Bitmain Ramps Up US Production Amid Delays and Trade Tensions

Bitcoin miners in the United States have been grappling with weeks-long delays for Bitmain ASIC deliveries stuck at US ports. In response, Bitmain, a leading Bitcoin mining hardware manufacturer, has announced the expansion of its production line to the US to streamline its supply chain amid escalating trade tensions between China and the US.

In a Dec. 9 statement on X, Bitmain highlighted the strategic move as a way to provide North American customers with faster response times and more efficient service. This decision marks a significant shift for the China-based firm, which commands an estimated 90% of the global market for Bitcoin miners through its cutting-edge application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chips.

Bitmain plans to roll out its first batch of Antminer S21 Pro miners later this month, promising a substantial boost for its industry partners. This comes against the backdrop of tightened US export controls on high-bandwidth memory chips and China's retaliatory ban on critical mineral sales to the US, further straining trade relations.

Reports from late November revealed that the US Customs and Border Protection Agency had delayed shipments of Bitmain's ASIC hardware, leaving some American miners waiting up to two months for their equipment. However, Bitmain denied involvement in any reported supply chain investigations.

The expansion aligns with former President Donald Trump’s push to bolster US-based Bitcoin mining. Trump, in a June 12 Truth Social post, advocated for the US to become “energy dominant” by supporting domestic Bitcoin production, suggesting the policy could eliminate federal income tax.

Currently, over 44.3% of the Bitcoin network's hashrate operates in the US and Canada, according to The Chain Bulletin’s Bitcoin Mining Map. The US is also home to major mining firms, including MARA Holdings, Core Scientific, CleanSpark, and Riot Platforms.

While Trump has floated ideas of imposing tariffs on imports to promote domestic production, economists and experts remain divided on the feasibility of such measures. Regardless, Bitmain’s US expansion could mark a pivotal step in reshaping the global Bitcoin mining landscape.