Chinese Bitcoin Mining Giants Shift to U.S. Amid Rising Tariff Pressures

China’s biggest crypto hardware manufacturers are redrawing their maps. Faced with mounting U.S. tariffs on tech imports, Bitmain, Canaan, and MicroBT — firms that collectively dominate over 90% of the global bitcoin mining rig market — are moving parts of their production to the United States.

Bitmain began assembling rigs in America shortly after Trump’s re-election, a move soon echoed by Canaan and MicroBT, both seeking to bypass the 30% import tax now levied on Chinese tech. Canaan described the U.S. venture as exploratory, citing the unpredictability of ongoing trade policies. MicroBT confirmed its own pivot, calling it a “localization strategy.”

But these shifts go beyond tariff avoidance. Chinese mining machines are increasingly viewed as potential security liabilities in the U.S. With Washington growing wary of foreign tech plugged into domestic infrastructure, Chinese firms are trying to stay in the game by becoming more “American-friendly.”

Guang Yang of Conflux Network called the trend a structural shift in crypto’s supply chain — a move away from geopolitically sensitive sources. Sanjay Gupta of Auradine warned that relying on China-made rigs to power North American mining farms poses long-term risks. In his view, the imbalance between where miners operate and where the hardware comes from is unsustainable.

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Canaan pushed back against those concerns, arguing that mining devices serve no purpose beyond securing the Bitcoin network. Still, recent U.S. sanctions — like those targeting Bitmain’s AI division — show that Chinese tech is under increasing scrutiny, no matter the use case.

Despite China’s 2021 crypto ban, its hardware dominance remained intact thanks to early scaling and cutting-edge chip design. While firms like Canaan relocated their headquarters to Singapore and expanded into U.S. production, they still depend on their manufacturing base in China — a base now under pressure.

Trump, who’s positioning himself as a “crypto president,” has backed initiatives like a national Bitcoin reserve. But ironically, the hardware to fuel those ambitions still comes from companies he’s targeting with tariffs. The U.S. wants to lead in crypto — but it still depends on its chief rival to build the machines that make it possible.

Alexander Stefanov

With over 8 years of experience in the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry, Alexander is a seasoned content creator and market analyst dedicated to making digital assets more accessible and understandable. He specializes in breaking down complex crypto trends, analyzing market movements, and producing insightful content aimed at educating both newcomers and seasoned investors. Alexander has built a reputation for delivering timely and accurate analysis, while keeping a close eye on regulatory developments, emerging technologies, and macroeconomic trends that shape the future of digital finance. His work is rooted in a passion for innovation and a firm belief that widespread education is key to accelerating global crypto adoption.