US State of Arkansas Rejects Bill to Criminalize Bitcoin Mining Near Military Sites

The Arkansas Senate rejects a bill seeking to prohibit Bitcoin mining activities across locations close to military sites.  The Arkansas Senate Committee on City, County, and Local Affairs voted against the bill to ban crypto-related mining operations within a 30-mile radius of military sites.  According to a report by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the committee voted against this bill in a 6-1 vote yesterday. The bill had proposed an immediate ban on Bitcoin mining activities established close to military facilities, citing health and security concerns.  If the bill had passed, Arkansas would have revoked business permits already issued to Bitcoin mining companies operating near military sites, making their operations illegal.  Trump Promises Unending Support for Bitcoin Mining  Recall that the Joe Biden administration was strict against crypto businesses, including those focused on Bitcoin mining. In May 2024, due to security concerns, the administration stopped a Chinese-backed crypto mining firm, Mine One Partners Limited, from securing a facility close to a Wyoming Air Force base.  However, Donald Trump has promised unending support for the industry, potentially making the U.S. the crypto capital of the world. The initiative includes ensuring that the U.S. becomes the destination where all future Bitcoins would be mined.  Per a recent report by TheMinerMag, the United States already accounts for more than 40% of Bitcoin mining hashrate. This figure could soar soon, as Trump’s administration might implement friendly regulations to attract more Bitcoin miners into the country.   Bitcoin Miners Addressing Environmental Concerns  Meanwhile, Bitcoin miners are making significant efforts to tackle concerns relating to environmental waste and high energy consumption.  For instance, Canaan, a popular blockchain hardware manufacturer, launched the Avalon Mini 3 miner, a dual-purpose Bitcoin miner that also serves as a home heater.  The miner, unveiled at CES 2025 in Las Vegas this year, has a 37.5 TH/s capacity, allowing users to warm their homes with the heat emanating from the equipment.