American Bitcoin, a Bitcoin mining firm backed by members of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s family, has exercised a purchase option for 16,299 Antminer U3S21EXPH ASIC units from Bitmain, totaling roughly $314 million. Each unit is capable of 14.02 exahashes per second (EH/s) of computing power. The acquisition comes amid ongoing trade tariffs imposed on Chinese-made products, a factor excluded from the purchase agreement.
Trump-backed American Bitcoin makes major move
Bitmain recently announced it plans to establish its first ASIC manufacturing facility in the United States by the end of 2025, with a new headquarters slated for either Florida or Texas. The move aims to mitigate the impact of trade tariffs on its products while expanding U.S.-based operations.
The tariffs and other macroeconomic factors have intensified challenges across the Bitcoin mining supply chain. As miners and hardware manufacturers adjust to rising costs and shifting financial dynamics, relocating production to the U.S. has emerged as a strategic solution for hardware makers. According to a University of Cambridge study, over 99% of all Bitcoin mining hardware is produced by Bitmain, MicroBT, and Canaan, with Bitmain holding a commanding 82% market share.
Trade tariffs and market pressures shape mining world
Trump administration’s trade policies warn that higher import costs could reduce domestic demand for mining equipment. Jaran Mellerud, CEO of Hashlabs, cautioned that inflated prices may lead to unsold inventory, forcing ASIC manufacturers to sell abroad at lower prices. Such dynamics could push mining operations back overseas, undermining U.S. miners’ competitiveness and counteracting government efforts to reshore crypto production.
