In a surprise move, President Biden ordered a bitcoin mining facility near a nuclear missile base in Wyoming to cease operations, citing national security concerns. The facility, previously owned by MineOne, a company with Chinese ties, was sold to CleanSpark, a US-based bitcoin mining company, just days before the order.

CleanSpark had announced its purchase of the mining sites for nearly $19 million, without knowing about the impending order. The company plans to expand the sites by an additional 55 megawatts and deploy China-based Bitmain's latest mining machines. Despite the unexpected development, CleanSpark intends to move forward with the acquisition, acknowledging the concerns raised in the executive order.

The mining facility is located approximately 4,000 feet from the Warren Air Force Base, which houses Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). The order requires the removal of all mining equipment from the property within a mile of the military facility.

This marks the first time the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) has used its expanded authority to halt a real estate transaction, citing national security concerns. CleanSpark's board member, Tom Wood, a former senior US Navy officer and military analyst, expressed understanding for the concerns, stating that the presence of a Chinese-owned data processing facility near a critical defense infrastructure like Warren Air Force Base is a legitimate cause for concern.

The development has sparked attention due to the timing of the sale and the involvement of Chinese nationals. MineOne's director, Jiaming Li, has ties to various Chinese companies and has managed significant assets in the past. The situation highlights the growing scrutiny of Chinese investments in the US, particularly in sensitive areas like national security and technology.