U.S. Bitcoin Miners Hit by Tariffs, Scramble for ASIC Equipment

Bitcoin miners in the U.S. are scrambling to adjust to new tariffs introduced by the Trump administration, which are expected to significantly raise costs for ASIC miners, electrical components, and mining infrastructure. Despite a 90-day grace period that softened initial tariff rates to 10% for most countries—excluding China—uncertainty remains around long-term trade policy.

ASIC machines, vital to Bitcoin mining, are largely manufactured in Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. These countries faced steep proposed tariffs—up to 36%—before the temporary pause. U.S. miners, trying to beat the deadline, reportedly spent $2–3.5 million per charter flight to expedite shipments. However, with policy changes arriving mid-crisis, many shipments may have been rushed unnecessarily.

Industry leaders warn that even a 10% tariff will impact hash rate expansion in the U.S., which currently controls around 35–40% of global hashrate. Bitmain and MicroBT—dominant ASIC producers—have opened limited U.S. facilities, but most production still occurs overseas. Tariffs on raw materials and Chinese electronics, which may rise as high as 125%, further increase costs for domestic miners.

Experts say this trade shift could mirror the impact of China’s 2021 mining ban, potentially pushing hashrate growth toward countries like Canada, Northern Europe, South America, and Africa. However, regulatory hurdles and energy access issues may limit these options.

M&A activity may rise as older U.S. mining operations become more attractive due to already-deployed infrastructure. Still, many firms are holding back on equipment purchases, waiting for more policy clarity.

Ultimately, these tariffs may dampen U.S. mining competitiveness while benefiting international miners with cheaper ASIC access. With the future of U.S. bitcoin mining in flux, global hashrate distribution is likely to shift significantly in the coming months.