- Senate advances GAIN Act to prioritize U.S. access to AI chips.
- New export restrictions could reshape global crypto mining hardware supply.
- GAIN Act awaits House approval, leaving chip export policy uncertain.
The United States Senate has taken a major step toward reshaping global chip trade by approving the Guaranteeing Access and Innovation for National Artificial Intelligence Act, or GAIN Act, as part of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act. The legislation requires chipmakers to serve domestic customers before exporting advanced processors abroad.
Under the GAIN Act, manufacturers of artificial intelligence and high-performance chips must prove that all U.S. orders have been fulfilled before receiving export licenses. The measure also allows Congress to deny export licenses for the most advanced AI chips and mandates licenses for any product containing what it defines as an “advanced integrated circuit.”
According to policy group Americans for Responsible Innovation, the decision follows years of supply shortages affecting American firms. Nvidia’s Blackwell line of processors was reportedly backlogged for about a year by late 2024, underscoring the urgency for local access to computing hardware.
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Export Rules Could Impact Global Crypto Mining
Tighter export controls on AI and high-performance processors could ripple through the crypto mining sector, which relies heavily on global supply chains. Hardware shortages could make it harder for miners to acquire the equipment needed for large-scale operations.
The crypto industry has already been strained by tariffs and trade conflicts. CleanSpark, a U.S.-based mining company, reportedly faced $185 million in liabilities in July after U.S. Customs officials claimed that some of its hardware originated from China. Another American miner, IREN, incurred a $100 million bill under similar conditions.
Such challenges could lower hardware costs outside the United States, leaving U.S. miners at a disadvantage and reducing America’s share of global hash power. Analysts warn that this could undermine Washington’s broader goal of strengthening the nation’s role in digital infrastructure.
However, the GAIN Act remains an amendment within the NDAA and still requires approval from the House of Representatives and the president’s signature before becoming law. Negotiations in Congress could alter or remove some of its provisions, leaving the future of the bill uncertain.
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