Bitmain, a leading name in Bitcoin mining gear, is fighting a tough legal battle in Texas. The company wants to get back 2,700 Antminer machines. These powerful computers are worth more than $5.5 million. Bitmain says Orb Energy Co. badly managed things and stole digital money. This fight comes just weeks after Orb Energy filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The outcome could shake up how Chinese companies operate in the U.S. mining world.
On August 27, 2025, Bitmain made an emergency request to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. Bitmain argued that the automatic pause from Orb’s bankruptcy filing should not cover its Antminer units. The Chinese company insists it still owns these machines. They were held under a special hosting and sales agreement. Bitmain believes its equipment should not be part of Orb’s bankruptcy assets.
Serious Charges: Stolen Funds and Damaged Gear
Bitmain claims Orb Energy started taking mining profits on December 4, 2024. They say Orb sent payments from Bitmain’s machines to digital wallets controlled by its CEO, Jamieson Zaniewski. This move, Bitmain alleges, redirected Bitcoin worth nearly $10 million at today’s prices.
The company also accuses Zaniewski of selling Bitmain’s Bitcoin around mid-2025. This happened right before important court hearings. Bitmain states Zaniewski hid wallet addresses and transaction records. This made it harder to track the stolen funds.
Bitmain also said that Orb blocked its staff from getting onto the site. This happened despite state court orders. Orb put up fences and warning signs, even mentioning firearms. These details came from court documents. What’s more, Bitmain claims Orb installed unauthorized software. This software bypassed security rules and badly damaged hundreds of units. Bitmain also states Orb used Bitcoin profits for internal loans.
Contract Ended, Legal Action Taken
Bitmain says it officially ended the hosting contract in July 2025. This was after Orb ignored many warnings about breaking the agreement. Bitmain expected to get its equipment back. But Orb listed the hardware as its own in the bankruptcy papers. This forced Bitmain to take urgent legal action. This dispute also showed that Bitmain runs its own mining operations in the U.S. This is something the company had kept quiet about before.
Government Eyes on Bitmain and Cango
The legal action against Orb happened shortly after another important event. On September 2, 2025, Representative Zachary Nunn sent a letter. Nunn is a member of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. He wrote to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Nunn asked the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to look into Bitmain and its partner, Cango. He wants them investigated for their growing presence in the U.S. market.
Nunn’s letter, reported by Bloomberg, argued that both companies “seem to be expanding operations in the U.S. through complex ownership and financing structures.” He added these might not be fully clear to regulators or the public. Bitmain has denied any plans to buy Cango. Both companies say they follow U.S. laws and have no ties to the Chinese government.
Cango started as a Chinese company offering car services, and it’s listed in the U.S. It has since moved into Bitcoin mining. Now, it’s one of the top five players in the sector. This new government review could get more intense. It comes amidst political and economic tensions between the U.S. and China. This adds more pressure on companies trying to grow in the cryptocurrency mining industry.
Source: The Miner Mag