Finance

Bitcoin Miners and Frozen Turkeys: How a Midwest Heist Reveals Crypto’s Growing Pains

Indiana police recovered $700,000 in stolen Bitcoin miners, also preventing a turkey heist.

byAndres Castro

October 28, 2025, 4:28 PM

Top-down view of a golden bitcoin on a computer circuit board, likely representing a cryptocurrency mining farm.

As the value of digital currency fluctuates, a golden Bitcoin rests on a computer board in a mining farm. By MDL.

Executive Summary

Police in Grant County, Indiana, recovered approximately 1,000 stolen Bitcoin mining machines valued at $700,000 and, in the same investigation, thwarted the theft of $75,000 worth of frozen turkeys.

The stolen mining rigs belonged to Your Choice Best Ever, a crypto mining firm, and were tracked to the Chicago area, with authorities noting the involvement of “international criminal participants” in the ongoing investigation.

The incident underscores the continued expansion of Bitcoin mining operations into the U.S. Midwest, a trend largely driven by China’s 2021 ban on cryptocurrency mining, making the U.S. a significant global hub.

The Story So Far

The theft of Bitcoin mining machines in Indiana highlights the U.S. Midwest’s emergence as a new hub for cryptocurrency mining, a trend largely driven by China’s 2021 ban on such operations which prompted a global relocation of facilities to regions offering cheap, stable, and often renewable power sources, with the U.S. now accounting for a significant portion of global mining.

Why This Matters

The recovery of 1,000 stolen Bitcoin mining machines, valued at $700,000, highlights the evolving and complex security challenges faced by the rapidly expanding cryptocurrency mining industry, particularly as operations decentralize into new hubs like the U.S. Midwest. This incident underscores the significant value of assets involved and the potential for sophisticated, even international, criminal activity, necessitating enhanced security protocols as the industry continues to grow and impact local economies.

Who Thinks What?

Law enforcement authorities recognize the evolving challenges associated with the expanding cryptocurrency mining industry, including the theft of valuable equipment and the involvement of international criminal participants.

Proponents of the cryptocurrency mining industry, such as Kadan Stadelmann, view regions like the U.S. Midwest as attractive for operations due to the availability of cheap, stable, and often renewable power sources, highlighting benefits like job creation, investment, and tax revenue, while also emphasizing the need for transparency.

Local communities express concerns about the rapid growth of mining operations, citing issues such as high energy consumption and noise pollution.

Police in Grant County, Indiana, have successfully recovered approximately 1,000 Bitcoin mining machines, valued at around $700,000, that were stolen earlier this month from a semi-trailer. In an unexpected turn during the same investigation, authorities also thwarted the theft of $75,000 worth of frozen turkeys. The recovery operation, which involved tracking the stolen cargo to the Chicago area, highlights the evolving challenges and unique incidents associated with the expanding cryptocurrency mining industry in the U.S. Midwest.

Details of the Recovery

The stolen mining rigs belonged to Your Choice Best Ever, a crypto mining firm with operations in Indiana, which reported the theft on October 2. Grant County Sheriff’s Office detectives coordinated with Chicago authorities to recover the equipment last week. The investigation remains ongoing, with officials noting the involvement of “international criminal participants,” though no arrests have been made at this time.

The unusual combination of stolen Bitcoin miners and frozen turkeys garnered significant attention and humor on social media, with comments referencing the bizarre pairing.

Cryptocurrency Mining’s Expansion in the Midwest

The incident underscores the continued expansion of Bitcoin mining operations into regions like the U.S. Midwest. This trend largely follows China’s 2021 ban on cryptocurrency mining, which led to a global dispersion of mining facilities. China, which once accounted for over three-quarters of global Bitcoin mining, saw its dominance shift to new hubs, including the United States.

According to a recent article in Nature, the U.S. now accounts for 38% of global Bitcoin mining. Kadan Stadelmann, chief technology officer at Komodo Platform, noted that current mining hotspots include Texas, parts of the U.S. Midwest, the Nordic region, and Latin America, primarily due to the availability of cheap, stable, and often renewable power sources.

Industry Context and Community Impact

Your Choice Best Ever, the company affected by the theft, previously operated blockchain mining facilities in China before the ban, aligning with the broader trend of Chinese miners relocating abroad. The company’s website indicates current mining sites in Indiana and Mississippi.

The rapid growth of mining operations has sparked debate in local communities regarding high energy consumption and noise pollution. Conversely, proponents highlight the benefits of job creation, investment, and tax revenue. Stadelmann emphasized the need for transparency and innovation within the industry to address concerns and demonstrate tangible local benefits, rather than operating in isolation.