My guess is that Bitfury is very skilled in analog chip design and the use of custom transistors, thus enabling him to handcraft a high performance digital chip using only 55nm. On the other hand the KnC/ORSoC people are probably more comfortable with using building blocks (standard cell, FPGA ports, etc.).
Bitfury never designed chip in his life before. This one is his first one. Also he says 5-6 years ago he didn't know who are Ampere and Volt and where do they meet each other. This is what he says.