Bitcoin Mining Equipment Seized At US Ports Nationwide: Report

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has expanded its crackdown on cryptocurrency mining equipment, seizing Bitcoin BTC/USD mining ASICs at multiple ports across the country.

What Happened: Acting on requests from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the agency has not only detained shipments of Bitmain’s Antminer S21 and T21 models but is now targeting hardware from rival manufacturers MicroBT and Canaan as well, according to a report by Blockspace.

The widening scope of enforcement marks a significant escalation in regulatory scrutiny on mining hardware imports.

Documents reviewed by Blockspace and sources confirmed that CBP is actively holding shipments of mining units at entry points, citing compliance issues related to FCC regulations.

The seizures come after earlier concerns that some mining units contained AI chips sourced from Sophgo, a Chinese company that the U.S. has placed under trade restrictions.

However, recent detainments suggest that the agency is now enforcing broader restrictions that go beyond Sophgo-linked products.

One industry insider reported that $5 million worth of mining equipment was confiscated in a single instance.

A CBP notification dated Jan.10 revealed that a shipment of Bitmain’s S21 Pro 200TH mining machines was seized at San Francisco International Airport.

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Why It Matters: Taras Kulyk, co-founder and CEO of Synteq Digital, noted that nearly every major ASIC manufacturer based in Asia is now facing customs clearance challenges.

Previously, the detentions were concentrated in Detroit and San Francisco, but multiple sources indicate that CBP is now holding shipments at various ports nationwide.

One affected company is reportedly exploring legal action against the government, seeking partners to challenge the seizures.

Bitmain remains the dominant force in Bitcoin mining hardware, controlling approximately 80% of the ASIC market. The company, originally headquartered in Beijing, relocated much of its manufacturing outside of China after the first wave of U.S. tariffs in 2018.

Its competitors, Canaan and MicroBT, have comparatively stronger ties to U.S. markets.

Canaan is listed on the Nasdaq, while MicroBT has set up assembly operations within the United States.

Despite these ties, both firms are now facing heightened scrutiny from customs officials.

The broadening enforcement measures could have significant implications for the U.S. crypto mining sector.

Many mining firms rely on a steady influx of new machines to maintain operational efficiency, and continued delays at customs may disrupt expansion plans and profitability.

If the regulatory clampdown persists, it could drive miners to seek alternative supply chain strategies or shift operations to more favorable jurisdictions.

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Image created using artificial intelligence with Midjourney.