ExoticRidge Bulls Gap bitcoin mine
An 8 MW bitcoin mine at the center of a federal civil rights suit over Hawkins County's ban on data centers and crypto mines.
Who is behind it
The record, newest first
Commissioners passed a further ban resolution with 12 yes votes and two absent. (WATE (WJHL), July 28, 2026)
The Beacon Center of Tennessee sued for ExoticRidge in the Eastern District of Tennessee, alleging the ban is unconstitutional and arbitrary. No ruling was found. (Data Center Dynamics, undated; WUOT (via WPLN News), April 13, 2026)
A proposed settlement letting the company build died before the commission for lack of a second. The company had said it received state construction permits for its generators in January. (WJHL, Feb. 24, 2026; WJHL, Feb. 21, 2026)
Hawkins County's commission passed a resolution banning data centers and crypto mines, 10-2 per WJHL. (Data Center Dynamics, undated; WUOT (via WPLN News), April 13, 2026; WJHL, May 19, 2026)
Conflicts and open questions
- The complaint itself was not opened; claims come from reporting and are the company's allegations.
- Filing date conflict: DCD says March 31, while WJHL's May 19 story says the suit was filed the month before.
- Coordinates are approximate, from the town.
The full record
- Status note
- Blocked by Hawkins County's ban, which the company is challenging in federal court. WJHL said in February 2026 that construction had not started.
- Power note
- Under 50 MW. A bitcoin mine; the company says it would generate its own power from adjacent ethane.
- Evidence
- News reports; primary records not yet obtained
- Size class
- Under 50 MW (outside main scope; kept for completeness)