A group of nearly 200 stray cats has unexpectedly brought a major Bitcoin mining operation in Inner Mongolia to a halt, causing damages estimated in the millions of dollars. The unusual incident unfolded when the cats, seeking warmth during the early October chill, made their way into the private mining facility and curled up on the GPUs (graphics processing units), blocking ventilation and disrupting the farm’s cooling systems.
According to Roar Wildlife News, the cats were discovered comfortably settled inside the mining hall, resting among the high-performance machines. Workers explained that the animals started appearing around the facility as temperatures dropped, attracted by the constant heat emitted by the mining rigs. Within weeks, the number of cats multiplied, turning the crypto farm into an impromptu feline shelter.
Each time the cats slept on the equipment, the GPU performance dropped sharply, leading to reduced hash rates and slower Bitcoin block generation. As the problem worsened, the heat buildup caused several units to fail, forcing a complete shutdown of the cooling systems. The farm’s owner, however, refused to evict the animals. Known among colleagues as a lifelong animal lover, he instead decided to build a separate heated shelter next to the mining hall, equipped with insulated walls and warm bedding to keep the cats comfortable and away from the machines.
One technician from the facility shared with local media: “It’s adorable but costly. These ‘furry beds’ literally cost us millions. Thankfully, the boss loves cats — he bought over 200 electric heating mats and told us to make them a proper room.”
The story quickly went viral across crypto and tech communities, with enthusiasts joking that the cats had launched the “cutest 51% attack in history.” Social media users on X (formerly Twitter) noted the irony that cats — the icons of internet culture — were behind a real-world crypto disruption. Many found humor in the fact that even “digital gold” can’t resist the pull of nature’s warmth.”
The incident comes amid China’s ongoing crackdown on cryptocurrency mining, as authorities continue to enforce bans on large-scale operations due to environmental and financial concerns. Despite restrictions, Inner Mongolia remains one of the regions with leftover small-scale mining setups that operate under low visibility.
According to Coinwarz, the current Bitcoin mining difficulty stands at 155.97 trillion hashes per second (155.97T). Each rig consumes between 1.5 and 3.3 kilowatts of power, generating temperatures between 54°C and 82°C — the perfect heat source for dozens of stray cats enduring Inner Mongolia’s harsh climate, where temperatures often drop near freezing.
In conclusion, this heartwarming yet costly story highlights an unusual clash between technology and nature. While the miners count their financial losses, many online users see the event as a reminder that even in the digital age, living beings will always find comfort in warmth over code. The cats, it seems, have not only taken over a Bitcoin farm but also won the hearts of the internet once again.
