U.S. authorities have begun releasing some of the thousands of seized cryptocurrency mining machines made in China, although a significant number remain in custody as of early March 2025.

Taras Kulyk, CEO of Synteq Digital, reported that approximately 10,000 miners were initially detained at various U.S. ports, with thousands now being released.

Despite the releases, Ethan Vera, COO of Luxor Technology, indicated that the majority of shipments are still on hold, with only a minority cleared for return.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has been releasing these Chinese-made crypto miners after months of delays, responding to concerns raised by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

The seizures began in late 2022, driven by concerns over equipment from the Chinese company Sophgo, which has faced scrutiny due to its ties to trade-restricted technology.

These detentions were reportedly influenced by U.S. officials' disapproval of Bitcoin mining and the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China regarding semiconductor technology.

This crackdown on mining equipment is part of the broader trade tensions between the U.S. and China, exacerbated by security concerns raised during the Biden administration.

The enforcement actions align with the U.S. government's efforts to impose stricter restrictions on Chinese imports, a trend that began during the Trump administration.

China remains a dominant player in the crypto mining industry, producing 98% of all chips used, with Bitmain being the largest manufacturer and expanding its U.S. production capabilities.

One company reported incurring over $200,000 in holding fees for 200 ASICs awaiting release, highlighting the financial impact of the seizures on U.S.-based miners.

Concerns about potential radio frequency emissions from the mining rigs were cited as a reason for the detentions, though industry leaders argue these claims are unfounded.

The CBP's actions to seize the equipment were taken at the request of the FCC, which sought to enforce regulations regarding the importation of potentially non-compliant technology.