Small mining company forced to leave Quebec, citing Bitmain lobbying

In a June 28 tweet, D-Central founder Jonathan Bertrand said smaller mining players are being hit due to conflicting interests and agendas at the government level, as well as “intensive lobbying efforts” by Bitmain, the world’s largest mining company.

"I am a Quebecer and I want to grow and participate in the local economy, but it is becoming increasingly difficult and in my opinion the only rational option is to look elsewhere," he wrote.

Quebec’s low-cost hydroelectricity has created favorable conditions for large-scale Bitcoin mining operations. The province was conflicted over the issue until 2018. Now, news that Quebec may provide power to miners under its own internal regulations has alarmed local operators, such as Jonathan Bertrand.

He added: “If we don’t have development by the end of July, I may have no choice but to close [D-Central] myself and open somewhere else.”

Meanwhile, disputes between politicians continue, with the mayor of a town that is open to bitcoin miners saying this week that the government had its own fault by making bitcoin an election issue.