Senator Elizabeth Warren has despatched a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick requesting paperwork and communications associated to Bitmain, the Chinese language firm that manufactures a big share of the world’s Bitcoin mining tools.
Operation Purple Sundown
In November final 12 months, US authorities launched an investigation into Bitmain dubbed “Operation Purple Sundown,” led by the Division of Homeland Safety.
The probe aimed to look at whether or not Bitmain’s ASIC machines may very well be remotely accessed for espionage or used to disrupt the US energy grid.
In line with Bloomberg, the investigation stays unresolved, and its present standing is unclear — nationwide safety probes of this sort can run for years with out public disclosure or authorized motion.
Deepening scrutiny
The considerations aren’t new.
In 2024, a federal overview flagged the usage of Bitmain machines close to a US army base as elevating “vital nationwide safety considerations.”
Authorities additionally beforehand halted shipments of Bitmain gadgets and launched a separate investigation right into a associated Chinese language chip agency over alleged hyperlinks to sanctioned Huawei.
Regardless of the scrutiny, Bitmain was reportedly getting ready to open its first US-based ASIC manufacturing facility, with chip manufacturing anticipated to start in early 2026 and scale by year-end, in keeping with Bloomberg.
Trump household ties elevate questions
Bitmain’s machines are extensively used throughout the trade, together with by American Bitcoin Corp., which counts Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. amongst its traders.
The agency agreed final 12 months to accumulate 16,000 Bitmain rigs in a $314 million deal.
Warren’s letter additionally seeks particulars on any communications between Bitmain, the Trump household, and Commerce officers, and asks what steps the division has taken to protect nationwide safety choices from political affect.
Neither Warren’s workplace nor Bitmain had responded to requests for remark by the point of publication.