U.S. Customs Holds Bitmain ASIC Shipments of Bitcoin Miners

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As a seasoned crypto investor with years of navigating through the turbulent waters of the digital asset market, I can’t help but feel a sense of deja vu when reading about these ongoing delays for U.S. Bitcoin miners. The latest saga involving Bitmain Antminer ASICs being held up at U.S. ports is just another chapter in this never-ending tale of geopolitical wrangling and corporate intrigue.

As a crypto investor, I’ve recently encountered an unexpected snag: My Bitcoin mining equipment, specifically the Bitmain Antminer ASICs, are facing significant delays at U.S. ports due to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). These crucial shipments have been held up for as long as two months, causing a noticeable hiccup in my mining operations.

Based on Blockspace’s reports from November 25, it appears that seven undisclosed American mining operations have encountered issues related to the delay affecting the newest Antminer S21 and T21 models.

In response to a request from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which is part of the Department of Homeland Security, is temporarily detaining the shipments.

Affected miners allege that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is levying storage fees on their mining equipment, which has been held up at the port. One firm reported a charge exceeding $200,000 for 200 ASICs that are currently being detained.

The delays are also being handled by the CBP’s Advanced Targeting Unit (ATU), which typically handles high-risk cargo and travelers. However, it is still unclear whether the situation is related to specific investigations or sanctions. 

As an analyst, I’ve come across some indications that potential delays may stem from Sophgo, a prominent chip designer with ties to Bitmain, who have been under investigation by the U.S. Department of Commerce regarding chips discovered within Huawei’s AI processor technology.

Due to Huawei facing U.S. sanctions starting in 2019, there may be repercussions spreading through their supply chain. It’s worth noting that ASICs from other Chinese manufacturers aren’t experiencing comparable delays, making Bitmain equipment the only ones affected in this way.

Bitmain, a major supplier of cryptocurrency mining chips, has been accused of underpricing its products compared to US chip manufacturers, leading to concerns. This situation underscores ongoing disputes between U.S. regulators and Chinese companies dealing with crypto mining, following China’s 2021 ban on mining activities.

U.S. miners find themselves in a position where they must observe the situation unfold, as the delays are pushing up their operational expenses.

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2024-11-26 10:48