoin network to your wallet—no middleman holding your coins hostage.

It’s a return to Bitcoin’s roots, with a modern twist.

How to Use DATUM for Bitcoin Mining

Ready to give DATUM a spin?

Here’s the rundown on how to set it up, whether you’re pooling with OCEAN or solo mining like a lone wolf. Full Ocean DATUM setup details here.

What You’ll Need:

• A Bitcoin Full Node: This is your command center. It needs to be synced with the blockchain and capable of generating block templates (via "getblocktemplate" or GBT). OCEAN recommends Bitcoin Knots for extra control over your templates, but Bitcoin Core works too.
• DATUM Gateway: This lightweight software bridges your node and your mining hardware. You can grab the source code, Linux binaries, or even a StartOS package from OCEAN’s site.
• Mining Hardware: Anything from a beefy ASIC to a humble home rig—DATUM supports Stratum V1 with ASICBoost, so most modern gear should play nice.
• Decent Hardware: Your node and gateway need a stable internet connection, fast storage, and enough CPU/RAM to keep up with the blockchain (think 1GB RAM for the gateway, plus more for the node).

Steps to Get Started:

1. Set Up Your Node: Install and sync your Bitcoin node. If you’re using Bitcoin Knots, tweak its settings to craft the blocks you want—maybe prioritize high-fee transactions or support your local community’s payments.

2. Install the DATUM Gateway: Download it from OCEAN’s site (it’s open-source, so you can peek under the hood if you’re curious). Configure it to talk to your node via RPC and set up a "blocknotify" alert so it knows when new blocks drop.

3. Connect Your Miners: Point your mining hardware to the gateway (usually at stratum+tcp://your_node_ip:23334). Use your Bitcoin address as the username, and a simple “x” (or anything) as the password—it’s ignored.

4. Choose Your Path:

   • Pool with OCEAN: If you want steady rewards, the gateway can sync with OCEAN’s pool. They’ll track your hash rate and split the block reward fairly using their TIDES system, but you still control the block template. Bonus: DATUM miners get a 50% fee discount with OCEAN.

   • Solo Mining: Skip the pool entirely. Your gateway submits blocks directly to the network. If you find a block, the full 3.125 BTC (plus fees) is yours—though it’s a long shot unless you’ve got serious hash power.

Why It’s Cool:

• Full Control: You decide what goes in your blocks. Want to prioritize certain transactions? Go for it.
• Decentralization: Every miner running DATUM makes Bitcoin harder to censor or control.
• Flexibility: Pool for consistency or solo for glory—your call.

A Real-World Win

Just last December, a miner named Type One Mining used DATUM to solo mine block #874168.

They didn’t just hash—they designed the whole block. It’s proof this isn’t just theory; it’s happening now.

Final Thoughts

DATUM isn’t just a tool—it’s a statement.

It’s OCEAN saying, “Bitcoin belongs to the miners, not the pools.”

Whether you’re a small-time hasher or a big player, it’s a chance to reclaim your stake in the network.

Sure, it takes a bit of setup, but the payoff is a more decentralized, resilient Bitcoin. And isn’t that why we’re all here?

If you give it a try, let me know how it goes—I’d love to hear your stories. Until next time, keep mining, keep learning, and keep Bitcoin free.