Chinese American Business Owner's Challenge to Arkansas Foreign Mining Curbs Heard Again in Eighth Circuit
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit heard oral argument again on October 20 in a challenge to Arkansas laws restricting foreign-linked ownership of digital asset mining operations, as the state and its Oil and Gas Commission asked the court to lift an injunction blocking enforcement.
State attorneys argued the laws fall within state police power and land-use authority, align with federal national security policy, and should not have been held likely preempted by federal law. The dispute stems from Arkansas Act 636 of 2023 and Act 174 of 2024, which bar foreign-controlled entities tied to countries listed under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations from holding interests in mining operations in the state.
The challenger is Jones Eagle LLC, operated by Qimin "Jimmy" Chen, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in China, which contends federal law governing foreign affairs and foreign investment preempts the state measures.
U.S. District Judge Kristine G.
Baker issued a temporary restraining order in November 2024 and a preliminary injunction that December, expanding it in April 2025; the state appealed. The Eighth Circuit first heard argument on January 14-15 and held a second hearing on October 20; it has not yet ruled.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 阿肯色州议会大厦（图片：Wikimedia Commons，CC BY-SA 4.0，作者 Daniel Schwen）/ Arkansas State Capitol (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, by Daniel Schwen)
