The best way to avoid scams and delays is to buy Bitaxe-Gamma directly from trusted resellers or verified developers through official platforms. Avoid unknown marketplaces or Telegram-only sellers.

What we will cover 

• Where and how to find trusted Bitaxe-Gamma suppliers

• What makes a seller reliable or not

• Real-world examples of how people get tricked

• Price ranges, timelines, and buying options

• Difference between original builds and clones

• What role helium deploy and helium miners play in this

• One-time-use tips that can protect your money

What is Bitaxe-Gamma and why is it in demand?

Bitaxe-Gamma is a self-hosted, open-source, ultra-efficient Bitcoin solo miner based on the AXE mining project. It uses a compact PCB design and includes a built-in display, Wi-Fi, and a hashboard with BM1397 or BM1398 chips. These units are not mass-produced by large hardware manufacturers. Most are handmade or assembled in small batches by contributors and open-source enthusiasts.

Buyers want it because of its low power use, ability to solo mine, and its open structure. There’s no dependency on third-party firmware or large cloud systems. People use these mostly for personal mining, testing hash performance, or experimenting with solo block rewards.

Why is it hard to find a trustworthy source to buy Bitaxe-Gamma?

There’s no single official company producing Bitaxe-Gamma devices in bulk. This leaves buyers with a mix of GitHub source code, scattered DIY kits, Telegram sellers, Discord groups, and low-stock store links.

Problems arise because:

• Most sellers are individuals or hobbyists

• There’s little or no customer support

• No buyer protection unless bought via a protected platform

• Shipping can take weeks or longer

• Some sellers disappear after collecting payments

The popularity also attracts shady sellers who offer clones or take payments without shipping anything.

What are the current trusted sources for ordering Bitaxe-Gamma?

Here are the most accepted options to check regularly:

1. GitHub Contributors' Storefronts
   Some developers behind the AXE project host small stores or provide build services. Links are often in project repositories, but supply is always limited.

2. Community-Verified Telegram Channels and Discord Servers
   These include curated sellers who ship pre-assembled versions. Usually, people post real user reviews, unboxing videos, or setup tips.

3. Tindie and SellMyApp Hardware Marketplaces
   A few creators list their builds on platforms like Tindie, which supports verified shipping and payment. Supply varies.

4. eBay and Local Market Listings (Low trust)
   These are filled with overpriced or clone units. Use only if you can confirm build quality and have refund options.

5. Independent Sellers Working with helium deploy Ecosystems
   Some users who build helium miners also branch into Bitaxe-Gamma builds. Always ask for live proof of the product before buying.

How do I know a Bitaxe-Gamma offer is not fake?

Scam detection should always start with these checks:

• Ask for real photos with timestamps

• Request video of boot-up and hashing

• Ask if they offer shipping with tracking

• Check if seller is active on GitHub or known Discords

• Confirm the PCB version and chips used

• Use payments with refund options (like PayPal with buyer protection)

If the seller uses crypto-only payments and refuses to offer any proof, you should avoid.

What’s the usual price for a Bitaxe-Gamma?

As of mid-2025, here's a range based on chip and condition:

Always compare price vs chip version. Older chips (BM1397) hash slower than BM1398. Anything above $300 should include some premium features or bundles.

What’s the difference between clone units and originals?

Clone units usually come with:

• Inferior PCB quality

• Reused or recycled chips

• Poor soldering

• No working display

• Incorrect hash rates

Many clones will not hash consistently. Even if they boot, they can crash under heat or load. If someone is selling "Bitaxe-Gamma" in large batches at a huge discount, it’s probably a clone.

Can Bitaxe-Gamma be used with helium miners or crypto networks?

Bitaxe-Gamma works independently of helium miners. They’re not designed for the same purpose. But some crypto enthusiasts use both together in homelab setups.

For example, one user uses helium deploy products to manage network hotspots and combines Bitaxe-Gamma to test solo mining logic on a side chain. This lets them keep their setup flexible while separating proof-of-coverage networks from proof-of-work testing.

So while they don’t directly connect, both are often seen in the same DIY setups.

What do real users say about ordering Bitaxe-Gamma?

In a recent discussion in a crypto-focused Discord group, a user shared:

“I paid $160 in BTC to a guy on Telegram. He said he’d ship in 7 days. It's been 3 weeks now and he stopped replying.”

Another user shared a better experience:

“Got mine from Tindie. Took 12 days to arrive in Germany. Packaging was solid. The device booted right away. Followed instructions from GitHub repo.”

This shows why platform matters. Use platforms that let you recover your payment or post a review.

What to do if you already paid and got nothing?

If you already sent payment and the seller disappears:

• Check if the seller is traceable on GitHub or social media

• Try contacting through other platforms (Telegram, Discord, Email)

• Report on the platform (if applicable)

• Share in community groups to warn others

• Collect screenshots and prepare a case with your payment provider

Crypto payments are usually not reversible. That’s why trust is more valuable than price when ordering Bitaxe-Gamma.

How often are new Bitaxe-Gamma units released?

Most builders release in cycles based on chip stock. Some restock once a month. Others do limited drops announced in Discords. Keeping track is a manual process. Some Discord bots now post auto-updates when new builds are available.

You can set a tracker using RSS feeds on GitHub or add alerts on specific Telegram keywords like “bitaxe shipping” or “bitaxe in stock”.

Do you need to assemble it or does it come ready to mine?

There are three categories:

1. Barebone PCB Only
   You’ll need to add all components. Best for advanced users who can solder SMD.

2. Semi-assembled Kit
   Parts are pre-soldered. You only need to mount the display, flash firmware, and power it.

3. Fully Assembled
   Just plug in power and Wi-Fi. These are the most expensive.

Always ask which version the seller offers. Beginners should avoid PCB-only kits.

What software or firmware do you need for Bitaxe-Gamma?

The main firmware is open-source and available via GitHub under the Bitaxe repository. You'll need:

• ESP32 flashing tools

• Bitaxe firmware binary

• JSON config file with your solo mining node or pool info

The flashing process can be done using USB via any computer with Python and the esptool script.

It supports solo mining via stratum+tcp. You can input your Bitcoin node IP and start testing hashes right after flashing.

Can Bitaxe-Gamma actually mine any Bitcoin?

Yes, but odds are low. Since it’s a solo miner and has far less power than industrial ASICs, finding a block is like winning the lottery. Still, users mine for:

• Learning Bitcoin protocol

• Verifying block headers

• Testing solo mining logic

• Just for fun or community projects

Some users pool hash from multiple Bitaxe units, though this still doesn’t reach commercial hash levels.

What payment methods are safest when ordering Bitaxe-Gamma?

Use these in order of safety:

• PayPal (with buyer protection)

• Credit card (via protected platform)

• Crypto (only if seller is known and verified)

• Direct bank transfer (never unless it’s someone you trust personally)

Telegram and Discord sellers should always offer a middleman if using crypto.

What are signs of a fake Bitaxe-Gamma website or listing?

Here’s what fake listings often do:

• Use stolen photos from GitHub

• Offer bulk discounts for 10+ units

• Refuse to show a timestamped video

• List prices that are too low ($40–$50 for fully assembled units)

• Use only crypto or wire transfer with no refund promise

If you find such a listing, report it in known crypto groups or to the Bitaxe GitHub issue page. Some GitHub threads now include warnings about ongoing scams.

How long does shipping usually take?

• US to EU: 10–18 days

• Within EU: 5–9 days

• Asia to EU: 12–21 days

• From individual sellers: up to 4–6 weeks

Always ask for tracking and confirm customs status for your country.

Do Bitaxe-Gamma units need cooling or special setup?

Most units include a small heatsink and fan connector. For heavy test sessions, users recommend adding:

• Thermal pads between chip and case

• USB-powered mini fan

• Keeping the unit in open air with no casing

No special power source is needed. Units run off USB-C with 5V/3A capacity.

Can I connect more than one Bitaxe-Gamma at once?

Yes, you can run several on the same network, each with its own IP. Some advanced users use a Raspberry Pi as a central controller to log results, restart failed units, and update firmware over LAN.

How do you verify hash performance before buying?

Ask the seller for screenshots of hash output from the OLED or console log. You should see lines like:

HASHRATE: 320 GH/s
FREQ: 800MHz
TEMP: 51C

These logs prove the unit works and is correctly flashed.