The Texas Blockchain Council (TBC) and Riots Platforms, a major Bitcoin mining company, recently achieved a significant legal victory in their ongoing battle against the United States Department of Energy (DOE), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the Energy Information Administration (EIA). This dispute centered on the government’s attempt to collect data from cryptocurrency miners through a mandatory survey, which the plaintiffs argued constituted an intrusive and possibly harmful practice.
Temporary Restraining Order Issued
Following a lawsuit filed on February 23, 2024, the TBC and Riot successfully secured a temporary restraining order (TRO) from a US District Judge in the Western District of Texas. This ruling serves as a temporary win for the plaintiffs as it prevents the EIA from two main actions.
- Requiring crypto miners to respond to the survey– This prevents miners from being forced to participate in the data collection process.
- Disclosing any data already obtained- This protects any information that miners may have already provided to the EIA under the survey’s initial implementation.
Arguments Presented by the Plaintiffs
The TBC and Riot presented several convincing arguments to the court and highlighted potential harms associated with mandatory data collection. The plaintiffs argued that complying with the survey could lead to irreparable harm, including:
- Unrecoverable costs- The process of gathering and submitting data could incur significant financial burdens for mining companies.
- Risk of prosecution- Non-compliance with the mandatory survey could expose miners to potential legal consequences.
- Disclosure of sensitive information– The survey requested proprietary information, which raised concerns about potential breaches of confidentiality.
The lawsuit challenged the EIA’s use of an emergency provision to justify the survey, arguing that this move represented an overreach of authority. Another argument raised was regarding inaccurate completion time. The EIA’s estimated completion time of 30 minutes was disputed by the plaintiffs, who claimed the actual time required to comply far exceeded that estimate.
Court’s Decision and Implications
Based on the evidence presented, the court found merit in the arguments of the TBC and Riot, concluding that the plaintiffs presented strong evidence to support their claims of potential harm.
According to the court, the EIA’s use of the emergency provision and its inaccurate completion time estimate raised concerns about the legitimacy of the data collection process.
The court’s decision emphasizes the seriousness of the plaintiffs’ concerns and provides temporary relief as the legal battle continues. While the TRO is set to expire before March 25, 2024, it establishes an important precedent by temporarily halting the data collection and protecting miners’ interests.
Final Thoughts
This legal victory may be small, but it marks a significant development in the ongoing tension between cryptocurrency miners and US energy officials. The case is ongoing, and the outcome will determine the future of data collection practices within the cryptocurrency mining industry. It is important to note that this is a temporary order, and the legal battle is far from over. The coming months will be critical in determining the ultimate outcome of this case and its likely impact on the future of cryptocurrency mining regulations in the United States.
Celine Brooks is a renowned journalist and author specializing in cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. She holds a Master’s degree in Economics from Harvard University and is very passionate about Crypto. Celine regularly hosts webinars and workshops, sharing her insights and forecasts about the evolving digital currency landscape. She is also an active contributor to several leading financial and tech publications, where she breaks down complex crypto trends into understandable insights for everyday investors.