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US Authorities Begin Releasing Some Seized Cryptocurrency Miners

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U.S. authorities have recently started releasing Chinese-made cryptocurrency mining equipment that was previously seized, according to industry executives. These miners, powerful computers with specialized chips, play a key role in cryptocurrency networks by solving complex mathematical problems and building blockchains, earning rewards in digital currency.

Taras Kulyk, CEO of Synteq Digital, a cryptocurrency mining equipment broker, confirmed that thousands of seized units are being returned. At one point, up to 10,000 mining units were stuck at various U.S. ports, according to Kulyk. He suggested that some Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials might have been hostile towards bitcoin mining, creating significant disruption for the sector.

The seizures, which began late last year, involved U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Industry publication Blockspace reported that the machines were detained, in part, because they contained chips from Sophgo, a Chinese chip company. This came amidst ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China, with U.S. authorities citing security concerns, particularly regarding radio frequency emissions from the equipment.

Ethan Vera, COO of Luxor Technology, said that although some seized shipments are being returned, most are still being held. Both Kulyk and Vera rejected concerns raised about the emissions from the machines, calling them unfounded.

The release of some of the detained equipment occurs against the backdrop of the U.S.-China trade war, with issues regarding national security and trade restrictions complicating the situation. Sophgo, which faced penalties late in the Biden administration for its alleged links to Chinese telecom giant Huawei, is at the center of the controversy.

Sony and Suntory Stockpile Inventory as Japan Faces Potential U.S. Tariff Threat

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Japanese companies Sony and Suntory are taking proactive steps to safeguard against potential tariffs imposed by the U.S., building up stockpiles of products in the country. These moves come as President Donald Trump has hinted at further tariffs, specifically targeting Japan, after imposing new trade barriers on Mexico and China—key low-cost production hubs for Japanese industries such as automotive manufacturing.

The ongoing uncertainty regarding U.S. trade policies is exacerbated by Japan’s heavy reliance on exports, particularly to the United States, which has become increasingly vulnerable to tariff measures. The latest potential threat for Japan Inc. has already prompted some companies to adjust production strategies. For instance, Honda has moved some of its production to the U.S., and Japan Display, a major supplier of LCD screens to the automotive sector, is also considering shifting some of its production to the U.S.

Sony, a key player in the electronics and gaming industries, confirmed that it has been preparing for tariffs by stockpiling inventory in the U.S. A similar strategy has been employed by Suntory, a global drinks maker, which shipped tequila from its Mexican brands to the U.S. to avoid tariffs. Suntory is also looking at shifting its sales strategy by selling more American whiskey in the U.S.

Other companies, such as Alps Alpine and Murata Manufacturing, are adjusting their supply chains to avoid the impact of tariffs, with Alps considering moving production back to Japan, while Murata is diversifying its production across China, Japan, and Thailand.

The trade uncertainty has spurred over 300 Japanese companies to consider entering the U.S. market, reflecting growing concerns about tariffs and the shifting trade environment. According to a survey by Japan’s export-promotion agency, many companies are planning to set up U.S. operations to insulate themselves from escalating trade tensions.

MediaTek Prepares for Potential US Tariffs Amid Uncertainty

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MediaTek, Taiwan’s leading chip design firm, has been running simulations in anticipation of potential U.S. tariffs on Taiwanese goods, according to CEO Rick Tsai. Despite the uncertainty surrounding this issue, Tsai expressed confidence that the impact would be “manageable” in 2025.

Taiwan’s tech industry, including giants like TSMC, faces the risk of tariffs as U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed such measures to incentivize semiconductor production within the United States. On the campaign trail, Trump criticized Taiwan for allegedly taking U.S. semiconductor business.

Trump has outlined plans to impose tariffs on imported chips, as well as other products such as pharmaceuticals and steel, though no specific timeline has been set. When asked about the potential effects on MediaTek, Tsai referred to the situation as “very unpredictable,” but assured that the company is taking proactive measures, such as simulations, to prepare for the possible changes.

Although Tsai acknowledged the unpredictability of the situation, he believes the impact of any tariffs in the short term will be manageable, especially for 2025. “There are so many variables, so it’s very difficult to give an accurate estimate now,” he said.

In addition to trade concerns, MediaTek is facing pressure from the rise of DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup whose lower-cost models are posing a challenge to Western tech investments in chipmakers and data centers. Despite this, Tsai remains optimistic about the AI market, noting that the spread of AI will benefit average users.

MediaTek’s shares have outperformed the broader market in 2025, showing a 7.8% gain so far, while the overall market has gained only 1.9%. However, the company’s shares closed flat on Friday.