Bitmain Partners With Eric Trump Despite Espionage Concerns

Chinese bitcoin mining powerhouse Bitmain has struck a deal with American Bitcoin, the crypto venture tied to Eric Trump. The partnership comes with serious baggage.

The Department of Homeland Security previously flagged Bitmain as an espionage risk, launching a probe into the company's operations. For years, security researchers and government officials have raised questions about whether Bitmain's mining rigs could pose national security threats.

None of that apparently mattered. Bitmain — the world's dominant manufacturer of bitcoin mining hardware — is now in business with a member of the First Family.

Bloomberg's profile lays out the tension plainly: a Chinese tech company with documented security concerns operating alongside the president's son in one of the most strategically sensitive sectors in tech. The arrangement raises obvious questions about vetting and due diligence at the highest levels.