"National Security Concerns Rise Over Chinese Bitcoin Mines in the US"

Chinese-owned Bitcoin mines in the United States are drawing national security scrutiny due to concerns about intelligence collection and the strain they put on power grids. Microsoft raised concerns about a mine in Wyoming due to its proximity to a data center supporting the Pentagon and an Air Force base controlling nuclear-armed missiles. The surge in Chinese Bitcoin mines across the country has raised worries about intelligence-gathering and potential cyberattacks. These mines, which consume massive amounts of electricity, have ties to Chinese companies, including Bitmain, which has shipped equipment to the US through a subsidiary located at a Communist Party site in China. The ownership of these mines is often opaque, with some linked to the Chinese government. The vast energy consumption and digital connections of these mines with grid operators raise concerns about disruptions to the power grid and potential intrusions into critical systems.