Amid ongoing debates over technology sovereignty and national security, the U.S. Senate has taken a significant step toward tightening control over AI and high‑performance chip exports. The newly approved legislation aims to prioritize domestic manufacturing and restrict export licenses for advanced processors, potentially reshaping global supply chains and impacting sectors like crypto mining that rely heavily on cutting‑edge hardware.
Key Takeaways
- •The Senate has advanced the GAIN Act, requiring chipmakers to prioritize U.S. orders over exports of advanced AI processors.
- •The legislation grants Congress authority to deny export licenses for high‑end AI chips, with some provisions awaiting approval in the broader NDAA.
- •Importantly, this move could influence the global crypto mining hardware market, as restrictions may drive up costs and limit access to critical equipment.
- •Current trade tensions, tariffs, and export controls are already affecting the profitability and supply chains of crypto mining companies operating in the United States and abroad.
The U.S. Senate has passed an important amendment to the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), known as the Guaranteeing Access and Innovation for National Artificial Intelligence Act of 2026, or GAIN Act. This legislation mandates that AI and high‑performance computing chip manufacturers prioritize orders from U.S. customers before exporting their products overseas. It also grants Congress the authority to deny export licenses for the most advanced AI processors and requires licensing for all products containing “advanced integrated circuits.”
According to advocacy groups, US firms have faced persistent supply chain backlogs. For instance, in late 2024, NVIDIA’s Blackwell line of chips was sold out approximately 12 months in advance, highlighting the sector’s strained capacity. To export high‑end AI hardware legally, companies must demonstrate that all domestic orders have been fulfilled first, adding a layer of export control that could affect global markets.
However, the legislation is still subject to approval by the House of Representatives and the president’s signature. As such, the final version of the NDAA and the GAIN Act’s provisions remain uncertain, dependent on Congressional negotiations and political consensus.
This move toward export restrictions is observed as another challenge for the global crypto mining industry, heavily reliant on imported hardware. Current trade tensions, including tariffs and trade wars initiated during the Trump administration, have already caused significant disruptions. Companies like CleanSpark and IREN have faced liabilities totaling hundreds of millions of dollars when US Customs claimed some imported mining equipment originated from China, leading to increased costs and operational uncertainties.
Such restrictions could make hardware more expensive and harder to source outside the U.S., potentially reducing America’s share of global mining power and weakening its strategic position. This could undermine the goal of positioning the U.S. as a leading hub for crypto innovation and mining, especially as international competitors benefit from lower hardware costs due to fewer export controls.
“Trade policies are already reshaping the landscape of crypto mining hardware supply and costs. Tighter export controls threaten to accelerate the decline of U.S. dominance in proof‑of‑work networks,”
The evolving trade policies and regulatory environment continue to serve as critical factors influencing the future of blockchain technology, cryptocurrency markets, and Bitcoin’s security infrastructure. Industry stakeholders are closely watching how these legislative developments unfold and how they will impact the interconnected global crypto ecosystem.