Crypto Shenanigans: Bitmain, FBI Triumphs, and NFT Vending Machine Madness! 😄

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Welcome, dear reader, to the delightful literary confection that is the Asia Pacific Morning Brief—your indispensable guide to the nocturnal doings in the crypto realm, which are shaping regional markets and giving global sentiment a good tickle. So, pour yourself some green tea (or whatever else propels you into the day) and settle in.

In a delightful twist that could only be penned by fate, China’s mining behemoth, Bitmain, is intent on expanding its operations like a scholar on a quest for knowledge—this time with a manufacturing doozy in the good ol’ U.S. of A. Meanwhile, our friends in Vietnam are twinkling their toes into crypto regulations thanks to a promising tĂȘte-Ă -tĂȘte with Upbit, while the FBI is playing the role of digital Robin Hood by taking down some rather nefarious ransomware villains. Not to mention, Japan has taken a leap of faith into the digital future with those fancy NFT vending machines, marking milestones in blockchain adoption that would make even the most stoic of accountants crack a smile.

Bitmain Expands US Operations with First ASIC Manufacturing Plant

Our illustrious Chinese Bitcoin mining titan, Bitmain, is setting its sights on establishing its inaugural US manufacturing facility by the dazzling dawn of 2026, as revealed by our trusty magicians at Bloomberg. This masterstroke, planned to unfurl in either the sun-kissed expanses of Texas or the enchanting landscapes of Florida by the third quarter of 2025, aims to hasten delivery and repairs for American clients faster than a dog in pursuit of a squirrel. Irene Gao, Bitmain’s global business chief, assures us it’s all in the name of speedy service.

With a commanding grip on 82% of global Bitcoin ASIC production—while its competitors MicroBT and Canaan hold a meager 15% and 2% respectively, they must be feeling like two you-know-whats at a family reunion—the company plans to promptly recruit 250 local lads and lasses to run the show. This move is as delicious as a freshly baked scone, following rather favorable crypto conditions set during the Trump years.

And just in case you missed it, this expansion comes hot on the heels of US authorities snatching up thousands of Bitmain ASICs in November 2024, giving it a good enough excuse to keep things local and avoid another round of regulatory tugs-of-war. Full-scale manufacturing is expected to be in full swing by the end of 2026, much to the delight of Bitcoin aficionados everywhere.

FBI Strikes Chaos Ransomware Group

In a twist right out of a gripping crime novel, the FBI has swooped in like Sherlock Holmes on a caffeine high, seizing a veritable treasure trove worth $2.4 million in Bitcoin from the cybercriminal mastermind—who goes by the charming moniker “Hors”—of the Chaos ransomware gang. This audacious raid, conducted out of Dallas, saw the confiscation of a jubilant 20.28 BTC, marking a formidable jab against international cyber mischief. Chaos, having burst onto the scene in February 2025 with all the subtlety of an elephant in a china shop, has since become a significant nuisance, being linked to the notorious BlackSuit gang.

Today, FBI Dallas made public the seizure of over $1.7 million worth of cryptocurrency as part of ongoing efforts to combat ransomware. The seized funds were traced to a cryptocurrency address allegedly associated with a member of the Chaos ransomware group, known as “Hors,” who


— FBI Dallas (@FBIDallas) July 28, 2025

This cheeky band of scallywags is known for their double extortion exploits across multiple nations, including the U.S. and the U.K., targeting unsuspecting victims with all the advanced tech finesse of a well-trained cat burglar. Their renowned ransomware-as-a-service model is certainly not for the faint of heart, targeting everything from Windows to Linux, with encryption as tight as the proverbial drum. This successful sting just goes to show that law enforcement is making strides faster than a rabbit down a rabbit hole when it comes to tracking cryptocurrency escapades.

Dunamu Meets Vietnam PM Over Crypto Market Expansion

The South Korean crypto exchange, Upbit, must have felt like a superstar walking the red carpet as its parent company, Dunamu, met with the dashing Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in the bustling capital of Hanoi. According to the buzz from Vietnamese state media, Vice Chairman Kim Hyung-nyeon had quite a chat about forming strategic partnerships for the almighty development of Vietnam’s digital asset ecosystem and regulatory framework—now that’s a mouthful!

In a bouquet of promises, Dunamu pledged its devotion to comprehensive cooperation, involving technology transfers, infrastructure enhancements, and talent grooming, based on their adventures in global regulatory forests. Prime Minister Chinh, looking dapper as ever, instructed the Finance Ministry to lead pilot operations with unparalleled vigor while also nudging the central bank for support. With plans for institutionalization that includes regulatory sandboxes and tax systems, Vietnam is on a mission for balanced industry growth, ensuring not even the faintest whiff of chaos will enter the fray.

Not to be forgotten, Upbit struts its stuff as the fourth-largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world by trading volume, as per the wise sages over at CoinMarketCap.

Japan Launches World’s First NFT Vending Machines

In a plot twist that no one saw coming, those quirky folk over in Japan have teamed up with 24karat and Dapper Labs to roll out the world’s very first NFT vending machines—because why not? Through AIICO vending contraptions, they’ll be selling sports NFTs across the land, bringing digital collectibles, including the illustrious NBA Top Shot, straight to your local watering hole. Customers can tap-tap away on touchscreens and scan QR codes for wallet-free purchases, all without needing a PHD in blockchain technology.

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2025-07-30 10:20