How President-Elect Trump Can Ensure Bitcoin is Mined in the U.S. By & For Americans

The influx of foreign-controlled cryptocurrency mining operations on U.S. soil is more than an economic issue—it’s a direct assault on our national security, energy independence, and the American way of life. These operations exploit American resources, endanger strategic infrastructure, and harm local communities, all while enriching adversarial nations. It’s time for bold, decisive action to protect American sovereignty and put our nation’s interests first.

Foreign-controlled mining operations have proven to be Trojan horses for espionage and cyber warfare. For example, a Chinese-operated crypto mine in Wyoming was discovered alarmingly close to a nuclear missile base and a Pentagon-affiliated data center. This mine, with its staggering energy consumption equivalent to powering 55,000 homes, posed a real and present danger to U.S. defense infrastructure. President Biden’s intervention to shut it down highlighted the critical nature of this threat, but he should have gone much further.

Allowing adversarial nations to operate within our borders with impunity undermines our security and invites surveillance, cyberattacks, and infrastructure manipulation.

Foreign adversaries aren’t just mining Bitcoin—they’re mining our communities and infrastructure. In Channing, Texas, a Chinese national exploited legal loophole to acquire a $6 million crypto mining facility, using untraceable digital currency routed through offshore exchanges. This brazen maneuver bypassed U.S. financial regulations, obscured ties to adversarial states, and opened the door to money laundering. The facility burdened local power grids, drained resources, and defaulted on payments, leaving American contractors in the lurch.

In Kentucky, the promise of economic revitalization through cryptocurrency mining has devolved into a cautionary tale of exploitation and unfulfilled commitments. A notable example involves Mohawk Energy, co-founded by Kentucky State Senator Brandon Smith, which partnered with HBTPower—a company then owned by Chinese crypto exchange Huobi—to establish a Bitcoin mining operation in Jenkins, Eastern Kentucky. The venture aimed to generate tax revenue and create jobs for former coal miners. However, the relationship deteriorated, leading to legal disputes over alleged contract breaches and unpaid fees. The facility remains inactive, leaving the community without the anticipated economic benefits

Even at our ports of entry, adversarial tactics are on display. Recent detentions of Beijing-based Bitmain’s Antminer units at U.S. ports by Customs and Border Protection reveal a deeper concern: critical components tied to Chinese firms like Huawei, already sanctioned for national security violations. These components, found in Bitmain’s latest crypto miners, could serve as backdoors for espionage and sabotage. The FCC’s scrutiny of these imports’ underscores how foreign-controlled technology directly threatens our national interests.

Addressing foreign-controlled crypto mining operations aligns seamlessly with the America First Peace Through Strength agenda championed by President-Elect Trump. His vision emphasizes protecting American jobs, bolstering national security, and restoring U.S. leadership in critical industries. By eliminating adversarial crypto mines, we achieve all three:

                  • Securing American Sovereignty: These mines exploit our open markets while undermining our security. Shutting them down protects our borders and infrastructure.

                  • Strengthening Energy Independence: Redirecting resources away from adversaries ensures that America controls its own energy future.

                  • Creating American Jobs: Incentivizing real and actual domestic cryptocurrency mining keeps economic benefits at home and drives innovation within U.S. industries.

It’s time to act decisively under the banner of America First Peace Through Strength. By taking immediate resolute steps we can protect our sovereignty and turn the tables on foreign exploitation:

1.        Enforce Transparency and Accountability

Demand full disclosure of ownership and funding for all cryptocurrency mining operations on U.S. soil. No more hiding behind offshore exchanges or opaque financing.

2.        Fortify National Security

Implement robust cybersecurity regulations and expand audits to ensure foreign-controlled mines don’t infiltrate our critical infrastructure.

3.        Empower American Companies

Incentivize domestic innovation in cryptocurrency mining to ensure economic benefits stay within the United States while securing our energy resources.

4.        Strengthen Trade and Import Controls

Increase scrutiny of imported mining equipment to block technologies tied to adversarial states. Any connection to sanctioned entities like Huawei must result in immediate bans.

This is more than an economic issue; it’s a fight for American sovereignty. Foreign adversaries exploit America’s open markets and affordable energy to undermine our values and security. By making this a cornerstone of the America First agenda, Republicans can stand up for American families, jobs, and national strength. 

We must take bold steps to secure our borders, our resources, and our future. This is the time to lead with conviction and resolve, ensuring America remains safe, prosperous, and sovereign for generations to come.