Question 1

How do validators verify GPU hardware on a miner's machine?

Accepted Answer

Validators connect to each executor via SSH and run automated scripts to scrape hardware specifications (GPU count, type, VRAM), run the VerifyX performance challenge to measure actual throughput, and optionally verify Intel TDX attestation quotes if the executor runs in a confidential VM. These measurements feed into the scoring system that determines miner compensation.

Question 2

What happens if a miner claims to have hardware they don't actually own?

Accepted Answer

The validator's SSH-based hardware scrape and the VerifyX performance challenge will fail or return values inconsistent with the claim, causing the miner to receive a low score and minimal compensation. Repeated false claims result in network weight assignment to zero, effectively removing the miner from the marketplace.

Question 3

Can a renter verify that their workload ran on the hardware they rented?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if the executor supports Intel TDX attestation (documented in the dstacktee setup guide). The renter receives a cryptographic quote proving the workload executed on genuine Intel hardware without host interference. Standard executors (without TDX) require trust in the provider and the Bittensor validators' ongoing audits.

Question 4

How are miners compensated for renting their GPUs?

Accepted Answer

Validators assign network weights to miners based on hardware specifications and VerifyX performance scores. The Bittensor blockchain distributes TAO rewards proportional to these weights daily. Miners also earn rental fees from renters who deploy workloads on their hardware through the marketplace.

Question 5

What is Intel TDX attestation and why would a provider use it?

Accepted Answer

Intel TDX (Trusted Domain Extensions) creates a confidential virtual machine that encrypts workloads and data in memory, isolated from the host OS. A remote attestation quote proves to renters that the workload executed on genuine Intel hardware without tampering. Providers use it to offer a stronger security guarantee than standard shared-host setups, attracting security-conscious customers willing to pay premium rates.

Question 6

What GPU hardware is supported?

Accepted Answer

Miners can contribute any GPU; validators will measure and score them. For TDX attestation, executors must run on Intel Xeon CPUs with TDX support (Sapphire Rapids, Emerald Rapids, or Granite Rapids) and NVIDIA Hopper (H100/H200) or Blackwell (B200/B300) GPUs with confidential computing capability. Standard executors have no hardware restrictions beyond the ability to run Docker.

lium.io

lium.io

Hardware Requirements

Hardware Requirements

Miner Setup

Validator Setup

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Hardware Requirements

Hardware Requirements

Miner Setup

Validator Setup