ICE Raids Texas Bitcoin Mine, Detains Bitmain Employees
- ICE raids Texas Bitcoin mine in regulatory crackdown.
- 12-13 Bitmain-affiliated employees detained.
- U.S.-China crypto tensions highlighted.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, alongside federal and state agencies, raided the Lonestar Dream Bitcoin mine in Pyote, Texas, detaining 12–13 employees on September 29, 2025.
The raid highlights U.S. regulatory scrutiny on Chinese-linked cryptocurrency infrastructure, exposing geopolitical tensions and potential risks for Bitcoin mining operations.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) led an operation on the Lonestar Dream Bitcoin mine in Texas. This operation detained 12–13 employees linked to Bitmain affiliate ADW Tech, revealing tensions in the crypto sector.
The raid involves ICE, FBI, Homeland Security, and state agencies. Employees detained are mainly Chinese nationals with expired visas and held key roles at the Texas facility. No official comments from Bitmain leadership have emerged.
The crackdown disrupts Bitcoin mining in the U.S. and underscores regulatory risks. It brings supply chain vulnerabilities to the forefront, particularly affecting Bitmain-based mining activities and U.S. Bitcoin production.
No Public Statements Found: No executives or representatives from Bitmain, Lonestar Dream, or ADW Tech have made statements regarding the raid as of the current date. This includes individuals like Jihan Wu (CEO of Bitmain) and others associated with these companies.
There are no public statement from Lonestar and Bitmain on this issue. Financial impacts on Bitcoin or related assets remain speculative without specific statements. Bitcoin’s mining-centric ecosystem may face indirect pressure, according to analysis.
Historically, U.S. agencies have targeted Chinese-linked firms since 2024, impacting costs significantly with seized hardware. This action emphasizes growing geopolitical challenges in the global crypto landscape.
The crackdown may alter regulatory and operational landscapes, possibly affecting global Bitcoin mining strategies. Stakeholders are likely to reassess U.S. import routes and supply chains amid heightened scrutiny on cryptocurrency infrastructures.
