US Bitcoin mining operations are facing delays due to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) holding shipments of Bitmain Antminer devices at multiple ports of entry, according to Blockspace on Nov. 25. The detained equipment includes Bitmain’s S21 and T21 application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), essential for Bitcoin mining.
Several mining companies have reported waiting up to two months for the equipment, with one company citing holding fees exceeding $200,000 for 200 units. The CBP is reportedly acting at the request of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), although the exact reasons for the enforcement action remain unclear.
The delay appears to be connected to Bitmain’s ties to Sophgo, a chip designer that became the subject of a US Department of Commerce investigation in October. The probe was launched after chips produced in Taiwan were allegedly incorporated into Huawei processors. While the CBP has targeted shipments from Bitmain, ASICs produced by other Chinese manufacturers have not faced similar detentions.
The situation highlights the challenges facing US miners who rely heavily on Chinese-manufactured mining equipment. China supplies the majority of chips used globally in crypto mining, with Bitmain being a dominant player in the market. The delivery freeze has also reignited discussions about China’s influence on the crypto sector.
While Beijing banned crypto mining domestically in 2021, Chinese-owned companies continue to mine Bitcoin within the US, further complicating the regulatory landscape.
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