According to CoinDesk, a Chinese cryptocurrency mining operation located near a U.S. nuclear missile base has been ordered to cease operations due to national security concerns. The operation, set up by a British Virgin Islands company called MineOne, was within a mile of Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming, a facility that houses Minuteman III nuclear missiles. The White House stated that the company, majority-owned by Chinese nationals, had not obtained the necessary clearance before setting up shop.
President Joe Biden issued the order to halt the mining facility's operations on Monday. The company was accused of purchasing the land and commencing work without filing with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). This oversight led to an investigation into the acquisition. The White House order also authorized the U.S. attorney general to enforce the order as necessary.
The operation was found to be using foreign-sourced technology, some of which was used for cryptocurrency mining. This technology was cited as a significant national security concern in a statement from the Department of the Treasury. The incident underscores the importance of CFIUS in ensuring foreign investments do not compromise national security, particularly in relation to sensitive U.S. military installations and specialized equipment and technologies, according to Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen. MineOne has yet to respond to requests for comment.