US Customs Releasing Detained Chinese-Made Bitcoin Mining Rigs

After months of detention, the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has started releasing some shipments of Chinese-made Bitcoin mining rigs, according to recent reports.

Speaking to Reuters, Taras Kulyk, CEO of Synteq Digital, disclosed that “Thousands of units have been released” after as many as 10,000 miners were seized at various U.S. ports. Kulyk attributes the detentions to CBP officials who “didn’t like Bitcoin mining” and wanted to make things difficult for the industry.

Rising US-China Tensions and Semiconductor Technology

The situation is linked to rising U.S.-China tensions, particularly over semiconductor technology. Bitmain’s Antminer rigs were caught in the middle after their chip supplier, Sophgo, faced issues with the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Last October, officials flagged some chips linked to Sophgo inside a Huawei AI processor, raising alarms due to Huawei’s long-standing U.S. sanctions. Although Sophgo denied any connection to Huawei, the Federal Communications Commission reportedly pushed for the seizures, claiming the Antminer models (S21 and T21) could violate U.S. regulations.

Minority of Shipments Released

However, only a small portion of the detained miners have been cleared so far. Ethan Vera, COO of Luxor Technology, confirmed the reports but stated that only a “minority” of shipments have actually been released.

Authorities raised concerns about radio frequency emissions from the mining rigs. Last month, it was reported that the CBP had expanded its detentions to include mining rigs from other Chinese manufacturers like MicroBT and Canaan, citing similar compliance issues. Both Vera and Kulyk dismissed these claims as baseless.

Tips for Bitcoin Miners

In light of these developments, Bitcoin miners can consider the following:

  • Compliance with US regulations is crucial to avoid detentions and seizures.
  • Miners should stay informed about the latest developments in US-China trade relations and their impact on the industry.
  • Considering alternative suppliers or manufacturers may help minimize risks associated with US-China tensions.

US Government Tightening Restrictions on Chinese Imports

The US government has been tightening restrictions on Chinese imports, with President Donald Trump’s administration imposing a 10% tariff on Chinese imports. In response, Bitmain has been expanding its production line in the US to sidestep delays.

For the latest news and updates on the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry, visit Global Crypto News.

Post Views: 1