Michaela
U.S. authorities have conducted a months-long federal investigation into whether Bitmain miners, Bitcoin-mining machines produced by the crypto hardware company Bitmain, could be remotely manipulated for espionage or to disrupt the power grid.
Key Points
- The investigation followed a federal review of Bitmain equipment installed near a U
- military base, which raised āsignificant national security concerns
- ā In July, a Senate Intelligence Committee document noted multiple troubling vulnerabilities, including the possibility of remote control originating from China
According to a report by Bloomberg, the federal probe, dubbed āOperation Red Sunset,ā was spearheaded by the Department of Homeland Security with input from National Security Council policy discussions. The investigation followed a federal review of Bitmain equipment installed near a U.S. military base, which raised āsignificant national security concerns.ā In July, a Senate Intelligence Committee document noted multiple troubling vulnerabilities, including the possibility of remote control originating from China.
Bitmain denied the allegations, labeling them āunequivocally falseā and affirming that the company cannot operate its machines remotely, while maintaining its compliance with U.S. law. Sources familiar with the matter said investigators halted certain shipments at U.S. ports, disassembled units, and conducted detailed inspections of chips and firmware.
Furthermore, the report indicated that a parallel review of tariffs and import regulations, along with related policy discussions, began under President Joe Biden and carried over into the early months of the Trump administration. Officials declined to provide updates on the current status of the inquiry, citing the sensitivity of ongoing investigations.
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Bloomberg reported that Bitmain asserted it maintains āno connection to the Chinese governmentā and said previous detentions of its Bitmain miners were related to Federal Communications Commission concerns, with inspections revealing no irregularities.
While the federal inquiry into Bitmain miners spotlights the increasing scrutiny of foreign-made technology in critical sectors, it also emphasizes the broader tension between innovation and national security.
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In November, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reportedly directed U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to hold shipments of Bitmain Antminer units at multiple ports nationwide. The focus was on Bitmainās latest application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) models, the Antminer S21 and T21. Sources indicate that some of these miners were detained for up to two months, with delays affecting major entry points including San Francisco and Detroit.
MICHAELA
Michaela is a news writer focused on cryptocurrency and blockchain topics. She prioritizes rigorous research and accuracy to uncover interesting angles and ensure engaging reporting. A lifelong book lover, she applies her passion for reading to deeply explore the constantly evolving crypto world.
