U.S. Customs and Border Protection is ramping up seizures of Bitcoin mining machines at ports. Allegations of trade-restricted AI chips in mining hardware have raised concerns, prompting swaps in compliance.

Expand the seizure to MicroBT and Canaan products could limit Bitcoin hashrate growth, affecting North American mining capabilities. Industry leaders, including Trump, support domestic mining initiatives.

The legal basis for these seizures stems from regulations on unauthorized communications equipment. This could enforce stricter controls over global trade involving mining hardware and silicon-based products.