U.S. Customs and Border Protection Broadens Crackdown on Asian ASICs - Report
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is seizing Bitcoin mining ASICs. The crackdown, as reported by Blockspace.Media, now includes machines from MicroBT and Canaan, following the initial stoppage of Bitmain’s Antminer S21 and T21 models last year.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is seizing Bitcoin mining ASICs at U.S. ports of entry at the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) direction.
- The agency is now also detaining MicroBT and Canaan units, according to CBP documents reviewed by Blockspace Media and industry sources.
- One of the sources said it had $5 million worh of its equipment seized.
"This is to inform you that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized the property described below at SF INTL AIRPORT on January 10, 2025: BITMAIN S21 PRO 200TH CRYPTOCURRENCY MINING MACHINE," states a CBP letter shared with Blockspace Media.
- The letter states that miners were "seized and subject to forfeiture" under 19 USC 1595a(c)(2)(A) for involving unauthorized communication devices, interfering radio frequency equipment, and non-compliant FCC devices.
"Virtually every Asian ASIC manufacturer is being impacted by customs clearance issues," said Synteq Digital CEO Taras Kulyk.
- Additionally, the custom clearance issues are now occurring at numerous ports instead of just Detroit and San Francisco.
- One affected company said it is seeking partners to take legal action against the government for the seizures.
The US CBP is rounding up Bitcoin ASICs at port of entry from Bitmain, Canaan and MicroBT https://t.co/1HJte4ZbXG pic.twitter.com/e0h6T3OhGl
— Will Foxley (@wsfoxley) February 13, 2025
Blockspace Media Article / Archive
- Do you want more? Subscribe and get No Bullshit GM report straight to your mailbox and No Bullshit Bitcoin on Nostr.
- Feedback or tips? Drop it here.
- #FREESAMOURAI
