In this particular case, we're mining Bitcoin and while we are leveraging expensive hardware to do so, the resource is really about how quickly you can actually solve a particular algorithm, mathematic equation, on the blockchain to be able to go and obtain one Bitcoin.
Source: tatoeba (11150921)
Round rolls the stroke with mathematic care,
All centre-bound, exactly circular:
No sportive way it takes, at large and free,
No gambol plays of freakful liberty […]
Source: wiktionary
This is the sort of struggle which proves a man's metal, and declares it sterling or counterfeit. No spuriosity, no charlatanry can stand this fiery alembic of hard-wrought and exquisite calculation, in which one mathematic point or unit misplaced destroys the whole chain of reasoning, and proves the candidate a blunderer.
Source: wiktionary