Senators Introduce ‘Mined in America’ Bill to Enhance U.S. Bitcoin Mining

On March 30, Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) unveiled the Mined in America Act. This legislation establishes a federal certification program for domestic Bitcoin mining operations and turns President Trump’s Strategic Bitcoin Reserve executive order into law.

Key Takeaways:

Legislative Objective: The Mined in America Act introduces a voluntary certification from the Commerce Department for mining operations that pledge to eliminate hardware from foreign adversaries, with a complete transition by the decade's end.
Federal Support: Certified miners will gain access to existing Department of Energy (DOE) and USDA programs for grid stabilization, renewable energy absorption, and methane capture, without requiring additional federal spending.
Bitcoin Reserve Pipeline: The bill solidifies Trump’s Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and allows certified U.S. miners to sell newly mined Bitcoin directly to this reserve in exchange for capital gains tax exemptions.
Addressing Hardware Risks: Customs inspections in late 2024 identified firmware vulnerabilities in Chinese mining rigs that could allow remote access, emphasizing the importance of the bill’s hardware phase-out requirements.
Looking Ahead: The committee assignment to the Senate Commerce or Energy and Natural Resources will impact the timeline for hearings and possible amendments affecting the incentive structure.

Learn about the Mined in America Act which aims at reforming Bitcoin mining regulations and reducing foreign hardware dependency.

The bill addresses a pressing issue within the industry: while the U.S. accounts for 38% of the global Bitcoin hash rate, it relies heavily on foreign sources, obtaining 97% of its mining hardware from China. This inconsistency is the foundation of the legislative initiative, highlighting the need to tackle hardware dependence while managing hash rate geography.

Understanding the Mined in America Act and Its Certification Process

The Mined in America Act features a voluntary certification program administered by the Commerce Department. Mining operations that choose to participate will work towards phasing out hardware produced by companies linked to foreign adversaries, specifically naming China and Russia, with the full transition required by the end of the decade.

This aspect is crucial because, while participation is voluntary and non-compliance carries no penalties, the structure includes economic incentives to encourage certification. Certified mining facilities can access existing DOE and USDA financing programs aimed at stabilizing grids, absorbing excess renewable energy, and capturing methane from landfills and oil fields.

Image showcasing renewable energy and mining interaction

There's no need for new budget appropriations, which shields the bill from potential criticism from deficit-focused lawmakers.

Additionally, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership will support U.S. companies in developing domestic ASIC miners, necessitating local assembly. This involvement by NIST suggests that the bill positions hardware security as a critical issue of standards rather than solely a trade policy concern.

By solidifying the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, the bill establishes a direct pipeline for certified miners to sell freshly mined Bitcoin to the reserve while receiving capital gains tax exemptions. This mechanism is budget-neutral and does not require the Treasury to seek funds on the market.

Dennis Porter, CEO and co-founder of the Satoshi Action Fund, which helped develop the legislation, stated: “America controls 38 percent of the world’s Bitcoin hash rate, but 97 percent of the hardware powering it comes from China. That is not leadership; it is a liability.”

Upcoming Developments to Monitor

The next critical step for the bill is its assignment to a committee. Senate leadership is expected to allocate it to either the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee or the Energy and Natural Resources Committee in the upcoming weeks.

A referral to the Commerce Committee would provide a quicker route for discussion, as the Energy and Natural Resources Committee has a more packed agenda for Q2 2026.

Senate committee discussions

Expect a companion bill to be introduced in the House within 60 days, as Lummis has previously coordinated with House counterparts on crypto-related legislation, with a strong political incentive to move forward concurrently as midterm elections approach.

The timeline for initial NIST ASIC development guidelines will also serve as a key indicator; if they are published within 90 days of potential passage, it will suggest that the executive branch is prioritizing the implementation infrastructure ahead of floor votes.

For mining stocks, a significant early indicator will be the guidance on DOE program eligibility. If the Commerce and DOE quickly release joint certification criteria, expect notable movement in shares of companies like MARA, RIOT, and CLSK, even before any operational benefits arise.

The bill is advancing through the legislative calendar. Stakeholders should keep an eye on whether the incentive structure remains unchanged during committee debates, particularly regarding capital gains exemptions for reserve sales, as this will be crucial for traders.

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