The US expelled a Chinese cryptocurrency mine from land near an Air Force military base

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President Biden Orders Chinese-Owned Cryptocurrency Mine to be Expelled Near Air Force Base in Wyoming

In a move to protect national security interests, President Joe Biden has ordered the expulsion of a cryptocurrency mine with Chinese capital operating near the Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming. The mine, owned by MineOne Partners Limited, is located just one mile from the military facility in Cheyenne.

The order requires MineOne Partners Limited to sell the property within 120 days and dismantle the operation. This decision comes as the United States prepares to impose new tariffs on electric vehicles, semiconductors, solar equipment, and medical supplies imported from China.

The divestment order was issued in coordination with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), which investigates corporate deals for national security reasons. The Treasury Department cited concerns about specialized and foreign-sourced equipment potentially capable of facilitating surveillance and espionage activities as the reason for the expulsion.

The proximity of the foreign-owned parcel to a strategic missile base and a key element of the American nuclear triangle raised concerns about national security risks. The mine, which consists of containers filled with computers putting pressure on electrical grids, is linked to Bitcoin infrastructure.

Cryptocurrency mines owned by Chinese investors have been operating in the United States in at least a dozen states, using the same amount of energy as 1.5 million homes. Since China banned Bitcoin cryptocurrency mines in 2021, many investors have moved their operations to the United States.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who chairs CFIUS, emphasized the committee’s role in ensuring that foreign investment does not undermine national security, particularly concerning military installations and specialized equipment and technologies. The CFIUS is composed of members from several government departments and investigates national security risks from foreign investments in U.S. companies.

This decision reflects the ongoing concerns about foreign influence and national security risks posed by Chinese investments in critical infrastructure near military installations and sensitive sites in the United States.