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January 4, 2026 12:30 AM UTC

Bitcoin Mining Nationalized? US Senators Float Bold New Reserve-Backed Bill

About 97% of the machines used to mine Bitcoin currently come from companies based in China. This heavy reliance on foreign technology has created a bottleneck at American ports and raised alarms about the long-term security of the network. Related Reading: Bitcoin ETFs Pull In $56B As CEO Pitches Crypto Over Gold To fix this, US Senators Bill Cassidy and Cynthia Lummis introduced the Mined in America Act. The bill aims to move the production of specialized computer chips and mining rigs onto American soil. Cleaning Up The Mining Supply Chain The proposed law creates a special “Mined in America” certification for data centers. To earn this label, a facility must prove it is not using equipment made by “foreign adversaries.” This would force a massive shift in how the industry operates. Right now, most miners buy their hardware from Chinese giants like Bitmain or MicroBT. Under the new rules, companies would have to phase out that gear in favor of US-made alternatives. It is a bold attempt to build a domestic industry from the ground up. Digital asset mining is a big part of our economy. We should be doing it here in America. Proud to introduce the Mined in America Act with @SenLummis, which secures supply chains, backs U.S. manufacturing, and supports this key industry.https://t.co/qZdv6SEe3g — U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (@SenBillCassidy) March 30, 2026 Reports indicate that federal agencies would play a major role in this transition. The National Institute of Standards and Technology would be tasked with helping US manufacturers develop more efficient chips. This move is designed to ensure that the US does not just host the mining power, but actually owns the technology behind it. By making the hardware at home, the industry could avoid the shipping delays and customs seizures that have slowed down growth over the last year. Connecting Mining To National Reserves The legislation does more than just worry about hardware. It also seeks to lock in a plan for a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. US President Donald Trump has previously expressed support for the government holding a stockpile of the digital currency. This bill would codify that idea into law. It suggests that the Bitcoin held in this national reserve should ideally come from “Mined in America” facilities. This creates a direct link between national security and the computers humming in rural warehouses across the country. Related Reading: Bitcoin Faces Fresh Pressure As Oil Crosses $104 For First Time In 4 Years Data shows the US currently accounts for roughly 38% of the global hashrate, which is the total computing power used to secure the Bitcoin network. While that makes the US a leader in operations, it remains a follower in manufacturing. Officials said the bill would use the Manufacturing Extension Partnership to give small and medium-sized American factories the tools they need to compete. The goal is to turn Bitcoin mining into a pillar of American industrial policy rather than just a niche financial activity. Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView