beehiiv-import

⚡Tariffs, Tensions, Bitcoin and Texas!?️

Croxroad

16 Apr 2025 — 3 min read

☕️ GM Dear Plebs!

Here is Crox Road, your daily dose of orange pill that will turn you into a Bitcoin Maxi.

The menu for today:

💰 Bitdeer to Beat Tariffs

Bitdeer, a major player in the Bitcoin mining space, is reportedly exploring the option of manufacturing mining rigs in the United States. This move comes amid rising tensions around tariffs on Chinese-made hardware, which could disrupt the supply chain for much of the mining industry. As regulators in the U.S. consider stricter import policies, companies like Bitdeer are reassessing their production strategies to stay competitive and avoid unexpected costs. “Made in China” may no longer be the default for Bitcoin mining infrastructure.

Shifting rig production to the U.S. would mark a significant strategic pivot, especially for a company like Bitdeer that has traditionally relied on the Chinese manufacturing ecosystem. While the company hasn’t made an official commitment yet, internal discussions suggest a proactive stance as the geopolitical climate continues to shift. Tariffs aren’t just a government policy anymore—they’re a market signal, and Bitdeer seems to be listening. The potential move could also strengthen Bitdeer's standing with U.S. regulators, investors, and mining partners.

For the broader mining industry, this development could be a bellwether of a new era—one where decentralization doesn’t just apply to networks, but to hardware production too. As demand for mining gear stays strong and trade barriers rise, localized production may become not just advantageous, but necessary. Bitdeer’s next steps could define how adaptable and resilient mining companies will be in the face of global economic turbulence.

🇸🇻 El Salvador’s BTC Economy

El Salvador's bold embrace of Bitcoin continues to grab headlines, but a closer look reveals a gap between ambition and execution. According to a recent report, while 109 Bitcoin-related firms are officially registered in the country, only 11 are currently operational. The discrepancy highlights a challenge often overlooked in crypto adoption narratives: regulatory green lights don’t guarantee real-world activity. Many of these firms exist on paper, but haven’t yet translated into functioning businesses contributing to the economy.

Several factors may explain the disparity. Navigating local bureaucracy, access to capital, and technical infrastructure can all slow down progress, even for companies motivated by El Salvador’s pro-Bitcoin policies. The initial wave of registrations may have been driven more by optimism and regulatory incentives than concrete business plans. Bitcoin might be legal tender in El Salvador, but building a viable business still takes more than just policy support. The data suggests a wait-and-see approach by many firms, perhaps watching how the early adopters fare before committing fully.

Still, the country's leadership remains committed to its Bitcoin-first strategy, signaling continued support for digital asset ventures. For the crypto industry, El Salvador remains a symbolic ground zero—a real-world experiment in national-level adoption. But symbolism alone can’t build a market. Until more of these registered firms go live and contribute to local innovation and employment, the “Bitcoin nation” will remain more aspiration than reality.

📻 You Can Send Bitcoin via Radio Waves or SMS

Bitcoin doesn’t need the internet. Developers have sent BTC over shortwave radio, mesh networks, and even SMS—a powerful feature for use in censorship-heavy regimes or places with weak internet infrastructure.