Arkansas Senate Rejects Bill to Ban Crypto Mining Near Military Bases

In a 6-1 vote on Thursday, the Arkansas Senate turned down Senate Bill 60, which aimed to prohibit cryptocurrency mining facilities from operating within a 30-mile radius of military installations in the state.

The legislation, put forth by Senator Ricky Hill and Representative Brian S. Evans, highlighted the potential economic benefits and risks associated with digital asset mining, more commonly referred to as crypto mining.

Among the concerns raised in the bill were threats to national security and the safety of Arkansas posed by crypto mining activities near military bases in the state.

Despite the argument that such measures were crucial to safeguard the well-being of the state and its residents, Senate Bill 60 did not garner enough support to pass. As a result, crypto mining operations in Arkansas remain unaffected by the proposed restrictions.

This decision contrasts with the state's previous "Right to Mine" law enacted in April 2023, which aimed to ease regulations on commercial crypto mining activities, drawing criticism for its potential environmental and energy consumption impacts.

On a broader scale, the landscape for crypto regulation continues to evolve, with North Dakota lawmakers introducing new measures to uphold the rights of cryptocurrency users and miners. Representative Nathan Toman's proposed bill aims to protect fundamental Bitcoin-related rights, such as the right to mine, self-custody, peer-to-peer transactions, and running a node.

The growing interest in cryptocurrencies has attracted attention at the national level, with President Donald Trump expressing strong support for the domestic Bitcoin mining sector. The administration's pro-crypto stance aligns with efforts to promote and expand the industry within the United States.