U.S. Blocks China-Tied Crypto Miners as ‘National Security Risk’ Near Nuke Base

A crypto mining operation in China has set up shop within a mile of a US nuclear missile base without the necessary permit, the White House said.

The closure order stated that foreign-sourced technology was used, which created national security concerns.

President Joe Biden ordered a cryptocurrency mining facility near Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming to cease operations on Monday, saying it was a threat to national security.

The White House order said the British Virgin Islands company behind MineOne, which is majority-owned by Chinese nationals, must remove all improvements and mining equipment from the property located within a mile of the military facility in Cheyenne that houses the Minuteman III nuclear power plant. missiles.

According to White’s report, the company that purchased the property in 2022 was accused of purchasing the land and starting to work there without applying to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), and an investigation was launched into this purchase upon a notice. House.

The order, which also authorized the U.S. attorney general to “take any steps necessary” to enforce it, noted “the presence of specialized equipment, some of which is foreign-sourced, on property used to conduct cryptocurrency mining operations that provides a significant level of national security.” concerns”, according to the relevant statement from the Treasury Department.

The move “underscores the critical watchdog role that CFIUS serves to ensure that foreign investment does not harm our national security, particularly as it relates to transactions involving sensitive U.S. military facilities as well as specialized equipment and technologies.” Treasury Undersecretary Janet Yellen said the following in her statement.

MineOne did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent through the company’s website.

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