The attempt to transition from coal mining to cryptocurrency in Eastern Kentucky has shown the challenges and risks involved in bitcoin mining.
Many facility owners in rural America have found themselves in legal disputes with Chinese companies over failed mining partnerships. These disputes highlight the difficulties faced by facility owners in recovering damages, especially when dealing with non-U.S. counterparties.
The fallout from these failed ventures has had devastating effects on individuals and communities, with many facing financial ruin and loss of homes. The region's hopes for a technological renaissance through bitcoin mining remain uncertain.