The global bitcoin mining hardware landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by geopolitical tensions, supply chain reconfiguration, and increasing demand from institutional miners in North America. At the center of this shift is MicroBT, the Chinese manufacturer behind the popular Whatsminer series, which recently announced a strategic partnership with Foundry Digital LLC—a key player in the U.S.-based Digital Currency Group (DCG) ecosystem.
This collaboration marks a pivotal move in MicroBT’s international expansion, focusing on establishing offshore manufacturing capabilities in Southeast Asia dedicated to serving North American markets.
Strategic Offshore Manufacturing for North American Demand
In late September, MicroBT revealed plans to launch an overseas production facility through a partnership with Foundry. The new arrangement involves contracting a manufacturing plant in Southeast Asia to produce Whatsminer M30S series units specifically for U.S. customers. This strategic pivot aims to bypass longstanding trade barriers, including the 25% tariff traditionally imposed on mining equipment imported from China into the United States.
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By decentralizing production away from mainland China, MicroBT not only reduces logistical friction but also strengthens its foothold in one of the world’s fastest-growing mining regions. Foundry will be among the first recipients of these newly manufactured M30S units, ensuring timely delivery to institutional clients across North America.
Chen Jianbing, Chief Operating Officer at MicroBT, emphasized the company's commitment: “We will continue to work closely with Foundry to provide North American customers with the highest quality machines and after-sales support.” He added that this initiative supports broader network resilience by further geographically diversifying bitcoin’s hashrate—a critical factor in maintaining the security and decentralization of the blockchain.
Foundry’s Expanding Role in the Mining Ecosystem
Foundry Digital LLC has emerged as a cornerstone of DCG’s strategy to strengthen North America’s position in the bitcoin mining industry. Beyond offering mining pool services and financing solutions, Foundry has increasingly focused on supply chain innovation and infrastructure development.
The partnership with MicroBT aligns with Foundry’s mission to empower institutional miners with reliable access to cutting-edge hardware. Mike Colyer, CEO of Foundry, stated: “Through our collaboration with MicroBT and their enhanced production capacity, we look forward to continuing to deliver timely procurement and deployment of the latest-generation bitcoin mining hardware to our institutional mining clients in North America.”
This move comes amid growing interest from publicly traded mining firms such as Marathon Digital Holdings, Hut8 Mining, and Riot Blockchain—all of which have placed large orders for next-generation ASIC miners from both MicroBT and Bitmain in recent months.
Industry-Wide Shift Toward Regionalized Production
MicroBT’s offshore manufacturing strategy reflects a broader trend within the cryptocurrency mining sector. As geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China persist, companies are re-evaluating their supply chains to mitigate risk and improve delivery efficiency.
Just days before MicroBT’s announcement, Bitmain—its primary competitor—also unveiled a partnership with Foundry. Additionally, Bitmain established a subsidiary in Malaysia and announced a joint venture with Core Scientific to create a North American repair center for mining equipment. This initiative aims to drastically reduce downtime for faulty machines, addressing a long-standing pain point for operators.
These developments signal a maturation of the mining industry, now approaching what researchers at the University of Cambridge describe as “industrial scale” operations. According to the third edition of the Cambridge Global Cryptocurrency Benchmarking Study, bitcoin mining has evolved from garage-based setups to large-scale data center-style facilities requiring sophisticated logistics, maintenance, and energy management.
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Strengthening North America’s Mining Infrastructure
The influx of high-performance mining hardware into North America is bolstering regional hashrate share. Countries like the United States and Canada are increasingly viewed as stable, regulatory-friendly jurisdictions for large-scale mining operations.
With reliable power grids, favorable climate conditions in certain regions, and growing institutional investment, North America is becoming a preferred destination for mining expansion. The ability to source equipment locally—or near-locally—through offshore production hubs enhances this competitive advantage.
Moreover, direct purchasing options enabled by MicroBT’s Southeast Asian facility allow U.S.-based enterprises to avoid customs delays and unpredictable import costs. This level of supply chain control is essential for operators managing large fleets where uptime and cost predictability directly impact profitability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why is MicroBT building a factory outside of China?
A: To avoid the 25% U.S. import tariff on Chinese-made mining equipment and to provide faster, more reliable delivery to North American customers. Offshore manufacturing also helps diversify global supply chains amid ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions.
Q: Where will the new MicroBT factory be located?
A: While the exact country hasn’t been disclosed, MicroBT has confirmed it has contracted a manufacturing partner in Southeast Asia to produce Whatsminer devices for North American markets.
Q: What models will be produced at the offshore facility?
A: The initial production batch will focus on the M30S series of Whatsminer ASIC miners—known for their energy efficiency and high hash rates—targeting institutional-grade mining operations.
Q: How does this benefit North American miners?
A: Miners gain faster access to hardware without tariff markups, reduced shipping times, and improved after-sales support. It also contributes to greater geographic decentralization of bitcoin’s network security.
Q: Is this related to any regulatory changes?
A: While not directly tied to new regulations, the shift supports compliance readiness by enabling clearer audit trails, local servicing options, and alignment with ESG-focused operational standards increasingly demanded by investors.
Q: How does Foundry benefit from this partnership?
A: Foundry strengthens its role as a full-service mining enabler by securing early access to hardware stock, enhancing its ability to serve institutional clients with end-to-end solutions—from financing to deployment.
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Conclusion
MicroBT’s partnership with Foundry represents more than just a manufacturing expansion—it's a strategic response to evolving global dynamics in cryptocurrency mining. By establishing offshore production tailored for North American demand, MicroBT positions itself as a key enabler of decentralized, secure, and efficient bitcoin mining infrastructure.
As the industry continues its shift toward industrial-scale operations, such collaborations will play a crucial role in shaping the future of blockchain security, supply chain resilience, and geographic distribution of computational power. For institutional miners, these developments translate into better hardware access, lower operational risks, and stronger long-term sustainability.
The era of localized, agile mining ecosystems supported by global partnerships has arrived—and it's redefining how the world mines bitcoin.