U.S. May Nationalize Bitcoin Miners Following Intel Stake Acquisition
August 25, 2025 — by Lockridge Okoth, edited by Bùi Linh
In a significant development stirring conversations across the cryptocurrency and technology sectors, the United States government has acquired a 10% stake in Intel Corporation, prompting speculation that Bitcoin mining companies could be the next targets for nationalization under national security pretenses.
U.S. Government’s Stake in Intel Sparks Speculation
On August 22, 2025, the U.S. government announced it had become a minority shareholder in Intel, one of the country’s cornerstone technology companies. Howard Lutnick, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, shared this historic move on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing that the investment aims to bolster U.S. leadership in semiconductor technology and enhance the nation’s economic and technological standing.
"This historic agreement strengthens U.S. leadership in semiconductors, which will both grow our economy and help secure America’s technological edge," Lutnick stated.
The investment reportedly involves approximately $8.9 billion in common stock, with Intel’s shares surging 5% on the news, closing at $24.80. Former President Donald Trump hailed the deal as the best ever for the country, noting on Truth Social that the U.S. received shares valued at around $11 billion without direct payment, calling it a "great deal" for both the United States and Intel.
Max Keiser Warns of Potential Nationalization of Bitcoin Miners
The revelation has prompted Max Keiser, a prominent Bitcoin advocate and influential figure in the crypto space, to warn that the U.S. government’s acquisition of Intel shares could be a harbinger of broader moves to nationalize cryptocurrency mining companies.
In communications with BeInCrypto and cited by US Crypto News, Keiser suggested that while the current stake in Intel is minor, the government might escalate its ownership to a controlling interest using national security justifications. More alarmingly, he opined that similar strategies could soon apply to major publicly traded Bitcoin miners and crypto firms such as Coinbase, Riot Platforms, Marathon Digital Holdings, and MicroStrategy.
“Soon, when they realize they made a mistake by not buying enough Bitcoin, they will nationalize $COIN, $RIOT, $MARA & $MSTR citing ‘national security,’” Keiser remarked.
He also questioned the use of funds allocated for the Intel investment, proposing that such resources might have been better centered on Bitcoin acquisitions, highlighting a historic underestimation by authorities of Bitcoin’s strategic value.
Official Statements and Strategic Bitcoin Reserves
While speculation mounts about government intentions toward crypto firms, the U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently clarified that the government does not plan to acquire Bitcoin outright for a strategic reserve. Instead, any holdings would stem from assets forfeited through legal channels, amounting potentially to a Bitcoin reserve valued between $15 billion to $20 billion.
“We have also begun, to step into the 21st century, a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. We will not buy it, but we will use forfeited assets to build it up,” Bessent said.
Crypto Market Impact and Broader Context
The potential nationalization news arrives amid a complex landscape for cryptocurrencies in the United States. The government’s stake in Intel points to increasing involvement in strategic technology sectors, invoking national security rationales. Investors and observers are now eyeing how this approach may extend to crypto mining operations, which are critical to Bitcoin’s decentralized network but also pose regulatory and security considerations.
Stocks of notable crypto-related companies saw declines following the announcement: MicroStrategy dropped 4.22%, Coinbase fell by 2.8%, Riot Platforms fell 4.08%, and Marathon declined 4.54%.
Key Takeaways:
- The U.S. government owns 10% of Intel after investing $8.9 billion in common stock.
- This move may signal a trend toward nationalizing crucial technology firms under national security grounds.
- Bitcoin advocate Max Keiser predicts that public crypto mining companies could be next for government control.
- The U.S. has committed to building a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve using forfeited assets, not direct purchases.
- Crypto market reacts with cautious sell-offs in key industry stocks.
As the interplay between national security priorities and cryptocurrency evolves, stakeholders worldwide will be watching closely how government policies shape the future of Bitcoin mining and broader digital asset adoption in the United States.
For ongoing updates on cryptocurrency news and analysis, stay tuned to BeInCrypto and our daily U.S. Crypto News briefings.