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Trade War Hits Crypto: U.S. Mining Firms Struggle with Equipment Delays & Tariffs
Bitcoin Mining in Crisis? Customs Holds Up Bitmain Rigs Amid U.S.-China Tensions
Rising Costs, Delays, and Tariffs: The Challenges Facing U.S. Bitcoin Miners
Mining Slowdown: Why U.S. Bitcoin Miners Are Struggling to Get Their Equipment
U.S. Bitcoin miners are facing severe delays in receiving their mining equipment as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) increases scrutiny on shipments from Bitmain, the Chinese mining hardware giant. The delays, which began in November 2024, have left shipments of application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) stuck at U.S. ports, causing logistical headaches for mining companies.
Tensions with China Behind Equipment Delays
The inspections are part of worsening U.S.-China trade relations, with industry executives reporting that nearly all airlifted mining machines are being closely examined. These delays have had a direct impact on mining firms:
Bit Digital (New York-based) has 700 mining rigs stuck in customs.
An Oklahoma-based miner has 2,000 rigs delayed.
To make matters worse, a 10% tariff on Chinese imports took effect on Feb. 1, further raising costs for U.S. mining companies that rely on Bitmain’s hardware. Ethan Vera from Luxor Technology noted that shipments with Bitmain labels are being specifically targeted for inspection.
U.S. Bitcoin Miners Struggle with Rising Difficulty & Costs
These supply chain disruptions come at a time when U.S. miners are already dealing with increasing mining difficulty and declining profitability.
Bitcoin mining difficulty has soared to 114 trillion (as of February 2025).
Hash price has dropped to just $53 per petahash per second (PH/s).
For companies using older hardware like the Antminer S19 Pro, rising mining costs and high electricity prices are making operations increasingly unsustainable. Some mining firms have responded by diversifying into AI data centers or holding Bitcoin as a corporate asset to offset losses.
Geopolitical Pressures: Bitmain’s Links to AI & U.S. Blacklist
The delays are also linked to broader U.S. efforts to curb Chinese influence in technology. In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce blacklisted Sophgo, an AI company linked to Bitmain.
Bitmain’s co-founder, Zhan Ketuan, has shifted focus to AI hardware, distancing the company from its traditional mining business.
The crackdown on Sophgo is part of the U.S. strategy to limit China’s access to advanced semiconductors and AI technology.
What’s Next for U.S. Bitcoin Miners?
Despite these challenges, Bitmain is pushing forward with plans for a new U.S. facility, though its exact location remains undisclosed. However, with mounting tariffs, equipment delays, and rising operational costs, the profitability of U.S. Bitcoin mining firms is under serious threat.
The big question remains: Can U.S. mining companies adapt fast enough, or will regulatory and economic pressures force them to scale back operations?
