Biden Orders Crypto Mine Shutdown Near Sensitive Air Force Base

President Joe Biden has issued an executive order shutting down a Chinese-owned Bitcoin mine located near a US Air Force base housing nuclear missiles. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) investigated the mine after a public tip and determined that it might threaten national security. The owners have 90 days to remove equipment and 120 days to sell the property. Governor Mark Gordon supports the order and commends Senator Tara Nethercott for sponsoring legislation on foreign land sales near critical infrastructure.

President Biden Orders Shutdown of Bitcoin Mine Near Sensitive Air Force Base

Cheyenne, Wyoming - On May 13, 2023, President Joe Biden issued an executive order compelling the closure of a cryptocurrency mining facility located in Cheyenne, Wyoming, due to concerns over national security. The bitcoin mine, owned by MineOne Partners, a company with Chinese nationals as shareholders, is situated within a one-mile radius of Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, which houses Minuteman III nuclear intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The executive order was prompted by a public tip that triggered an investigation by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). CFIUS concluded that the bitcoin facility "might take action that threatens to impair the national security of the United States."

In a statement, President Biden emphasized that foreign investments near critical infrastructure could pose significant risks to national security. He noted that the presence of the bitcoin mine near Francis E. Warren Air Force Base raised concerns about potential interference with military operations, sensitive communications, and the safety of nuclear weapons.

The executive order mandates that the owners of the facility remove their equipment within 90 days and sell or transfer ownership of the property within 120 days. The facility owners, who previously cited a favorable deal with a local power company as the reason for choosing the site, have not commented on the executive order.

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon expressed support for President Biden's decision, stating that it aligns with the state's commitment to protecting national security. Gordon acknowledged the efforts of state Senator Tara Nethercott (R-Cheyenne) in sponsoring Senate File 77 during the previous legislative session. The bill provided guidelines for foreign land sales near critical infrastructure.

Similar concerns have been raised in other states. Earlier this month, the governor of Arkansas signed a bill prohibiting foreign entities from purchasing land within a specified distance of military installations and critical infrastructure.

The reporting on this matter was supported by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides funding for state government coverage. Wyoming Public Media and Jackson Hole Community Radio have collaborated to cover state issues comprehensively through radio and online platforms.