US Homeland Security Probes Bitmain Over Espionage and Grid Disruption Fears
US federal authorities are investigating China-based Bitmain over security risks tied to its Bitcoin mining equipment, following alarms about device use near military sites and potential remote control links to Beijing.
Bitmain, a leading Chinese supplier of Bitcoin mining equipment, is under a US federal investigation focusing on national security concerns. The months-long probe follows warnings raised in 2024 about the operation of its mining devices near US military bases and potential remote control capabilities from China. Authorities are assessing whether the equipment could enable espionage or disrupt power grids, amid broader US-China technology tensions. Bitmain has rejected the allegations, stating its products cannot be remotely controlled and comply with US regulations.
- US Department of Homeland Security (DHS): A federal agency overseeing domestic security, including protection against terrorism and safeguarding critical infrastructure.
- Firmware: Permanent software programmed into a hardware device’s read-only memory, controlling its functions and operations.
- Bitcoin mining equipment: Specialized hardware designed to perform complex computations to validate Bitcoin blockchain transactions and earn cryptocurrency rewards.