Samsung has achieved a critical breakthrough in advanced semiconductor manufacturing, with its 2nm process yield reaching 50%-60%, moving closer to mass production by year-end. In a significant development, two major Chinese crypto mining machine manufacturers—MicroBT and Canaan—have become Samsung’s first customers for the 2nm node, bringing key orders to its foundry business.
Samsung’s 2nm technology continues to use the Gate-All-Around transistor architecture introduced at 3nm. While the company initially claimed 12% higher performance, 25% lower power, and 5% smaller area compared to its second-generation 3nm process, industry tests now indicate more modest gains—5% performance improvement, 8% power reduction, and 5% area reduction. Analysts suggest this reflects yield-driven optimization to ensure production stability.
Although TSMC maintains a yield advantage of around 80% at 2nm, Samsung’s current yield level is sufficient to begin volume production. The company will produce 2nm chips at its S3 production line in Hwaseong, with MicroBT’s orders already in production and Canaan’s scheduled for early 2026. Combined, these two clients are expected to account for 10% of Samsung’s total 2nm capacity, with final products shipping in the second half of 2026.
Crypto mining firms are ideal early adopters for Samsung’s 2nm process. Mining relies heavily on high-density, repetitive logic operations, where power efficiency directly impacts profitability. Samsung’s flexible pricing also appeals to cost-sensitive mining companies, especially amid volatile cryptocurrency markets.
Nevertheless, Samsung still trails TSMC in the foundry race. Bitmain, the world’s largest mining hardware maker, continues to rely on TSMC, valuing its higher yield and production stability. In Q2 2025, TSMC held 70.2% of the global foundry market, compared to Samsung’s 7.3%.
To close the gap, Samsung is pursuing customer diversification beyond mining. Its Exynos 2600 smartphone chip will use the 2nm process, and Qualcomm is also rumored to be planning a 2nm version of its Snapdragon 8 Gen 6.
ICgoodFind:Samsung’s 2nm progress intensifies competition in advanced nodes, with crypto mining emerging as a strategic entry market.
