On August 26, bitcoin mining company Hut 8 unveiled its expansion plans with four new sites in the United States, adding a capacity of 1.5 gigawatts.

The announced expansion touches U.S. states with diverse regulatory approaches:

Texas: bitcoin mining facilities over 75 megawatts must register with the Texas Public Utility Commission; Louisiana: in June 2024, it approved favorable legislation for bitcoin miners in industrial areas, aiming to stimulate the local economy by attracting new businesses in the sector; Illinois: despite the absence of specific regulations for mining, the state has seen several dedicated facilities emerge in locations such as Bloomington-Normal and Effingham. Two sites in Texas connected to the ERCOT grid will contribute 1,180 MW. Louisiana’s site, connected to MISO (Midcontinent Independent System Operator), will add 300 MW, while Illinois will see a 50 MW project linked to PJM (Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland Interconnection).