Ending Soon! Save 33% on All Access

China's Bitcoin Miners Head to Texas and Florida: Report Beijing's harsh crackdown on the Bitcoin industry has triggered what's being dubbed "the great mining migration."

By Euni Han Edited by Emily Rella

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

diyun Zhu | Getty Images

China has been home to 60% to 75% of the world's Bitcoin mining in recent years, the energy-intensive process that makes new coins and keeps a running tally of all transactions on existing cryptocurrencies.

But in May, the government restricted mining and trading, prompting an exodus of miners to states like Texas and Florida, according to CNBC. The Lone Star State's abundance of solar and wind power, deregulated power market and pro-crypto political stance make it a perfect destination, says Brandon Arvanaghi, a former security engineer at crypto exchange Gemini.

"Texas not only has the cheapest electricity in the U.S. but some of the cheapest in the globe...[and] governors like Greg Abbott in Texas … are promoting mining."

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez says he's also looking to lower energy costs with the hopes of attracting bitcoin miners.

Because the industry requires very little beyond an internet connection, the business is incredibly flexible, says Steve Barbour, founder of Upstream Data, a manufacturer and supplier of portable mining solutions for oil and gas facilities.

"[It's] a portable market; you can bring it right to the source of energy," he says.

Other possible global destinations include countries like Kazakhstan which is next door to China. The nation's coal mines offer a low-cost, abundant energy supply and the government has building-friendly policies which make it easy to construct offices quickly.

But what's still not clear is how fast or far "the migration," as it's known in crypto circles, will unfold. Arvanaghi says movement has already begun and "a dramatic shift" should follow in the next few months. His optimism is long-term with the eventual development into a viable business, "It is going to become a real industry in the United States, which is going to be incredible."

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business Models

How to Become an AI-Centric Business (and Why It's Crucial for Long-Term Success)

Learn the essential steps to integrate AI at the core of your operations and stay competitive in an ever-evolving landscape.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Career

Is Consumer Services a Good Career Path for 2024? Here's the Verdict

Consumer services is a broad field with a variety of benefits and drawbacks. Here's what you should consider before choosing it as a career path.