PANews reported on May 23 that according to WIRED, the bitcoin mining craze in Kentucky, the United States, has subsided. The state once accounted for 20% of the mining power in the United States. A large number of mines have been shut down, and some operators have disappeared after being accused of defaulting on payments, resulting in the unemployment of local miners. A typical case shows that the Mohawk Energy project in which state legislator Brandon Smith participated failed to deliver on his employment promise and is currently involved in a legal dispute.

The local area is exploring the construction of AI data centers. The regional economic development organization pointed out that the region has infrastructure and labor advantages, with the number of welders twice the national average. However, environmentalists are concerned that high-energy-consuming facilities may bring pollution risks. The governor of Kentucky signed the Bitcoin Rights Act in March 2025 to protect the right to use digital assets. Although the regulatory terms have been relaxed, the bill is still seen as support for the crypto mining industry. The industry is currently concerned about whether Bitcoin mining will recover with the opportunity of AI transformation.