CleanSpark, a U.S.-based Bitcoin (BTC) mining company, has announced a significant move to expand its clean energy-powered operations. On June 18, the company revealed a $25.8 million deal to acquire five mining facilities in Georgia, set to immediately close. These new sites are expected to elevate CleanSpark’s processing power to over 3.7 exahashes per second (EH/s).
The newly acquired facilities, ranging from 8 to 15 megawatts (MW) each, collectively offer 60 MW of power. CleanSpark is confident this acquisition will boost its total hashrate beyond 20 EH/s by the end of June. Additionally, these sites come with interruptible-load designated power purchase agreements (PPAs), enhancing load-balancing services for the local electrical grid.
CleanSpark CEO Zach Bradford highlighted the dual benefits of this acquisition, stating, “These sites not only enhance the load-balancing capabilities for the local cities we work with but also secure our mid-year target of achieving 20 EH/s of operating hashrate.”
The Bitcoin mining industry in the U.S. has gained political attention, especially after former President Donald Trump declared that Bitcoin should be “made in the USA.” In a June 12 social media post, Trump suggested that Bitcoin might be America’s “last line of defense” against a central bank digital currency (CBDC) and could help make the U.S. energy dominant.
Trump’s comments have sparked debate within the crypto community. While some critics see his remarks as mere vote-pandering, others, like Shapeshift founder Erik Vorhees, view them as a positive gesture towards the crypto industry.
In response to Trump’s meeting with industry leaders and his supportive stance, executives from Marathon Digital Holdings, CleanSpark, and Riot Platforms have launched “The Bitcoin Voter Project.” This non-partisan, 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization aims to educate voters about the digital asset market and blockchain industry, focusing on raising awareness rather than endorsing political candidates.
CleanSpark’s recent acquisition and the political developments highlight the growing significance of Bitcoin mining in the U.S. and its potential impact on energy and policy discussions.