Bitcoin Meets the Natural State: Herget, Landers and Curtis Launch Southern Block Capital
Three veteran Arkansas entrepreneurs are betting big on Bitcoin and aiming to bring the power of digital currency mining home to the Natural State.
Southern Block Capital, a newly launched investment fund led by Ryan Herget, Steve Landers Jr. and Dustin Curtis, is raising capital to build and expand Bitcoin mining operations across Arkansas.
Backed by firsthand experience and favorable local conditions, the team sees an opportunity to turn Arkansas into a quiet powerhouse in the global digital asset economy.
“We’ve been mining Bitcoin personally for a couple of years now,” said Herget. “Over the past year, we launched operational sites in Pleasant Plains and Cabot. These aren’t theoretical models — we’re already producing real returns.”
Bitcoin mining is the process that secures the Bitcoin network and unlocks newly minted Bitcoin, requiring massive computing power and, most importantly, cheap electricity. Herget and his partners believe Arkansas offers one of the most attractive power environments in the country.
“We’re mining Bitcoin today at roughly a third of the price it’s currently trading for,” said Landers. “That margin is what makes the opportunity so compelling. Our sites and machines use no water and only draw excess power that would otherwise go unused. It’s a more efficient and sustainable approach to mining.”
Their ability to act fast has also opened doors.
“Utilities like Entergy know we move quickly and get things done,” said Curtis. “They also know that we’re Arkansans who truly care about this state. That’s allowed us to secure deals others can’t.”
Unlike many Bitcoin operations that drop into rural areas with little notice, the Southern Block team prides itself on transparency and community engagement.
“All of our sites are engineered to stay under 60 decibels — equivalent to a normal conversation,” Herget said. “You won’t hear us outside the property line.”
The team also takes a proactive approach when entering a new area.
“We reach out to local leaders before we break ground, not after,” Landers said. “We want to explain exactly what we’re doing, answer questions, and build trust from day one. We’re not just showing up, we’re looking to become part of the community. We know there’s been negative publicity around Bitcoin mining in some areas, but our facilities are quiet, responsible, and community-first. We’re doing this the right way, for Arkansas and for the long term.”
With Southern Block Capital, the founders are opening the door for accredited investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin through the infrastructure that produces it.
“Most people think about buying Bitcoin on an app or exchange,” Curtis said. “Mining is a way to acquire Bitcoin more cheaply, because you’re getting paid to process transactions on the network. Instead of buying at market price, you’re earning it at a discount — direct from the source. If the price of Bitcoin drops 50 percent, our operations are still profitable. You wouldn’t be able to say that if you just bought Bitcoin.”
Herget said the fund is designed to scale what the team has already built, replicating a proven model at new sites across the state.
“There’s a rare window right now where the economics are excellent and the infrastructure is available,” he said. “Our primary mission in launching this fund is to give more Arkansans the opportunity to gain exposure to Bitcoin through something tangible. The more people who understand how this works, the stronger the ecosystem becomes, for us, for our partners, and for the state. That kind of shared knowledge benefits everyone.”
What Is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is the world’s first and most well-known cryptocurrency, a decentralized digital currency that allows peer-to-peer transactions without the need for a central bank or intermediary. With a market capitalization above $2 trillion, Bitcoin is currently the sixth largest asset in the world, sitting ahead of silver and global giants Alphabet (Google), and Meta (Facebook).
While many associate Bitcoin with trading or speculative investment, its real-world use cases are growing rapidly:
- Digital store of value: Often referred to as “digital gold,” Bitcoin is increasingly used to hedge against inflation and currency devaluation, especially in countries with unstable monetary systems.
- Remittances and global transfers: Bitcoin enables fast, low-cost international money transfers, providing a lifeline to the unbanked or underbanked in developing regions.
- Financial sovereignty: With Bitcoin, individuals can hold and control their own wealth without needing a traditional bank account.
- Decentralized infrastructure: Bitcoin’s open, decentralized network allows for transparent and tamper-proof transaction records, enhancing security and trust.
As the technology matures, forward-looking infrastructure — like Southern Block Capital’s mining operations — play a vital role in securing the network and expanding access to this transformative asset, Herget said.
With expansion plans already underway, the founders are confident Arkansas has the resources and the momentum to become a leader in responsible Bitcoin mining.
“Arkansas has cheap power, a business-friendly climate, and supportive leaders,” Landers said. “What we’re doing is positioning this state to lead in one of the fastest-evolving industries in the world.”
Southern Block Capital officially launched its first fund June 13 and has already received commitments from some of the most prominent names in the state, Herget added.
“The goal of our first fund is to give accredited investors exposure to an industry that, chances are, they don’t know much about,” he said. “And if we can deliver the kind of returns we’re aiming for, it sets the stage for us to put together additional funds in the future.”
Photo Credit: iStock/BlackJack3D
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