U.S. Department of Homeland Security is leading a federal probe called “Operation Red Sunset” into China-based Bitmain to determine whether its Antminer ASICs can be remotely controlled for espionage or sabotage. Investigators reportedly disassembled devices and paused shipments after earlier scrutiny of a Bitmain-linked chip designer; Bitmain denies any remote-control capability. Given Bitmain’s dominant share of the ASIC market and large purchases by U.S. miners, the probe could affect the U.S. crypto-mining industry and companies that bought Antminers.

The DHS-led probe is investigating whether Bitmain ASICs can be remotely controlled (fact from summary); investigators disassembled devices and paused shipments (fact); Bitmain denies remote-control capability (fact); Bitmain’s dominant market share and large U.S. miner purchases mean the probe could affect the U.S. mining industry (fact).