- US Customs holds Bitmain ASIC imports, causing delays for mining companies.
- Sophgo chips under investigation for ties to Huawei amid U.S. sanctions.
- Delays lead to daily storage fees exceeding $200,000 for some firms.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has been holding imports of Bitmain’s Antminer S21 and T21 series ASIC miners for up to two months, raising concerns among U.S.-based mining companies.
These delays are reportedly linked to an investigation into chips supplied by Xiamen Sophgo, a company under scrutiny for potential U.S. sanctions violations.
The delays have impacted several mining operations and are causing significant financial strain. According to industry sources, some firms are facing daily storage fees that have exceeded $200,000.
However, the delay does not seem to affect imports from other major manufacturers like MicroBT or Canaan.
Bitmain, a dominant player in the Bitcoin mining hardware industry, relies on chips from Sophgo for certain Antminer models, including the S19 series.
Sophgo, founded in 2019 by Micree Zhan, a former co-founder of Bitmain, has been under investigation following reports that its chips could be linked to Huawei, a Chinese tech giant under U.S. sanctions since 2020.
While no direct evidence has surfaced to confirm a link between the delays and the sanctions investigation, speculation suggests that the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and CBP may inspect shipments for restricted components, such as the CV1835 chip used in Bitmain’s miners.
The situation highlights the increasing intersection of U.S. trade policies and the global cryptocurrency mining industry.
Bitmain’s dominance in the market has been challenged by growing political tensions, especially with China-based companies. These tensions are expected to persist as the U.S. tightens regulations on international technology firms.
Former President Donald Trump recently reiterated his commitment to making the U.S. a global leader in Bitcoin mining, a sentiment that could influence future policies on mining hardware imports.
Trump appointed Howard Lutnick, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, to lead the U.S. Department of Commerce, signaling a potential shift in how U.S. regulations may shape the cryptocurrency mining landscape.
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