The city of Fort Worth in Texas is now mining bitcoin 24/7 at the climate-controlled Information Technology Solutions Department Data Center located at Fort Worth City Hall. The news was announced by the city government and Mayor Mattie Parker.
The Fort Worth government representatives explained that the miners will be hosted privately in order to curb security vulnerabilities. The project was approved in a vote by the city council on Tuesday as part of a larger docket of crypto-friendly initiatives.
Fort Worth said the Bitmain-brand S9 bitcoin mining machines were donated by the nonprofit association, the Texas Blockchain Council. Three ASIC rigs were donated by the Texas Blockchain Council and if the city “achieves the goals of responsibly assessing and executing a municipal bitcoin mining program,” it plans to “evaluate the program” afterward.
Launching the @CityofFortWorth #Bitcoin mining pilot program w/ @TexasBlockchain1 and becoming the first city government in the United States to mine #Bitcoin #ItBeginsInFW https://t.co/W7yE9nWnFr
— Mayor Mattie Parker (@MayorMattie) April 26, 2022
“With blockchain technology and cryptocurrency revolutionizing the financial landscape, we want to transform Fort Worth into a tech-friendly city” Parker explained in a statement sent to Bitcoin.com News. “Today, with the support and partnership of Texas Blockchain Council, we’re stepping into that world on a small scale while sending a big message Fort Worth is where the future begins.”
When China banned the crypto sector last year, the U.S., primarily Texas became a hub of sorts for miners due to its cheap power and mining-friendly local legislations. Fort Worth’s move is likely to further help the bitcoin-friendly jurisdiction narrative of the state, which comes at a time when both global and other state-level policymakers are pushing for more regulations for the miners.
