As the United States crypto administration gradually shifts to a more favorable stance, US authorities have begun releasing previously seized Chinese-made cryptocurrency mining equipment.
These machines which happens to be vital for the blockchain infrastructure, had been held up at various ports for months, leaving thousands of units in limbo.
Detailing The Release And Reason Behind The Initial Seizures
The crypto mining equipment, equipped with advanced chips, supports blockchain networks by solving complex mathematical problems, earning operators digital currency rewards.
Latest report citing Taras Kulyk, CEO of Synteq Digital, explained that “thousands of units have been released,” but also noted that as many as 10,000 devices were once stuck in US customs.
The initial seizures, conducted by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), reportedly stemmed from concerns over security risks associated with Chinese-manufactured components.
According to Reuters, the U.S. has recently begun releasing some previously seized Chinese-made cryptocurrency mining machines, with up to 10,000 units held at various ports of entry. Synteq Digital CEO Taras Kulyk stated that some CBP officials hold a negative stance toward…
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Reuters citing Blockspace reported that certain machines contained chips from Sophgo, a company restricted due to alleged ties to Huawei. These concerns, along with broader trade tensions between the US and China, contributed to the decision to hold the mining equipment. Reuters wrote:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Federal Communications Commission began seizing certain bitcoin mining equipment late last year, industry publication Blockspace reported in November, opens new tab. The publication said at least some of the machines may have been detained because they carried chips from the trade-restricted Chinese chip company Sophgo.
Security Concerns and Industry Reactions
The detentions of the equipements raised alarms within the cryptocurrency sector. Ethan Vera, chief operating officer of Luxor Technology, confirmed that while some shipments have been released, “it is still a minority of them.”
Both Vera and Kulyk suggested that the reasons cited—such as concerns over radio frequency emissions—lacked merit. Kulyk remarked that certain officials “didn’t like Bitcoin mining” and effectively created significant obstacles for the industry.
It is worth noting that this release of mining equipment—seized for months—comes amid a shift in the US government’s stance on cryptocurrency.
Particularly, following the appointment of pro-crypto Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States, the country has seen more friendly policies towards cryptocurrency.
Just recently, Trump announced plans for a US crypto strategic reserve, which is set to include Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Cardano (ADA), Solana (SOL), XRP, and other major cryptocurrencies.
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