2024年4月1日、当社はテキサス州ガーデンシティにある運用中のビットコインマイニングサイトを買収しました。 132 メガワットの運用容量と 200 APLD-Rattlesnake Den I, LLC(「ガーデンシティの買収」)のネームプレート容量はメガワットで、現金対価総額はドル96.82024年6月30日までの3か月間に支払われた運転資本調整を含めて、百万ドル。この買収は、会社の技術スタックの統合と相乗効果の実現を通じて、効率と事業規模の改善を目的としています。
•Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and
•Step 5: Recognize revenue when the Company satisfies a performance obligation.
In order to identify the performance obligations in a contract with a customer, an entity must assess the promised goods or services in the contract and identify each promised good or service that is distinct. A performance obligation meets ASC 606’s definition of a “distinct” good or service (or bundle of goods or services) if both of the following criteria are met:
•The customer can benefit from the good or service either on its own or together with other resources that are readily available to the customer (i.e., the good or service is capable of being distinct); and
•The entity’s promise to transfer the good or service to the customer is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract (i.e., the promise to transfer the good or service is distinct within the context of the contract).
If a good or service is not distinct, the good or service is combined with other promised goods or services until a bundle of goods or services is identified that is distinct.
The transaction price is the amount of consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring promised goods or services to a customer. The consideration promised in a contract with a customer may include fixed amounts, variable amounts, or both. When determining the transaction price, an entity must consider the effects of all of the following:
•Variable consideration
•Constraining estimates of variable consideration
•The existence of a significant financing component in the contract
•Noncash consideration
•Consideration payable to a customer
Variable consideration is included in the transaction price only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized under the accounting contract will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved.
The transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation on a relative standalone selling price basis.
The transaction price allocated to each performance obligation is recognized when that performance obligation is satisfied, at a point in time or over time, as appropriate.
Application of the Five-Step Model to the Company’s Mining and Hosting Operations
The Company’s ongoing major or central operation is to provide bitcoin transaction verification services to the transaction requestor, in addition to the Bitcoin network through a Company-operated mining pool as the operator (“Operator”) (such activity, “mining”) and to provide a service of performing hash calculations to third-party pool operators alongside collectives of third-party bitcoin miners (such collectives, “mining pools”) as a participant (“Participant”).
On January 12, 2024, the Company acquired two operational bitcoin mining sites for the purpose of improving efficiencies and the scale of the Company’s mining operations. The Company provides hosting services to institutional-scale crypto mining companies at these sites. The Company will not be taking on any new hosting services customers at these locations and will transition to self-mining at these two sites as existing customer agreements expire or are terminated early. Refer to Note 3 - Acquisitions, for further information.
The following table presents the Company’s revenues disaggregated for those arrangements in which the Company is the Operator and Participant:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Revenues from contracts with customers
Mining operator - transaction fees
$
2,836
$
2,378
$
16,743
$
9,787
Mining participant
13,876
2,677
40,157
23,404
Hosting services (1)
341
—
29,777
—
Total revenues from contracts with customers
17,053
5,055
86,677
33,191
Mining operator - block rewards and other revenue
114,594
92,794
355,307
197,549
Total revenues
$
131,647
$
97,849
$
441,984
$
230,740
(1)Includes revenue beginning January 12, 2024, the date of the GC Data Center Equity Holdings, LLC acquisition. The Company made a strategic decision to exit hosting services business upon acquisition. Intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Refer to Note 3 - Acquisitions, for further information.
Mining Operator
As Operator, the Company provides transaction verification services to the transaction requestor, in addition to the Bitcoin network. Transaction verification services are an output of the Company’s ordinary activities; therefore, the Company views the transaction requestor as a customer and recognizes the transaction fees as revenue from contracts with customers under ASC 606. The Bitcoin network is not an entity such that it may not meet the definition of a customer; however, the Company has concluded that it is appropriate to apply ASC 606 by analogy to block rewards earned from the Bitcoin network. The Company is currently entitled to the block reward of 3.125 bitcoin, subsequent to the halving that occurred on April 19, 2024. Prior to the halving, the Company was entitled to the block reward of 6.25 bitcoin from each successful validation of a block. The Company is also entitled to the transaction fees paid by the transaction requester payable in bitcoin for each successful validation of a block. The Company assessed the following factors in the determination of the inception and duration of each individual contract to validate a block and satisfaction of its performance obligation as follows:
•For each individual contract, the parties’ rights, the transaction price, and the payment terms are fixed and known as of the inception of each individual contract.
•The transaction requestor and the Bitcoin network each have a unilateral enforceable right to terminate their respective contracts at any time without penalty.
•For each of these respective contracts, contract inception and completion occur simultaneously upon block validation; that is, the contract begins upon, and the duration of the contract does not extend beyond, the validation of an individual blockchain transaction; and each respective contract contains a single performance obligation to perform a transaction validation service and this performance obligation is satisfied at the point-in-time when a block is successfully validated.
From September 2021 until May 2022, the Company engaged unrelated third-party mining enterprises (“pool participants”) to contribute hash calculations, and in exchange, remitted transaction fees and block rewards to pool participants on a pro rata basis according to each respective pool participant’s contributed hash calculations. The MaraPool wallet (owned by the Company as Operator) is recorded on the distributed ledger as the winner of proof of work block rewards and assignee of all validations and, therefore, the transaction verifier of record. The pool participants entered into contracts with the Company as Operator; they did not directly enter into contracts with the network or the requester and were not known verifiers of the transactions assigned to the pool. As Operator, the Company delegated mining work to the pool participants utilizing software that algorithmically assigned work to each individual miner. By virtue of its selection and operation of the software, the Company as Operator controlled delegation of work to the pool participants. This indicated that the Company directed the mining pool participants to contribute their hash calculations to solve in areas that the Company designated. Therefore, the Company determined that it controlled the service of providing transaction verification services to the network and requester. Accordingly, the Company recorded all of the transaction fees and block rewards earned from transactions assigned to MaraPool as revenue, and the portion of the transaction fees and block rewards remitted to MaraPool participants as cost of revenues.
In accordance with ASC 606-10-32-21, the Company measures the estimated fair value of the non-cash consideration (block reward and transaction fees) at contract inception, which is at the time the performance obligation to the requester and the network is fulfilled by successfully validating a block. The Company measures the non-cash consideration which is fixed as of the inception of each individual contract using the quoted spot rate for bitcoin determined using the Company’s primary trading platform for bitcoin at the time the Company successfully validates a block.
Expenses associated with providing bitcoin transaction verification services, such as hosting fees, electricity costs, and related fees are recorded as cost of revenues. Depreciation on digital asset mining equipment is also recorded as a component of cost of revenues.
Mining Participant
The Company participates in third-party operated mining pools. When the Company is a Participant in a third-party operated mining pool, the Company provides a service to perform hash calculations to the third-party pool operators. The Company considers the third-party mining pool operators to be its customers under Topic 606. Contract inception and the Company’s enforceable right to consideration begins when the Company commences providing hash calculation services to the mining pool operators. Each party to the contract has the unilateral right to terminate the contract at any time without any compensation to the other party for such termination. As such, the duration of a contract is less than a day and may be continuously renewed multiple times throughout the day. The implied renewal option is not a material right because there are no upfront or incremental fees in the initial contract and the terms, conditions, and compensation amount for the renewal options are at the then market rates.
The Company is entitled to non-cash compensation based on the pool operator’s payout model. The payout methodologies differ depending on the type of third-party operated mining pool. Full-Pay-Per-Share (“FPPS”) pools pay block rewards and transaction fees, less mining pool fees and Pay-Per-Share (“PPS”) pools pay block rewards less mining pool fees but no transaction fees. For FPPS and PPS pools, the Company is entitled to non-cash consideration even if a block is not successfully validated by the mining pool operators. Success-based mining pools pay a fractional share of the successfully mined block and transaction fees, reduced by pool operator expenses only if a block is successfully validated.
During 2023, the Company primarily participated in FPPS mining pools and, to a lesser extent, success-based mining pools. During 2022 and 2021, the Company primarily participated in success-based mining pools and, to a lesser extent, PPS mining pools.
FPPS Mining Pools
The Company primarily participates in mining pools that use the FPPS payout method for the year ended December 31, 2023. The Company is entitled to compensation once it begins to perform hash calculations for the pool operator in accordance with the operator’s specifications over a 24-hour period beginning midnight UTC and ending 23:59:59 UTC on a daily basis. The non-cash consideration that the Company is entitled to for providing hash calculations to the pool operator under the FPPS payout method is made up of block rewards and transaction fees less pool operator expenses determined as follows:
•The non-cash consideration in the form of a block reward is based on the total blocks expected to be generated on the Bitcoin network for the daily 24-hour period beginning midnight UTC and ending 23:59:59 UTC in accordance with the following formula: the daily hash calculations that the Company provided to the pool operator as a percent of the Bitcoin network’s implied hash calculations as determined by the network difficulty, multiplied by the total Bitcoin network block rewards expected to be generated for the same daily period.
•The non-cash consideration in the form of transaction fees paid by transaction requestors is based on the share of total actual fees paid over the daily 24-hour period beginning midnight UTC and ending 23:59:59 UTC in accordance with the following formula: total actual transaction fees generated on the Bitcoin network during the 24-hour period as a percent of total block rewards the Bitcoin network actually generated during the same 24-hour period, multiplied by the block rewards the Company earned for the same 24-hour period noted above.
•The block reward and transaction fees earned by the Company is reduced by mining pool fees charged by the operator for operating the pool based on a rate schedule per the mining pool contract. The mining pool fee is only incurred to the extent the Company performs hash calculations and generates revenue in accordance with the pool operator’s payout formula during the same 24-hour period beginning midnight UTC daily.
The above non-cash consideration is variable in accordance with paragraphs ASC 606-10-32-5 to 606-10-32-7, since the amount of block reward earned depends on the amount of hash calculations the Company performs; the amount of transaction fees the Company is entitled to depends on the actual Bitcoin network transaction fees over the same 24-hour period; and the operator fees for the same 24-hour period are variable since they are determined based on the total block rewards and transaction fees in accordance with the pool operator’s agreement. While the non-cash consideration is variable, the Company has the ability to estimate the variable consideration at contract inception with reasonable certainty without the risk of significant revenue reversal. The Company does not constrain this variable consideration because it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of revenue recognized from the contract will not occur when the uncertainty is subsequently resolved and recognizes the non-cash consideration on the same day that control is transferred, which is the same day as contract inception.
The Company measures the non-cash consideration based on the simple average daily spot rate of bitcoin determined using the Company’s primary trading platform for bitcoin over a 24-hour period beginning midnight UTC and ending 23:59:59 UTC on the day of contract inception. The Company recognizes non-cash consideration on the same day that control of the contracted service is transferred to the pool operator, which is the same day as the contract inception.
PPS Mining Pools
The Company participates in PPS pools that provide non-cash consideration similar to the FPPS pools except PPS pools do not include transaction fees, therefore, the non-cash consideration received by the Company is made up of block rewards less mining pool fees. While the non-cash consideration is variable, the Company has the ability to estimate the variable consideration at contract inception with reasonable certainty. The Company does not constrain this variable consideration because it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of revenue recognized from the contract will not occur when the uncertainty is subsequently resolved and recognizes the non-cash consideration on the same day that control is transferred, which is the same day as contract inception.
The Company measures the non-cash consideration based on the simple average daily spot rate of bitcoin determined using the Company’s primary trading platform for bitcoin over a 24-hour period beginning midnight UTC and ending 23:59:59 UTC on the day of contract inception. The Company recognizes non-cash consideration on the same day that control of the contracted service is transferred to the pool operator, which is the same day as the contract inception.
Success-based Mining Pools
The Company also participates, to a lesser extent, in third-party mining pools that pay rewards only when the pool successfully validates a block. For these pools, the Company only earns a reward when the third-party pool successfully mines a block and its reward is the fractional share of the successfully mined block and transaction fees, reduced by pool operator expenses, based on the proportion of hash calculations the Company performed for the mining pool operator to the total hash calculations performed by all mining pool participants in validating the block during the 24-hour period beginning at midnight UTC and ending 23:59:59 UTC daily.
Contract inception and the Company’s enforceable right to consideration begins when the Company commences the performance of hash calculations for the mining pool operator. The non-cash consideration is variable in accordance with paragraphs ASC 606-10-32-5 to 606-10-32-7 as it depends on whether the third-party mining pool successfully validates a block during each 24-hour period. In addition, other inputs such as the amount of hash calculations and the Company’s fractional share of consideration earned by the pool operator also cause variability. The Company does not have the ability to estimate whether a block will be successfully validated with reasonable certainty at contract inception. The Company constrains the variable consideration at contract inception because it is not probable that a significant reversal in the amount of revenue recognized from the contract will not occur when the uncertainty is subsequently resolved. Once a block is successfully validated, the constraint is lifted. The Company recognizes the non-cash consideration on the same day that control is transferred, which is the same day as contract inception.
The Company’s policy was to measure non-cash consideration based on the spot rate of bitcoin at the time the pool successfully validates a block, which was not in accordance with ASC 606-10-32-21 which requires measurement to coincide with contract inception. Additionally, this measurement was not consistent with the measurement of non-cash consideration for FPPS and PPS pools. During the three months ended December 31, 2023, the Company corrected this error and changed its measurement of non-cash consideration to the simple average daily spot rate of bitcoin determined using the Company’s primary trading platform for bitcoin on the date of contract inception, which is the same day that control of the contracted service (hash calculations) is transferred to the pool operator. The change in measurement did not have a material impact to the results of operations for any of the periods presented.
Expenses associated with providing hash calculation services to third-party operated mining pools, such as hosting fees, electricity costs, and related fees, are recorded as cost of revenues. Depreciation on digital asset mining equipment is also recorded as a component of cost of revenues.
Hosting Services
The Company operates two bitcoin mining sites, which were acquired on January 12, 2024, that provide hosting services to institutional-scale crypto mining companies. Hosting services include colocation and managed services. Colocation services include providing mining companies with sheltered data center space, electrical power, cooling, and internet connectivity. Managed services generally include providing customers with technical support and maintenance services, in addition to colocation services. The Company will not be taking on any new hosting services customers and will transition to self-mining at these two sites as existing customer agreements expire or are terminated early.
Colocation services revenue is recognized over time as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of the Company’s performance. Managed services revenue is recognized at a point-in-time as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of the Company’s performance. The transaction price for colocation services is variable based on the consumption of energy and the managed services price is a fixed rate per miner basis. The Company recognizes hosting services revenue to the extent that a significant reversal of such revenue will not occur. Hosting services customers are generally invoiced in advance of the month in which the Company satisfies its performance obligation, and deferred revenue is recorded for any upfront payments received in advance of the Company’s performance. The monthly transaction price is generally variable based on the amount of megawatt hours (“MWh”) consumed by the customers equipment and when other monthly contracted services are performed. At the end of each month, the customer is billed for the actual amount owed for services performed. The Company recognizes revenue for hosting services under the right-to-invoice practical expedient in ASC 606-10-55-18, which allows for the recognition of revenue over time as the Company’s right-to-invoice for final payment corresponds directly with the value of services transferred to the customer to-date.
Expenses associated with providing hosting services are recorded as cost of revenues and depreciation on hosting equipment is recorded as a separate component of cost of revenues.
NOTE 5 – DIGITAL ASSETS
Effective January 1, 2023, the Company early adopted ASU 2023-08, which requires entities to measure crypto assets at fair value with changes recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations each reporting period. The Company’s digital assets were within the scope of ASU 2023-08 and a cumulative-effect adjustment of $11.5 million as of the beginning of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 was recorded for the difference between the carrying amount of the Company’s digital assets and fair value.
The following table presents the Company’s significant digital asset holdings as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively:
(in thousands, except for quantity)
Quantity
Cost Basis
Fair Value
Bitcoin
26,747
$
1,256,486
$
1,693,122
Kaspa
107,891,919
15,171
17,099
Total digital assets held as of September 30, 2024
$
1,271,657
$
1,710,221
(in thousands, except for quantity)
Quantity
Cost Basis
Fair Value
Bitcoin
15,126
$
515,315
$
639,660
Total digital assets held as of December 31, 2023
$
515,315
$
639,660
The Company earned 95 and 48 bitcoin that were pending distribution from the Company’s equity method investee, the ADGM Entity (as defined below), which are excluded from the Company’s holdings as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company purchased $100.0 million of bitcoin using cash on hand and an additional 4,144 bitcoin, or approximately $249.0 million, using the net proceeds from the issuance of the 2031 Notes (as defined below). Refer to Note 14 - Debt, for additional information.
The Company contracts with bitcoin mining equipment manufacturers to procure equipment necessary for the operation of its bitcoin mining operations. These agreements typically require a certain percentage of the value of the total order to be paid in advance at specific intervals, usually within several days of execution of a specific contract and periodically thereafter with final payments due prior to each shipment date. The Company accounts for these payments as “Advances to vendors” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, such advances totaled approximately $240.3 million and $95.6 million, respectively.
In addition, the Company contracts with other service providers for the hosting of its equipment and operational support in data centers where the Company’s equipment is deployed. These arrangements also typically require advance payments to be made to vendors in conjunction with the contractual obligations associated with these services. The Company classifies these payments as “Deposits” and “Long-term deposits” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, such deposits totaled approximately $82.7 million and $67.0 million, respectively.
NOTE 7 – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
The components of property and equipment as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are:
(in thousands, except useful life)
Useful life (Years)
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Land (1)
—
$
4,649
$
—
Land improvements
9
25,246
—
Building and improvements
25
50,866
—
Mining rigs
3
1,191,928
862,055
Containers
10 - 15
56,977
5,676
Equipment
4 - 15
65,622
—
Software and hardware
2
3,307
—
Asset retirement obligation
8
7,879
—
Construction in progress
—
145,311
—
Other
7
839
242
Total gross property, equipment
1,552,624
867,973
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization
(460,484)
(196,201)
Property and equipment, net
$
1,092,140
$
671,772
(1)Refer to Note 15 - Leases, for further information regarding the Company’s finance land lease.
The Company recorded an asset retirement obligation of $7.9 million for the Granbury data center land lease. The asset retirement obligation represents the estimated cost to return the site to its original state. The asset retirement obligation is being depreciated over the term of the lease which is approximately 8 years.
The Company’s accretion expense related to the asset retirement obligation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $0.2 million and $0.7 million, respectively.
The Company’s depreciation expense related to property and equipment for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $101.1 million and $53.5 million, respectively. The Company’s depreciation expense related to property and equipment for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $266.9 million and $108.6 million, respectively.
As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, investments totaled approximately $154.0 million and $106.3 million, respectively. The following summarizes the Company’s current investments.
Equity Method Investments
The ADGM Entity
On January 27, 2023, the Company and Zero Two (formerly known as FS Innovation, LLC) entered into a Shareholders’ Agreement to form an Abu Dhabi Global Markets company (the “ADGM Entity”) in which the Company has a 20% ownership interest, which is accounted for as an equity method investment. The ADGM Entity commenced mining operations in September 2023.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company received a non-monetary dividend in the amount of $4.4 million associated with approximately 1,950 mining rigs distributed by Zero Two. The Company recorded the mining rigs to property and equipment at fair value and, accordingly, recognized an impairment of $4.1 million that reduced the Company’s investment in the ADGM Entity for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
The Company’s share of net losses was $2.1 million and $0.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, and $0.6 million for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. As of September 30, 2024, the Company’s investment in the ADGM Entity was $66.9 million and is reflected in “Investments” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Other Investments
Other investments consist of strategic investments made from time to time in equity securities and SAFE investments.
Investments in Equity Securities
Auradine
As of September 30, 2024, the total carrying amount of the Company’s investment in Auradine, Inc. (“Auradine”) preferred stock was $50.7 million.
On September 26, 2024, the Company purchased additional shares of Auradine preferred stock with a purchase price of $0.8 million.
On January 10, 2024, the Company purchased additional shares of Auradine preferred stock with a purchase price of $8.0 million. The preferred stock purchased on January 10, 2024 was similar to the Company’s other investments in Auradine preferred stock and, as a result, the Company recorded $5.2 million to “Gain on investments” on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations to adjust the carrying amount of its investments to an observable price in accordance with the measurement alternative in ASC 321.
SAFE Investments
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company entered into two SAFE agreements, for a total carrying value of $1.4 million. During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company wrote-down a previous SAFE investment of $1.0 million. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had one SAFE investment with a carrying value of $1.0 million, with no impairments or other adjustments.
The components of goodwill as of September 30, 2024 are as follows:
As of September 30, 2024
GC Data Center Equity Holdings, LLC
$
30,852
Garden City Acquisition
14,510
Total goodwill
$
45,362
The Company acquired goodwill from the GC Data Center Equity Holdings, LLC acquisition on January 12, 2024 and the Garden City Acquisition on April 1, 2024, refer to Note 3 –Acquisitions, for further information.
There was no goodwill as of December 31, 2023.
Intangible assets
The following table presents the Company’s intangible assets as of September 30, 2024:
As of September 30, 2024
(in thousands)
Cost
Accumulated amortization
Net
Customer relationships
$
22,000
$
(22,000)
$
—
Intellectual property
2,633
(658)
1,975
Total intangible assets
$
24,633
$
(22,658)
$
1,975
In June 2024, the Company fully amortized customer relationships acquired in the GC Data Center Equity Holdings, LLC due to the Company’s strategic decision to exit hosting services business and termination of customer relationships during the period. Refer to Note 3 - Acquisitions, for further information.
There were no intangible assets as of December 31, 2023.
The following table presents the Company’s estimated future amortization of finite-lived intangible assets as of September 30, 2024:
Year
Amount
(in thousands)
2024 (remaining)
$
220
2025
878
2026
877
Thereafter
—
Total
$
1,975
NOTE 10 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
The Company measures certain financial and non-financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring or non-recurring basis. The Company uses a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, essentially an exit price, based on the highest and best use of the asset or liability.
Observable inputs such as quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2:
Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data
Level 3:
Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data, which require the use of the reporting entity’s own assumptions
The carrying amounts reported on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, other receivables, deposits, prepaid expenses and other current assets, property and equipment, advances to vendors, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and legal reserve payable approximate their estimated fair market value based on the short-term maturity of these instruments. Additionally, the carrying amounts reported on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for the Company’s term loan, operating lease liabilities and other long-term liabilities approximate fair value as the related interest rates approximate rates currently available to the Company.
Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to their fair value measurement. The Company measures the fair value of its marketable securities and investments by taking into consideration valuations obtained from third-party pricing sources. The pricing services utilize industry standard valuation models, including both income and market-based approaches, for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly, to estimate fair value. These inputs included reported trades of and broker-dealer quotes on the same or similar securities, issuer credit spreads, benchmark securities and other observable inputs.
Recurring measurement of fair value
The following tables present information about the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the Company’s estimated level within the fair value hierarchy for each of those assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively:
(in thousands)
Total carrying value at September 30, 2024
Quoted prices in active markets (Level 1)
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Money market funds
$
105,130
$
105,130
$
—
$
—
Digital assets
1,710,221
1,710,221
—
—
Liabilities:
Derivative instrument (1)
24,246
—
24,246
—
Contingent consideration liability (2)
3,485
—
—
3,485
(in thousands)
Total carrying value at December 31, 2023
Quoted prices in active markets (Level 1)
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Money market funds
$
141,147
$
141,147
$
—
$
—
U.S. Treasury Bills
60,541
60,541
—
—
Digital assets
639,660
639,660
—
—
(1) The fair value of the derivative instrument was estimated using a discounted cash flow approach that considers various assumptions including current market prices and electricity forward curves, which are considered Level 2 inputs. Increases (decreases) in market prices and electricity forward curves could result in significant increases (decreases) in the fair value of derivative instruments. Refer to Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Derivatives, for further information.
(2) Represents the estimated amount of acquisition-related consideration expected to be paid in the future as of September 30, 2024 for the GC Center Equity Holdings, LLC acquired on January 12, 2024. Increases (decreases) in the probability of achieving the milestones could result in significant increases (decreases) in the fair value of the contingent consideration. Refer to Note 3 - Acquisitions, for further information.
The Company includes the above money market funds and U.S. treasury bills in cash and cash equivalents on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company’s U.S. treasury bills have original remaining maturities of three months or less when purchased.
Effective January 1, 2023, the Company early adopted ASU 2023-08, measuring digital assets at fair value on a recurring basis. There were no transfers among Levels 1, 2 or 3 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
Fair value of financial instruments not recognized at fair value
The following tables present information about the Company’s financial instruments that are not recognized at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, is as follows:
(in thousands)
Total carrying value at September 30, 2024
Quoted prices in active markets (Level 1)
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Liabilities:
Notes payable
$
618,683
$
561,291
$
—
$
—
(in thousands)
Total carrying value at December 31, 2023
Quoted prices in active markets (Level 1)
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Liabilities:
Notes payable
$
325,654
$
269,725
$
—
$
—
There were no transfers among Levels 1, 2 or 3 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024. As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 there were no other assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis.
NOTE 11 – NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE
Net income (loss) per share is calculated in accordance with ASC 260 - Earnings Per Share. Basic income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded net income (loss) and as such, the Company calculated the impact of dilutive common stock equivalents in determining diluted earnings per share.
The following table presents the total potential securities that were not included in the computation of diluted income (loss) per share, as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Warrants
324,375
324,375
324,375
324,375
Restricted stock units
8,064,856
3,753,431
—
—
Performance-based restricted stock units (1)
5,614,236
—
—
—
Convertible notes
20,224,952
4,341,422
20,224,952
4,341,422
Series A Preferred Stock
—
249,066
—
331,145
Total dilutive shares
34,228,419
8,668,294
20,549,327
4,996,942
(1)Anti-dilutive performance-based restricted stock units are presented at 200% as the total potential vested shares. Refer to Note 13 - Stock-based Compensation, for further information.
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted income (loss) per share:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Basic earnings per share of common stock:
Net income (loss) per share of common stock - basic
$
(124,789)
$
(390)
$
12,725
$
107,226
Weighted average shares of common stock - basic
294,942,685
179,602,722
277,643,666
169,162,821
Net income (loss) per share of common stock - basic
$
(0.42)
$
—
$
0.05
$
0.63
Diluted earnings per share of common stock:
Net income (loss) per share of common stock - basic
$
(124,789)
$
(390)
$
12,725
$
107,226
Add: Notes interest expense, net of tax
—
938
—
3,416
Less: Gain from extinguishment of debt, net of tax
—
(62,910)
—
(62,910)
Net income (loss) per share of common stock - diluted
$
(124,789)
$
(62,362)
$
12,725
$
47,732
Weighted average shares of common stock - basic
294,942,685
179,602,722
277,643,666
169,162,821
Restricted stock units
—
—
4,426,110
209,813
Performance-based restricted stock units
—
—
581,258
—
Convertible notes
—
4,134,048
—
5,020,474
Weighted average shares of common stock - diluted
294,942,685
183,736,770
282,651,034
174,393,108
Net income (loss) per share of common stock - diluted
On July 27, 2023, the Company’s shareholders approved an amendment to the Company’s articles of incorporation that increased the amount of common stock authorized for issuance to 500,000,000 with a par value of $0.0001 per share.
Shelf Registration Statements on Form S-3 and At-the-Market Offering Agreements
In February 2024, the Company commenced a new at-the-market (“ATM”) offering program with H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC (“Wainwright”) acting as sales agent (the “2024 ATM”) pursuant to an ATM agreement, under which the Company may offer and sell shares of its common stock from time to time through Wainwright having an aggregate offering price of up to $1,500.0 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company sold 34,785,661 shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $665.7 million, net of offering expenses of $7.5 million and $17.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, pursuant to the 2024 ATM. As a result, the Company had $817.2 million aggregate offering price remaining under the 2024 ATM.
NOTE 13 – STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
2018 Equity Incentive Plan
On January 1, 2018, the Board adopted the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended, the “2018 Plan”), which was subsequently approved by the Company’s shareholders on March 7, 2018. The 2018 Plan provides for the issuance of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), preferred stock and other awards to employees, directors, consultants and other service providers.
In June 2024, the Company’s shareholders approved an amendment to the 2018 Plan that increased the number of shares authorized for issuance thereunder by 15,000,000 shares. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had an aggregate of 16,525,736 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under the 2018 Plan.
A summary of the Company’s stock-based compensation, by category, is as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Performance-based stock awards
$
6,437
$
—
$
11,606
$
—
Service-based stock awards
16,903
5,511
91,979
13,907
Total stock-based compensation
$
23,340
$
5,511
$
103,585
$
13,907
Restricted Stock Units
The Company grants service-based RSUs to employees, directors, and consultants. RSUs granted to employees generally vest over a four-year period from the date of grant; however, in certain instances, all or a portion of a grant may vest immediately. RSUs granted to directors generally vest over a one-year period. The Company measures the fair value of RSUs at the grant date and recognizes expenses on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period from the date of grant for each separately-vesting tranche under the graded-vesting attribution method.
A summary of the Company’s service-based RSU activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, is as follows:
Number of RSUs
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at December 31, 2023
5,765,529
$
9.40
Granted
6,990,136
18.02
Forfeited
(687,257)
14.18
Vested
(4,003,552)
15.29
Nonvested at September 30, 2024
8,064,856
$
13.54
As of September 30, 2024, there was approximately $67.2 million of aggregate unrecognized stock-based compensation related to unvested service-based RSUs that is expected to be recognized over the next 2.7 years.
Performance-based Restricted Stock Units
The Company granted performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”) on May 1, 2024 to employees which generally vest over a four-year period from the date of grant. Awards are issued in the form of RSUs and are granted pursuant to the 2018 Plan. The number of PSUs that are subject to vest is directly correlated with the Company’s achievements of a pre-determined metric relating to total stockholder return (“TSR”) for the period from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 (the “Performance Period”).
Based on the Company’s TSR performance relative to the peer group for the Performance Period, the PSU awards will vest between 0% to 200% of the target amount over an approximate four-year period. Determination regarding the Company’s performance relative to the TSR metric will establish the maximum number of shares that are subject to vesting pursuant to the PSU awards. Once determined, (i) 25% of the PSU awards will vest on January 31, 2025, and (ii) the balance of the awards will vest in 12 equal calendar quarters (with 6.25% of the shares vesting each quarter). The Company measures the fair value of the PSUs at the grant date using the Monte Carlo simulation model.
The Monte Carlo simulation model requires the input of subjective assumptions, including risk-free interest rate, expected term, expected stock price volatility, market capitalization of peer group, and dividend yield. The risk-free interest rate assumption is based upon observed interest rates for constant maturity U.S. Treasury securities as of the grant date. Expected term is consistent with the Performance Period of the awards. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock over the estimated expected life. The Company does not pay a dividend, therefore, the dividend yield is assumed to be zero.
A summary of the Company’s PSU activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, is as follows:
Number of PSUs
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at December 31, 2023
—
$
—
Granted
2,807,118
14.33
Nonvested at September 30, 2024
2,807,118
$
14.33
As of September 30, 2024, there was approximately $28.6 million of aggregate unrecognized stock-based compensation related to unvested PSUs that is expected to be recognized over the next 3.3 years.
Common Stock Warrants
As of September 30, 2024, the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock warrants had no change from December 31, 2023. The Company continues to have 324,375 outstanding warrants, at a weighted average exercise price of $25.00, that are expected to expire in approximately 1.3 years.
The net carrying value of the Company’s outstanding debt as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, consisted of the following:
(in thousands)
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
2026 Notes
$
330,707
$
330,707
2031 Notes
300,000
—
Less: unamortized debt discount
(12,024)
(5,053)
Total convertible notes, net of discount
$
618,683
$
325,654
The Company issued the following convertible notes (collectively, the “Notes”) in private offerings:
•$300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.125% Convertible Senior Notes due 2031 (the “2031 Notes”)
•$330.7 million aggregate principal amount of 1.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Notes”)
The following table summarizes the key terms of each of the Notes:
2026 Notes
2031 Notes
Issuance Date
November 2021
August 2024
Maturity Date
December 1, 2026
September 1, 2031
Remaining Principal (in thousands)
$
330,707
$
300,000
Stated Interest Rate
1.0
%
2.125
%
Interest Payment Dates
June 1 & December 1
March 1 & September 1
Net Proceeds (1)(in thousands)
$
728,082
$
291,595
Initial Conversion Rate
13.1277
52.9451
Initial Conversion Price
$
76.17
$
18.89
Share Principal Price
$
1,000
$
1,000
(1)Net proceeds are net of customary offering expenses associated with the issuance of each of the Notes (the “issuance costs”). The Company accounts for these issuance costs as a reduction to the principal amount and amortizes the issuance costs to interest expense from the respective debt issuance date through the Maturity Date, on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Issuance of 2031 Notes
On August 14, 2024, the Company issued $250.0 million principal of 2.125% Convertible Senior Notes due 2031. In addition, on August 14, 2024, the initial purchasers of the 2031 Notes purchased an additional $50.0 million principal of 2031 Notes for an aggregate principal amount of $300.0 million. The 2031 Notes were issued pursuant to, and are governed by, an indenture (the “Indenture”) with respect to the 2031 Notes between the Company and the U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).
The 2031 Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company and bear interest at a rate of 2.125% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning on March 1, 2025. The 2031 Notes will mature on September 1, 2031, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted in accordance with their terms. The 2031 Notes are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at an initial conversion rate of 52.9451 shares per one thousand dollar principal amount of 2031 Notes, which represents an initial conversion price of approximately $18.89 per share of common stock. The conversion rate is subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments. In addition, following certain events that occur prior to the maturity date or if the Company delivers a notice of redemption, the Company will increase the conversion rate for a holder who elects to convert its 2031 Notes in connection with such corporate event or notice of redemption, as the case may be, in certain circumstances as provided by the Indenture.
Prior to March 1, 2031, the 2031 Notes are convertible only upon the occurrence of certain events. On or after March 1, 2031 until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity
date of the 2031 Notes, holders may convert the 2031 Notes at any time. Upon conversion of the 2031 Notes, the Company will pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of the Company’s common stock or a combination of cash and shares of common stock, at the Company’s election.
Prior to September 6, 2028, the Company may not redeem the 2031 Notes. The Company may redeem for cash all or any portion of the 2031 Notes, at its option, on or after September 6, 2028, if the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock has been at least 130% of the conversion price then in effect for at least 20 trading days, whether or not consecutive, including the trading day immediately preceding the date on which the Company provides a notice of redemption, during any 30 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date on which the Company provides notice of redemption. The redemption price will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2031 Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date.
Holders have the right to require the Company to repurchase for cash all or any portion of their 2031 Notes on March 1, 2029 at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2031 Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding the repurchase date. In addition, if the Company undergoes a “fundamental change,” as defined in the Indenture, prior to the maturity, subject to certain conditions, holders may require the Company to repurchase for cash all or any portion of their 2031 Notes at a fundamental change repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2031 Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date.
The Indenture contains customary terms and covenants, including that upon certain events of default occurring and continuing, either the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding 2031 Notes may declare 100% of the principal of, and accrued and unpaid special interest, if any, on, all the 2031 Notes to be due and payable.
2026 Notes Partial Extinguishment of Debt
In September 2023, the Company entered into privately negotiated exchange agreements with certain holders of its 2026 Notes. In total, the Company exchanged $416.8 million principal amount of 2026 Notes for an aggregate 31,722,417 shares of Company common stock. Due to the addition of a substantive conversion feature, the Company determined that the exchange was an extinguishment of debt. The Company measured an $82.6 million gain on extinguishment of debt based on the carrying value of the 2026 Notes, the fair value of the Company’s common stock issued in the exchange and related transaction costs on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The Company is permitted and may seek to repurchase additional notes prior to the maturity date, whether through privately negotiated purchases, open market purchases, or otherwise.
NOTE 15 – LEASES
The Company has operating and finance leases primarily for office space, mining facilities and land in the United States.
The Company also entered into an arrangement with Applied Digital Corporation for the use of energized cryptocurrency mining facilities under which the Company pays for electricity per megawatt based on usage. The Company has determined that it has embedded operating leases at two of the facilities governed by this arrangement that commenced in January and March 2023, and has elected not to separate lease and non-lease components. Payment for these two operating leases are entirely variable and are based on usage of electricity, and the Company therefore does not record a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset or lease liability associated with the leases.
The Company has amortized the ROU assets totaling $0.4 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $1.1 million and $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The following table presents the assets and liabilities related to the Company’s operating and finance leases as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
(in thousands)
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Assets
Balance Sheet Classification
Operating lease ROU assets
Operating lease right-of-use assets
$
9,363
$
443
Finance lease ROU assets
Property and equipment, net
4,019
—
Total ROU assets
$
13,382
$
443
Liabilities
Current portion:
Operating lease liabilities
Operating lease liabilities, current portion
$
367
$
124
Finance lease liability
Finance lease liability, current portion
179
—
Long-term portion:
Operating lease liabilities
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion
15,014
354
Finance lease liability
Finance lease liability, net of current portion
4,832
—
Total lease liabilities
$
20,392
$
478
Lease costs are recorded on a straight-line basis within operating expenses. The Company’s total lease expenses are comprised of the following:
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)
2024
2023
2024
2023
Lease costs:
Operating lease cost
$
437
$
65
$
1,402
$
250
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of ROU asset (1)
11
—
21
—
Short-term lease rent expense
66
8
103
28
Variable lease cost
31,107
26,263
74,336
46,201
Total rent expense
$
31,621
$
26,336
$
75,862
$
46,479
(1)Amortization of finance lease ROU asset is included in “Cost of revenues - depreciation and amortization” on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Additional information regarding the Company’s leasing activities is as follows:
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
Operating cash flows from operating leases
$
1,250
$
319
Financing cash flows from finance lease
$
163
$
—
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years):
Operating leases
6.6
3.3
Finance lease
96.5
—
Weighted-average discount rate:
Operating leases
6.7
%
5.0
%
Finance lease
7.2
%
—
%
The following table presents the Company’s future minimum lease payments as of September 30, 2024:
(in thousands)
Year
Operating Leases
Finance Lease
2024 (remaining)
$
99
$
—
2025
457
168
2026
1,080
173
2027
2,835
178
2028
2,782
183
Thereafter
6,973
89,096
Total
14,226
89,798
Less: Imputed interest
(3,503)
(85,921)
Present value of lease liability (1)
$
10,723
$
3,877
(1)Present value of lease liability exclude unfavorable lease liabilities associated with the GC Data Center Equity Holdings, LLC operating lease and the Garden City acquisition finance lease for a net value of $4.7 million and $1.1 million, respectively. Refer to Note 3 - Acquisitions, for further information.
NOTE 16 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company, and its subsidiaries, from time to time may be subject to various claims, lawsuits and legal proceedings that arise from the ordinary course of business.
In accordance with ASC 450 - Contingencies, if a loss contingency associated with the following legal matters are probable to be incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated, an accrual is recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of September 30, 2024, the Company has determined that the liabilities associated with certain litigation matters are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Financial Statements. The Company will continue to monitor each related legal issue and adjust accruals as new information and developments occur.
On March 30, 2023, a putative class action complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada, against the Company and present and former senior management, alleging claims under Section 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act arising out of the Company’s announcement of accounting restatements on February 28, 2023. On March 29, 2024, the court appointed lead plaintiffs and counsel. On June 4, 2024, lead plaintiffs filed an amended class action complaint, styled as Langer et al. v. Marathon et al. The allegations in the amended class action complaint are substantially similar to those in the March 30, 2023 putative class action complaint. On August 5, 2024, the defendants moved to dismiss the amended class action complaint.
Derivative Complaints
On June 22, 2023, a shareholder derivative complaint was filed in the Circuit Court of the 17th Judicial Circuit for Broward County, Florida, against current members of the Company’s Board and senior management, alleging claims for breach of fiduciary duty and unjust enrichment based on allegations substantially similar to the allegations in the March 30, 2023 putative class action complaint in Moreno.
On July 8, 2023, a second shareholder derivative complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada, against current and former members of the Company’s Board and senior management, alleging claims under Sections 14(a), 10(b), and 21D of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and for breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, and waste of corporate assets, based on allegations substantially similar to the allegations in the March 30, 2023 putative class action complaint in Moreno.
On July 12, 2023, a third shareholder derivative complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada, against current and former members of the Company’s Board and senior management, alleging claims under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and for breach of fiduciary duty, based on allegations substantially similar to the allegations in the March 30, 2023 putative class action complaint in Moreno.
On July 13, 2023, a fourth shareholder derivative complaint was filed in the Circuit Court of the 17th Judicial Circuit for Broward County, Florida (together with the complaint filed on June 22, 2023, the “Florida Derivative Actions”), against current members of the Company’s Board and senior management, alleging claims for breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, and waste of corporate assets, based on allegations substantially similar to the allegations in the March 30, 2023 putative class action complaint in Moreno.
On August 14, 2023, the two derivative actions pending in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada were consolidated (the “Nevada Derivative Action”). On April 1, 2024, the United States District Court for the District of Nevada appointed co-lead counsel for plaintiffs in the Nevada Derivative Action. On June 25, 2024, plaintiffs filed an amended consolidated complaint alleging breaches of fiduciary duties, unjust enrichment, waste of corporate assets, claims under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act, and for contribution under Sections 10(b) and 21D of the Exchange Act. On August 9, 2024, the defendants moved to dismiss the amended complaint.
On October 16, 2023, the parties to the derivative actions pending in the Circuit Court of the 17th Judicial Circuit for Broward County, Florida filed an agreed order to stay both actions pending completion of the Nevada Derivative Action. On July 25, 2024, the Florida Derivative Actions were administratively closed.
Information Subpoena
On October 6, 2020, the Company entered into a series of agreements with multiple parties to design and build a data center for up to 100-megawatts in Hardin, Montana. In conjunction therewith, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K on October 13, 2020 disclosing that, pursuant to a Data Facility Services Agreement, the Company issued 6,000,000 shares of restricted common stock, in transactions exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). During the quarter ended September 30, 2021, the Company and certain of its executives received a subpoena to produce documents and communications concerning the Hardin, Montana data center facility. The Company received an additional subpoena from the SEC on April 10, 2023, relating to, among other things, transactions with related parties. The Company understands that the SEC may be investigating whether or not there may have been any violations of the federal securities law. The Company is cooperating with the SEC.
On January 14, 2021, plaintiff Michael Ho (“Ho”) filed a civil complaint (the “Complaint”) in which he alleged, among other things, that the Company breached the terms of a non-disclosure agreement, profited from commercially sensitive information he shared with the Company, and refused to compensate him for his role in securing the Company’s acquisition of an energy supplier. The Complaint initially alleged six causes of action including: (1) breach of written contract, (2) breach of implied contract, (3) quasi-contract, (4) services rendered, (5) intentional interference with prospective economic relations, and (6) negligent interference with prospective economic relations. On February 22, 2021, the Company responded to the Complaint with a general denial of the claims and asserted certain affirmative defenses. On February 25, 2021, the Company removed the action to the United States District Court in the Central District of California (the “Court”). The Company filed a motion for summary judgment with respect to each of the causes of action, and the Court dismissed all of the causes of action other than breach of written contract.
On July 8, 2024, the Court commenced a jury trial with respect to the sole remaining claim. On July 18, 2024, the jury determined that the Company had breached certain provisions of the non-disclosure agreement and returned a verdict in the amount of $138.8 million. On September 18, 2024, the Court entered a judgment of the same amount, plus post-judgment interest. The Company has not paid any portion of the award. On October 16, 2024, the Company filed a renewed motion for judgment as a matter of law (or in the alternative for a new trial and remittitur), which, based on applicable law, seeks to overturn, or at a minimum significantly reduce, the damage award. Also on October 16, 2024, the Company filed a motion to correct the judgment’s interest rate, and Ho filed a motion requesting an award of pre-judgment interest. Subsequent to September 30, 2024, the Company acquired a surety bond for the amount owing. The Company intends to defend its positions vigorously and assert its various well-founded legal claims to challenge both the verdict and the amount of the award.
NOTE 17 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
During September 2023, the Company entered into an agreement with Auradine to secure certain rights to future purchases by the Company from Auradine for which the Company paid $15.0 million.
On September 26, 2024, the Company purchased additional shares of Auradine preferred stock with a purchase price of $0.8 million, bringing the Company’s total investment holdings in Auradine to $50.7 million based upon previous purchases of additional preferred stock and a SAFE instrument.
In addition, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company made advances of $11.6 million and $16.7 million, respectively, for future purchases resulting in total advances to Auradine of $31.5 million as of September 30, 2024.
NOTE 18 – SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following table provides supplemental disclosure of Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows information:
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
Cash and cash equivalents
$
164,256
$
357,313
Restricted cash
12,000
—
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
$
176,256
$
357,313
Supplemental information:
Cash paid for income taxes
$
1,256
$
785
Cash paid for interest
25
6,200
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Series A Preferred Stock accretion to redemption value
$
—
$
2,121
Reclassifications from advances to vendor to property and equipment upon receipt of equipment
404,133
551,650
Reclassifications from advances to vendor to investments
30,587
—
Reclassifications from advances to vendor to other assets
3,421
—
Reclassifications from long-term prepaid to property and equipment
3,273
—
Reclassifications from long-term prepaid to intangible assets
2,633
—
Exchange of convertible notes for common stock
—
318,771
Dividends received from equity method investment
18,950
—
NOTE 19 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On October 15, 2024, the Company announced it had secured a $200.0 million line of credit, collateralized by a portion of the Company’s bitcoin holdings. The Company may use the funds to capitalize on strategic opportunities and for other general corporate purposes. As of October 17, 2024, the facility was fully utilized.
On November 5, 2024, the Company acquired two operational data centers located in Hannibal and Hopedale, Ohio, with 222 megawatts of interconnect-approved capacity. These sites have 122 megawatts of capacity and interconnection approval to expand by another 100 megawatts. Simultaneously, the Company has begun developing a 150-megawatt operation in Findlay, Ohio, which already has 30 megawatts of capacity. These three facilities have a combined interconnect-approved capacity of 372 megawatts.
Subsequent to September 30, 2024, the Company issued an aggregate 16,860,005 shares of common stock under the 2024 ATM. As a result, the Company had $520.2 million aggregate offering price remaining under the 2024 ATM.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references to “MARA,” “we,” “us,” and the “Company” refer to MARA Holdings, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
You should read the following discussion and analysis together with our financial statements and related notes in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 (this “Quarterly Report”).
This Quarterly Report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which statements are subject to considerable risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements included or incorporated by reference in this Quarterly Report, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “believe,” “continue” or the negative of such terms, or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements also include the assumptions underlying or relating to such statements. Our forward-looking statements are based on our management’s current assumptions and expectations about future events and trends, which affect or may affect our business, strategy, operations or financial performance. Although we believe that these forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, they are subject to numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are made in light of information currently available to us. Our actual financial condition and results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth below in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item 1A, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2024, as amended by Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A (our “Annual Report”), which is incorporated herein by reference, as well as in the other public filings we make with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You should read this Quarterly Report with the understanding that our actual future financial condition and results may be materially different from and worse than what we expect.
Additionally, information regarding market and industry statistics contained in this Quarterly Report is included based upon information available to us that we believe is accurate as of the date of this Quarterly Report. It is generally based upon industry and other publications that are not produced for purposes of securities offerings or economic analysis. We have not reviewed or included data from all sources and cannot assure investors of the accuracy or completeness of the data included in this Quarterly Report. Forecasts and other forward-looking information obtained from these sources are subject to the same qualifications and the additional uncertainties accompanying any estimates of future market size, revenue and market acceptance of products and services. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement. As a result, investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
MARA is a global leader in leveraging digital asset compute to support the energy transformation with operations in four continents and 14 data centers in North America, the Middle East, Europe and Latin America. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had 1,100 megawatts of available energy capacity for computing. The Company uses different strategies and structures (self-owned and operated, joint ventures, and third-party hosted) to diversify risk across the organization. It is the Company’s intent that self-owned and operated sites will represent a greater proportion of our portfolio over time. The Company’s core business is Utility-Scale Computing, which produces or “mines” bitcoin using one of the industry’s largest and most energy-efficient fleets of specialized computers while providing dispatchable compute as an optionality to the electric grid operators to balance electric demands on the grid. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had approximately 268,000 energized and operational mining rigs, capable of producing 36.9 exahashes per second with an efficiency of 22.7 joules per terahash, which the Company believes to be amongst the most efficient in the industry. The Company also operates its own mining pool that it believes provides it a competitive advantage over other mining companies, has its own firmware and state of the art liquid cooling technology, all of which help enhance its margins. The Company tripled its compute capacity in 2023 and is slated to double the capacity again in 2024 as it gears towards 50.0 exahash. Additionally, as of September 30, 2024, the Company held approximately 26,747 bitcoin on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The following table presents the approximate number of digital assets held and the approximate fair value of a single digital asset, as of the following dates:
Bitcoin
Kaspa
Quantity
Fair Value per coin
Quantity
Fair Value per coin
September 30, 2024
26,747
$
63,301
107,891,919
$
0.158
June 30, 2024
18,488
62,668
88,969,525
0.192
March 31, 2024
17,320
71,289
N/A
N/A
December 31, 2023
15,126
42,288
N/A
N/A
September 30, 2023
13,716
26,961
N/A
N/A
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Highlights from the quarter ended September 30, 2024:
•On July 25, 2024, the Company purchased $100.0 million of bitcoin using cash on hand, increasing our bitcoin holdings to over 20,000 BTC on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company announced the intent to adopt a full holding onto bitcoin approach (“HODL”) towards its bitcoin treasury policy, retaining all bitcoin mined in its operations, periodically making strategic open market purchases.
•On August 14, 2024, the Company issued an aggregate principal amount of $300.0 million of 2.125% Convertible Senior Notes due 2031 (the “2031 Notes”). Refer to Note 14 – Debt in the notes to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report, for further information. With the net proceeds of the 2031 Notes, the Company purchased an additional 4,144 bitcoin, or approximately $249.0 million, during the quarter.
•On September 5, 2024, the Company announced the appointment of Janet George and Barbara Humpton to its Board of Directors and announced the appointment of current board member Doug Mellinger as lead independent director, effective September 1, 2024. Ms. George and Ms. Humpton bring extensive expertise in artificial intelligence, data centers and energy. Their proven track records in driving innovation and growth across complex industries will be invaluable to the Company’s strategic growth.
•On October 15, 2024, the Company announced securing a $200 million line of credit, collateralized by a portion of the Company’s bitcoin holdings. The Company plans to use the funds to capitalize on strategic opportunities and for other general corporate purposes.
•First publicly traded digital bitcoin mining company to submit a climate-related disclosure report to the Climate Disclosure Project (CDP).
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
In order to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the information used by our management team in financial and operational decision-making, we supplement our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements that have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) with the non-GAAP financial measures of adjusted EBITDA and total margin excluding depreciation and amortization.
The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as (a) GAAP net income (loss) plus (b) adjustments to add back the impacts of (1) interest income (2) interest expense, (3) income tax expense (benefit), (4) depreciation and amortization and (5) adjustments for non-cash and/or non-recurring items which currently include (i) stock compensation expense, (ii) change in fair value of derivative instrument, (iii) early termination expenses and other and (iv) net gain from extinguishment of debt. The Company defines total margin excluding depreciation and amortization as (a) GAAP total margin less (b) depreciation and amortization.
Management uses adjusted EBITDA and total margin excluding depreciation and amortization, along with the supplemental information provided herein, as a means of understanding, managing and evaluating business performance and to help inform operating decision-making. The Company relies primarily on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements to understand, manage and evaluate its financial performance and uses non-GAAP financial measures only supplementally.
We believe that adjusted EBITDA and total margin excluding depreciation and amortization are useful measures to us and to our investors because they exclude certain financial, capital structure and non-cash items that we do not believe directly reflect our core operations and may not be indicative of our recurring operations, in part because they may vary widely across time and within our industry independent of the performance of our core operations. We believe that excluding these items enables us to more effectively evaluate our performance period-over-period and relative to our competitors. Adjusted EBITDA and total margin excluding depreciation and amortization may not be comparable to similarly titled measures provided by other companies due to potential differences in methods of calculations.
The Company acquired a commodity swap agreement, which meets the definition of a derivative, in conjunction with its acquisition of GC Data Center Equity Holdings, LLC on January 12, 2024. The change in fair value of this derivative instrument has fluctuated significantly since we acquired this contract, and we believe these fluctuations do not reflect the performance of our core operations. In addition, we believe excluding the change in fair value of derivative instruments enables us to more effectively evaluate our performance period-over-period and relative to our competitors who make similar adjustments to adjusted EBITDA. As such, beginning with the period ended September 30, 2024, the Company has updated its calculation of adjusted EBITDA to exclude the change in fair value of derivative instrument. Accordingly, certain prior period information has been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
bitcoin (“BTC”) production during the period, in whole BTC (1)
2,070
3,490
(1,420)
Average bitcoin per day, in whole BTC
22.5
37.9
(15.4)
Total margin (total revenues less total cost of revenues)
$
(67,016)
$
(15,327)
$
(51,689)
Cost of revenues - depreciation and amortization
$
(101,136)
$
(53,548)
$
(47,588)
Total margin excluding the impact of depreciation and amortization:
Mining(2)
$
34,157
$
38,221
$
(4,064)
Hosting services (2)
$
(37)
$
—
$
(37)
General and administrative expenses excluding stock-based compensation
$
(40,385)
$
(13,917)
$
(26,468)
Installed Hash Rate (Exahashes per second) - at end of period (3)
36.9
23.1
13.8
Energized Hash Rate (Exahashes per second) - at end of period (3)
36.9
19.1
17.8
Average Operational Hash Rate (Exahashes per second) (4)
28.8
14.5
14.3
Cost per Petahash per day (5)
$
37.1
$
45.2
$
8.1
Share of available miner rewards
4.8
%
4.0
%
0.8
%
Number of blocks won
604
528
76
Transaction fees as a percentage of total
2.4
%
2.5
%
(0.1)
%
Reconciliation to Adjusted EBITDA:
Net loss
$
(124,789)
$
(390)
$
(124,399)
Interest income
(3,894)
(426)
(3,468)
Interest expense
2,342
2,536
(194)
Income tax expense (benefit)
(49,161)
73
(49,234)
Depreciation and amortization (6)
104,463
54,032
50,431
EBITDA
(71,039)
55,825
(126,864)
Stock compensation expense
23,340
5,511
17,829
Change in fair value of derivative instrument (7)
58,234
—
58,234
Early termination expenses and other (8)
11,304
—
11,304
Net gain from extinguishment of debt
—
(82,600)
82,600
Adjusted EBITDA
$
21,839
$
(21,264)
$
43,103
(1)Includes 46 and 23 bitcoin representing the Company’s share of the equity method investee, Abu Dhabi Global Markets company (the “ADGM Entity”), for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively.
(2)Mining and hosting services margin excluding the impact of depreciation and amortization is calculated using revenues less cost of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization, for mining and hosting services, respectively.
(3)The Company defines Energized Hash Rate as the total hash rate that could be generated if all installed and energized machines were running at 100% of manufacturers’ specifications. The Company uses this metric only as an indicator of progress in bringing mining rigs online. The Company defines Installed Hash Rate as the total hash rate that could be generated if all installed machines were running at 100% of manufacturers’ specifications. The Company uses this metric only as an indicator of progress in deploying mining rigs at its production sites. The Company believes that these metrics are useful as an indicator of potential bitcoin production. However, these metrics cannot be tied directly to any production level expected to be actually achieved as (a) there may be delays in the energization of Installed Hash Rate (b) the Company cannot predict when installed and energized mining rigs may be offline for any reason, including curtailment or machine failure and (c) the Company cannot predict Global Hash Rate (and therefore the Company's share of the Global Hash Rate), which has a significant impact on the Company's ability to generate bitcoin in any given period.
(4) Defined as the daily Average Operational Hash Rate online during the period.
(5) Cost per Petahash per day is calculated using mining cost of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization, divided by the Average Operational Hash Rate, excluding the Company’s share of the hash rate for the equity method investee, the ADGM Entity, by a factor of 1,000.
(6) Includes approximately $3.1 million of depreciation and amortization from the Company’s share in the results of its equity method investee, the ADGM Entity, reported in “Equity in net earnings of unconsolidated affiliate” for the three months ended September 30, 2024 on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(7) For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the reported adjusted EBITDA was $528.8 million, revised for the change in fair value of derivative instrument of a $15.3 million loss, results in a revised adjusted EBITDA of $541.5 million. For the three months ended June 30, 2024, the reported adjusted EBITDA loss was $85.1 million, revised for the change in fair value of derivative instrument of $38.3 million, results in a
revised adjusted EBITDA loss of $125.6 million. Refer to the discussion within “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” herein for the reasons of the Company’s exclusion of change in fair value of derivative instrument from adjusted EBITDA.
(8) Early termination expenses represent amounts recognized as the cost to early terminate data center hosting agreements in addition to the gain (loss) on investments during the period.
Revenues: The Company generated revenues of $131.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $97.8 million in the prior year period. The $33.8 million or approximately 35% increase in revenues was primarily driven by a $74.0 million increase in the average price of bitcoin, partially offset by a $40.5 million decrease in bitcoin production due to the April 2024 halving event. The average price of bitcoin mined was 116% higher than the average price of bitcoin mined in the prior year period and average daily bitcoin production was 22.5 bitcoin in the current year period compared with 37.9 in the prior year period. The Company produced 1,420 less bitcoin for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the prior year period primarily due to the halving event in April 2024 and increased global hashrate, partially offset by an increase in the Company’s share of the network hashrate, which resulted in a 14% increase in number of blocks won. During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the third-party site equipment failure and transmission line maintenance were completely resolved.
Cost of revenues – mining during the three months ended September 30, 2024 totaled $97.1 million compared to $59.6 million in the prior year period. The $37.5 million or approximately 63% increase was primarily driven by the growth in the Company’s hash rate from the deployment and energization of mining rigs compared to the prior year period. The Company’s Cost per Petahash per day improved to $37.1 from $45.2, or approximately 18%, in the three months ended September 30, 2024 when compared with the prior year period, primarily due to strategic acquisitions with more efficient cost structures and deployment of more efficient miners. The Company believes Cost per Petahash per day to be a key metric to evaluate its operating costs and expects it to reduce as the Company grows its operations towards 50.0 exahash by the end of 2024.
Cost of revenues – hosting services during the three months ended September 30, 2024 totaled $0.4 million which includes cost of power and other hosting related operating costs to provide hosting services. The Company exited this business during the three months ended September 30, 2024 to strategically focus on its owned and operated mining business.
Cost of revenues – depreciation and amortization during the three months ended September 30, 2024 totaled $101.1 million compared to $53.5 million in the prior year period. The $47.6 million or approximately 89% increase was primarily due to the deployment of mining rigs since the prior year period, the acquisitions of GC Data Center Equity Holdings, LLC and the Garden City Acquisition and overall increased scale of the business.
Total Margin was a loss of $67.0 million in the current year period compared to a loss of $15.3 million in the prior year period, a decrease of $51.7 million or approximately 337%. The following table summarizes the factors that impacted the decrease in total margin for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the prior year period:
Revenue:
(in thousands)
●
Higher average price of bitcoin produced and other revenue
$
74,006
●
Lower amount of bitcoin produced
(40,549)
●
Third-party hosting
341
Cost of revenue – energy, hosting and other:
●
Higher costs due to growth in hash rate
(57,506)
●
Decrease in hash costs and other costs
19,985
●
Third-party hosting
(378)
Cost of revenue – depreciation and amortization:
●
Increased due to deployment of mining rigs
(41,665)
●
Increased due to third-party hosting services
(5,923)
$
(51,689)
Total margin excluding the impact of depreciation and amortization, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $34.1 million compared to $38.2 million in the prior year period.
General and administrative expenses: General and administrative expenses were $63.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $19.4 million in the prior year period, an increase of $44.3 million or approximately 228%. General and administrative expenses excluding stock-based compensation was $40.4 million in the current year period compared to $13.9 million in the prior year period. This $26.5 million or approximately 190% increase in expenses was primarily due to the increased scale of the business and acquisitions, including payroll and benefits, professional fees, facility and equipment repair and maintenance expenses and other third-party costs associated with growth in the business. The increase in stock-based compensation of $23.3 million in the current year period compared to $5.5 million in the prior year period resulted from issuing the Company's 2023 performance-based stock awards in January 2024 and the introduction in May 2024 of a new long-term performance-based stock award program for 2024 that, unlike the 2023 stock award, meets the criteria to begin expensing immediately. The Company’s headcount increased from 48 employees as of September 30, 2023 to approximately 130 employees as of September 30, 2024, further contributed to the increase in stock-based compensation expense.
Change in fair value of digital assets: The Company recognized a gain on digital assets of $30.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to a loss of $44.7 million in the prior year period. The $74.8 million or approximately 167% increase was primarily related to the favorable mark-to-market adjustment in the current year period due to the increase in bitcoin price from $62,668 to $63,301, from June 30, 2024 to September 30, 2024, respectively, and the underlying digital assets held at the respective dates. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had 26,747 bitcoin, an increase of 95% compared to the prior year period. The Company views bitcoin on its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as an important treasury reserve asset and expects to continue to invest in the future.
Change in fair value of derivative instrument: The Company acquired a commodity swap contract as a result of the GC Data Center Equity Holdings, LLC acquisition. The fair value decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2024, primarily due to the decrease in the electricity forward curve prices during the current period compared to the contracted fixed price.
Research and development: Research and development expenses were $2.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $0.7 million in the prior year period. These expenses consisted primarily of contractor costs, supplies, personnel and related expenses for our mining and technology businesses.
Early termination expenses: During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company terminated the remaining hosting agreements with customers from the GC Data Center Equity Holdings, LLC acquisition, and recognized early termination expenses of $10.3 million, to expand self-mining capacity.
Amortization of intangible assets: During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recorded a $0.2 million amortization expense for intangible assets. There was no amortization expense of intangible assets in the prior year period.
Loss on investments: During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company wrote-down a previous SAFE investment for a loss of $1.0 million.
Net gain on extinguishment of debt: In September 2023, the Company entered into agreements with certain holders of Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Notes”) to exchange an aggregate $416.8 million principal amount of 2026 Notes for 31,722,417 shares of the Company's common stock and recorded a gain in the amount of $82.6 million.
Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliate: During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recorded its share of net earnings for its 20% interest in the ADGM Entity in the amount of $2.1 million, compared to $0.6 million in the prior year period. The Company’s share of the ADGM Entity’s operating results included earnings from the production of 46 bitcoin and approximately $3.1 million of depreciation and amortization during the three months ended September 30, 2024, whereas in the prior year period, the Company’s share of ADGM Entity’s operating results included earnings from production of 23 bitcoin and approximately $0.5 million of depreciation and amortization.
Interest income: Interest income was $3.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $0.4 million in the prior year period. The $3.5 million increase was primarily due to the higher average balance of cash and cash equivalents and interest earned on loaned bitcoin in the current year period.
Interest expense: Interest expense of $2.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 remained relatively flat compared to the prior year period. Interest costs were impacted by the exchange of $416.8 million aggregate principal amount of 2026 Notes for shares of the Company’s common stock September 2023 and the issuance of the 2031 Notes during the three months ended September 30, 2024.
Income tax benefit (expense): The Company recorded income tax benefit of $49.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to an income tax expense of $0.1 million in the prior year period. The $49.2 million income tax benefit primarily arises from the release of the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, driven by the increase in bitcoin’s fair value and positive forecasts for its future value.
Net loss: The Company recorded a net loss of $124.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to a net loss of $0.4 million in the prior year period. The $124.4 million decrease in net loss was primarily driven by a $92.1 million increase in operating loss, the absence of an $82.6 million net gain from the extinguishment of debt, partially offset by a $49.2 million income tax benefit in the current period compared to the prior year period.
Adjusted EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA was $21.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to an adjusted EBITDA loss of $21.3 million in the prior year period. The $43.1 million increase was primarily impacted by an increase in net loss, adjusted for an increase in stock compensation expense, and an unfavorable change in fair value derivative instrument, early termination expenses during the current period and the absence of a net gain from the extinguishment of debt from the prior year period.
bitcoin (“BTC”) production during the period, in whole BTC (1)
6,938
8,610
(1,672)
Average bitcoin per day, in whole BTC
25.3
31.5
(6.2)
Total margin (total revenues less total cost of revenues)
$
(106,580)
$
(26,043)
$
(80,537)
Cost of revenues - depreciation and amortization
$
(266,939)
$
(108,556)
$
(158,383)
Total margin excluding the impact of depreciation and amortization:
Mining
$
157,980
$
82,513
$
75,467
Hosting services
$
2,379
$
—
$
2,379
General and administrative expenses excluding stock-based compensation
$
(90,569)
$
(40,497)
$
(50,072)
Installed Hash Rate (Exahashes per second) - at end of period
36.9
23.1
13.8
Energized Hash Rate (Exahashes per second) - at end of period
36.9
19.1
17.8
Average Operational Hash Rate (Exahashes per second)
23.6
11.1
12.5
Cost per Petahash per day
$
40.7
$
48.9
$
8.2
Share of available miner rewards
3.6
%
3.3
%
0.3
%
Number of blocks won
1,429
1,163
266
Transaction fees as a percentage of total
6.8
%
4.6
%
2.2
%
Reconciliation to Adjusted EBITDA:
Net income
$
12,725
$
109,347
$
(96,622)
Interest income
(8,655)
(1,366)
(7,289)
Interest expense
4,967
9,136
(4,169)
Income tax expense (benefit)
(42,767)
351
(43,118)
Depreciation and amortization (2)
298,826
109,040
189,786
EBITDA
265,096
226,508
38,588
Stock compensation expense
103,585
13,907
89,678
Change in fair value of derivative instrument (3)
35,235
—
35,235
Early termination expenses and other
33,825
—
33,825
Net gain from extinguishment of debt
—
(82,267)
82,267
Adjusted EBITDA
$
437,741
$
158,148
$
279,593
(1)Includes 313 and 23 bitcoin representing the Company’s share of the equity method investee, the ADGM entity, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively.
(2) Includes approximately $9.2 million of depreciation and amortization from the Company’s share in the results of its equity method investee, the ADGM entity, reported in “Equity in net earnings of unconsolidated affiliate” for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(3) For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the reported adjusted EBITDA was $528.8 million, revised for the change in fair value of derivative instrument of a $15.3 million loss, results in a revised adjusted EBITDA of $541.5 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, the reported adjusted EBITDA was $443.7 million, revised for the change in fair value of derivative instrument of $23.0 million, results in a revised adjusted EBITDA of $415.9 million. Refer to the discussion within “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” herein for the reasons of the Company’s exclusion of change in fair value of derivative instrument from adjusted EBITDA.
Revenues: The Company generated revenues of $442.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $230.7 million in the prior year period. The $211.2 million or approximately 92% increase in revenues was primarily driven by a $234.0 million increase in the average price of bitcoin mined, partially offset by a $52.6 million decrease in bitcoin production due to the April 2024 halving, and the inclusion of $29.8 million in revenues generated from providing hosting services as a result of the GC Data Center Hosting, LLC acquisition in January of 2024. The average price of bitcoin mined was 120% higher than the average price of bitcoin mined in the prior year period and average daily bitcoin production was 25.3 bitcoin in the current year period compared with 31.5 in the prior year period. The Company produced 1,672 less bitcoin for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the prior year period primarily due to the halving event in April 2024, increased global hashrate and the continued impact of unexpected equipment failures at third-party operated sites and transmission line maintenance, partially offset by an increase in the Company’s share of the network hashrate. During the quarter ended September 30, 2024, the third-party site equipment failure and transmission line maintenance were completely resolved.
Cost of revenues – mining during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 totaled $254.2 million compared to $148.2 million in the prior year period. The $106.0 million or approximately 72% increase was primarily driven by the growth in the Company’s hash rate from the deployment and energization of mining rigs compared to the prior year period. Partially offsetting the increase was the impact of unexpected equipment failures and transmission line maintenance, which resulted in downtime that reduced hosting and energy costs. The Company’s Cost per Petahash per day improved to $40.7 from $48.9, or approximately 17%, in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 when compared to the prior year period, primarily due to strategic acquisitions with more efficient cost structures and deployment of more efficient miners. The Company believes Cost per Petahash per day to be a key metric to evaluate its operating costs and expects it to reduce as the Company grows its operations towards 50.0 exahash by the end of 2024.
Cost of revenues – hosting services during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 totaled $27.4 million which includes cost of power and other hosting related operating costs to provide hosting services. Hosting services include results beginning January 12, 2024, the date of the acquisition of GC Data Center Equity Holdings, LLC. As of September 30, 2024, the Company exited all hosting facilities to strategically focus on its owned and operating mining business.
Cost of revenues – depreciation and amortization during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 totaled $266.9 million compared to $108.6 million in the prior year period. The $158.4 million or approximately 146% increase was primarily due to the deployment of mining rigs since the prior year period, the acquisitions of GC Data Center Equity Holdings, LLC and the Garden City Acquisition and overall increased scale of the business.
Total Margin was a loss of $106.6 million in the current year period compared to a loss of $26.0 million in the prior year period, a decrease of approximately $80.5 million. The following table summarizes the factors that impacted the decrease in total margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the prior year period.
Revenue:
(in thousands)
●
Higher average price of bitcoin produced and other revenue
$
234,024
●
Lower amount of bitcoin produced
(52,557)
●
Third-party hosting
29,777
Cost of revenue – energy, hosting and other:
●
Higher costs due to growth in hash rate
(154,904)
●
Decrease in hash costs and other costs
48,904
●
Third-party hosting
(27,398)
Cost of revenue – depreciation and amortization:
●
Increased due to deployment of mining rigs
(147,113)
●
Increased due to third-party hosting services
(11,270)
Total margin
$
(80,537)
Total margin excluding impact of depreciation and amortization for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $160.4 million compared to $82.5 million for the prior year period.
General and administrative expenses: General and administrative expenses were $194.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $54.4 million in the prior year period, an increase of $139.8 million or approximately 257%. General and administrative expenses excluding stock-based compensation was $90.6 million in the current year period compared to $40.5 million in the prior year period. The $50.1 million or approximately 124% increase in expenses was primarily due to the increased scale of the business and acquisitions, including payroll and benefits, professional fees, facility and equipment repair and maintenance expenses, and other third-party costs associated with growth in the business. The increase in stock-based compensation of $103.6 million in the current year period compared to $13.9 million in the prior year period resulted from issuing the Company's 2023 performance-based stock awards in January 2024 and the introduction of a new long-term performance-based stock award program for 2024 in May 2024 that, unlike the 2023 stock award, meets the criteria to begin expensing immediately. The Company’s headcount increased from 48 employees as of September 30, 2023 to approximately 130 employees as of September 30, 2024, further contributed to the increase in stock-based compensation expense.
Change in fair value of digital assets: The Company recognized a gain on digital assets of $370.9 million, compared to a gain of $117.9 million in the prior year period. The $253.0 million or approximately 215% increase was primarily related to the increase in bitcoin price from $42,288 to $63,301 from December 31, 2023 to September 30, 2024, respectively and the underlying digital assets held at the respective dates. As of September 30,
2024, the Company had 26,747 bitcoin, an increase of 95% compared to the prior year period. The Company views bitcoin on its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as an important treasury reserve asset and expects to continue to invest in the future.
Change in fair value of derivative instrument: The Company acquired a commodity swap contract as a result of its acquisition of GC Data Center Equity Holdings, LLC. The commodity swap contract hedges price variability in electricity purchases and expires on December 31, 2027. The commodity swap contract is a derivative instrument and remeasured at fair value each reporting period with changes recognized on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The fair value decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, primarily due to the decrease in the electricity forward curve prices during the current year period compared to the contracted fixed price.
Research and development: Research and development expenses were $9.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $1.6 million in the prior year period. These expenses consisted primarily of contractor costs, supplies, personnel, and related expenses for our mining and technology businesses.
Early termination expenses: On January 30, 2024, the Company entered into a termination and transition agreement (“Agreement”) with the operator, US Bitcoin Corp (“USBTC”), of the two sites from the January 12, 2024, acquisition of GC Data Center Equity Holdings, LLC. The Company and USBTC agreed to terminate the acquired operating agreement for a termination fee of $19.5 million, net of deposit refund. In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company terminated the remaining hosting agreements with customers from the GC Data Center Equity Holdings, LLC acquisition, and recognized early termination expenses of $18.4 million, to expand self-mining capacity.
Amortization of intangible assets: During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company fully amortized the customer relationships acquired in the GC Data Center Equity Holdings, LLC acquisition for $22.0 million, due to the Company’s strategic decision to exit hosting services business and termination of customer relationships. There was no amortization expense of intangible assets in the prior year period.
Gain on investments: During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company purchased additional shares in Auradine, Inc. (“Auradine”) preferred stock and recorded a gain on investments of $5.2 million to adjust the carrying amount of its investment. Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 the Company wrote-down a previous SAFE investment for a loss of $1.0 million.
Net gain from extinguishment of debt: In March 2023, the Company prepaid the outstanding balance on its term loan facility with Silvergate Bank and terminated the term loan facility. The Company and Silvergate agreed to also terminate the Company’s revolving credit facilities. In connection with the termination of the credit facility, the Company recorded a loss in the amount of $0.3 million. Additionally, in September 2023, the Company entered into agreements with certain holders of 2026 Notes to exchange an aggregate $416.8 million principal amount of 2026 Notes for 31,722,417 shares of the Company's common stock and recorded a gain in the amount of $82.6 million.
Equity in net earnings of unconsolidated affiliate: During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recorded its share of net losses for its 20% interest in the ADGM Entity in the amount of $0.8 million, compared to $0.6 million in the prior year period. The Company’s share of the ADGM Entity’s operating results included earnings from the production of 313 bitcoin, a $4.1 million impairment of property, plant and equipment and approximately $9.2 million of depreciation and amortization during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, whereas in the prior year period, the Company’s share of ADGM Entity’s operating results included earnings from production of 23 bitcoin and approximately $0.5 million of depreciation and amortization.
Loss on hedge instruments: During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recorded a $2.3 million realized loss related to bitcoin hedging activities. The Company has significant bitcoin holdings on its balance sheet and from time to time will evaluate, as part of its risk management and treasury management process, short-term hedging or yield enhancing opportunities. The Company has an Investment Committee composed of cross functional members of its senior executive team that evaluates market conditions to set hedging, investments, and monetization of bitcoin strategies. There were no outstanding bitcoin hedging transactions as of the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and there were no such activities in the prior year period.
Interest income: Interest income was $8.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $1.4 million in the prior year period. The $7.3 million increase was primarily due to the higher average balance of cash and cash equivalents and interest earned on loaned bitcoin in the current year period.
Interest expense: Interest expense was $5.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $9.1 million in the prior year period. The $4.2 million or approximately 46% decrease was a result of the exchange of
$416.8 million aggregate principal amount of the 2026 Notes for shares of the Company’s common stock in September 2023 and the issuance of the 2031 Notes during the quarter ended September 30, 2024.
Income tax benefit (expense): The Company recorded income tax benefit of $42.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to an income tax expense of $0.4 million in the prior year period. The $42.8 million income tax benefit primarily arises from the release of the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, driven by the increase in bitcoin’s fair value and positive forecasts for its future value.
Net income: The Company recorded net income of $12.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to net income of $109.3 million in the prior year period. The $96.6 million decrease in net income was primarily driven by a $70.8 million decrease in operating income (loss), the absence of an $82.3 million net gain from the extinguishment of debt, partially offset by a $7.3 million increase in interest income and a $43.1 million income tax benefit in the current period compared to the prior year period.
Adjusted EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA was $437.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to adjusted EBITDA of $158.1 million in the prior year period. The $279.6 million increase was primarily impacted by the increase in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; adjusted for the increase in stock compensation expense and early termination expenses during the current period, and the absence of the net gain from extinguishment of debt from the prior year period.
The following table presents a summary of the Company’s cash flow activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)
2024
2023
Net cash used in operating activities
$
(363,596)
$
(224,487)
Net cash used in investing activities
(1,232,255)
(373)
Net cash provided by financing activities
1,414,794
213,565
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
(181,057)
(11,295)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — beginning of period
357,313
112,505
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — end of period
$
176,256
$
101,210
Cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2024: Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash totaled $176.3 million at September 30, 2024, a decrease of $181.1 million from December 31, 2023.
Cash flows from operating activities resulted in a use of funds of $363.6 million, as net income, adjusted for non-cash and non-operating items, in the amount of $62.3 million was more than offset by the use of cash of $425.9 million from changes in operating assets and liabilities. When the Company produces and holds bitcoin on its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, it excludes such produced and held bitcoin from its operating cash flows. If the Company monetizes bitcoin in the future, those proceeds are reported as cash flows from investing activities. Changes in cash flows from operating assets and liabilities were driven by a use of funds associated with changes in digital assets of $412.0 million due to the non-cash adjustment for bitcoin mining revenues and deposits of $15.7 million resulting from increased deposits associated with hosting agreements.
Cash flows from investing activities resulted in a use of funds of $1,232.3 million, primarily resulting from the use of funds for advances to vendors of $584.8 million, purchase of digital assets of $395.6 million, payment for the acquisition of businesses of $275.8 million, capital expenditures of $64.3 million, and an investment in an equity method investee of $22.1 million, partially offset by proceeds from the sale of digital assets of $118.4 million.
Cash flows from financing activities resulted in a source of cash of $1,414.8 million, primarily from the periodic issuance of common stock under the Company’s 2024 ATM of $1,155.0 million, the issuance of the 2031 Notes of $291.6 million, net of issuance costs, partially offset by $29.0 million for the repurchase of shares in settlement of employee taxes upon restricted stock vesting.
Bitcoin holdings as of September 30, 2024: At September 30, 2024, the Company held approximately 26,747 bitcoin on its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets with a fair value of $1,693.1 million. The Company’s holdings as of September 30, 2024 excluded 95 bitcoins owned by the Company’s equity method investee, the ADGM Entity, but allocable to the Company, and pending distribution to the Company. At September 30, 2024, the fair value of a single bitcoin was approximately $63,301. The Company expects that its future bitcoin holdings will generally increase but will fluctuate from time to time, both in number of bitcoin held and fair value in U.S. dollars, depending upon operating and market conditions. The Company intends to add to its bitcoin holdings primarily through its production activities and from time to time purchases. The Company historically sold bitcoin as a means of generating cash to fund monthly operating costs and for general corporate purposes. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company purchased 6,481 bitcoin for $392.6 million. During the quarter end September 30, 2024, the Company acquired $100.0 million bitcoin using cash on hand and 4,144 bitcoin, or approximately $249.0 million, using the net proceeds from the issuance of the 2031 Notes as part of its strategy to hold bitcoin and not sell for the foreseeable future. As a result of the Company’s adoption of the aforementioned strategy, the Company anticipates funding its operations and investing activities principally from available cash and cash equivalents and from its financing activities.
Kaspa holdings as of September 30, 2024: In 2023, the Company began evaluating Kaspa as a potential way to diversify its revenue while continuing to utilize its current infrastructure and expertise in digital asset compute. After successfully deploying its first Kaspa ASICs in September 2023, the Company began scaling its operations. At September 30, 2024, the Company held approximately 107,891,919 Kaspa coins on its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets with a fair value of $17.1 million. At September 30, 2024, the fair value of a single Kaspa coin was approximately $0.1585. The Company intends to add to its Kaspa holdings primarily through its production activities. As of now we incur significantly less cost to produce Kaspa in U.S. dollar terms, which helps pay for our expenses and allows us to hold a larger amount of bitcoin on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
At-the-Market Offering Programs and Proceeds: As of September 30, 2024, the Company has sold 34,785,661 shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $665.7 million, net of offering costs, pursuant to the 2024 ATM.
Liquidity and Capital Resources: Cash and cash equivalents, excluding restricted cash, totaled $164.3 million and the fair value of digital asset holdings was $1,710.2 million at September 30, 2024. The combined value of cash and cash equivalents, excluding restricted cash, and digital assets, as of September 30, 2024, was $1,874.5 million.
The Company expects to have sufficient liquidity, including cash on hand and access to public capital markets, to support ongoing operations in the next 12 months and beyond. The Company will continue to seek to fund its business activities, and especially its growth opportunities, through the public capital markets, primarily through periodic equity issuances using its at-the-market facilities.
The risks to the Company’s liquidity outlook would include events that materially diminish its access to capital markets and/or the value of its bitcoin holdings and production capabilities, including:
•Failure to effectively execute the Company’s growth strategies;
•Challenges in the bitcoin mining space and/or additional contagion events (such as the FTX collapse and subsequent bankruptcies of bitcoin mining companies in 2022 and 2023) which could damage the credibility of, and therefore, investor confidence in, companies engaged in the digital assets space, including MARA;
•Declines in bitcoin prices and/or production, as well as impacts from bitcoin halving events, which would impact both the value of the Company’s bitcoin holdings and its ongoing profitability;
•Significant increases in electricity costs if these cost increases were not accompanied by increases in the price of bitcoin, as this would also reduce profitability; and
•Deteriorating macroeconomic conditions, including the impacts of inflation and increased interest rates, as well as instability in the banking system.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS
The Company contracts with service providers for hosting its equipment and operational support in data centers where the Company’s equipment is deployed. Under these arrangements, the Company expects to pay at a minimum approximately (i) $48.2 million during the remainder of calendar year 2024, (ii) $350.8 million in total payments during the calendar years 2025 through 2027, and (iii) $5.7 million in total payments during the calendar year 2028. Under certain of these arrangements, the Company is required to pay variable pass-through power and service fees in addition to these estimated minimum amounts.
The Company has purchase agreements to purchase miners and other mining equipment for a total purchase price of $880.8 million. As of September 30, 2024, we have made installment payments totaling $557.1 million. We expect to make periodic payments in accordance with the payment schedule with the final payment expected to occur during 2025.
Assuming the remaining 2026 Notes are not converted into common stock, repurchased or redeemed prior to maturity, (i) remaining interest payments relating to the 2026 Notes will approximate $0.8 million through the remainder of the calendar year 2024, (ii) annual interest payments of approximately $3.3 million in each calendar year from 2025 through 2026, and (iii) principal in the amount of $330.7 million upon the maturity in November 2026, will be payable under the 2026 Notes. For the recently issued 2031 Notes, assuming the 2031 Notes are not converted into common stock repurchased or redeemed prior to maturity, (i) remaining interest payments related to the 2031 Notes will approximate $1.6 million through the remainder of the calendar year 2024, (ii) annual interest payments of approximately $6.4 million in each calendar year from 2025 to 2031, and (iii) principal in the amount of $300.0 million upon maturity in September 2031, will be payable under the 2031 Notes. Refer to Note 14 – Debt, for further information.
On October 15, 2024, the Company announced securing a $200.0 million line of credit, collateralized by a portion of the Company’s bitcoin holdings. The Company plan to use the funds to capitalize on strategic opportunities and for other general corporate purposes. As of October 17, 2024, the facility was fully utilized.
On October 16, 2024, the Company filed a renewed motion for judgement as a matter of law (or in the alternative for a new trial and remittitur), which, based on applicable law, seeks to overturn, or at minimum significantly reduce, the damage award. Also on October 16, 2024, the Company filed and a motion to correct the judgement’s interest rate. Accordingly, the Company acquired a surety bond for the amount owing. Refer to Note 16 – Legal Proceedings in the notes to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report, for further information.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
The following accounting estimates relate to the significant areas involving management’s judgments and estimates in the preparation of the Company’s financial statements, and are those that it believes are the most critical to aid the understanding and evaluation of this management discussion and analysis:
•Long-lived assets
•Income taxes
•Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination
•Goodwill impairment
•Loss contingencies
Long-Lived Assets
The Company has long-lived assets that consist primarily of property and equipment stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and impairment, as applicable. The depreciation charge is calculated on a straight-line basis and depends on the estimated useful lives of each type of asset and, in certain circumstances, estimates of fair values and residual values. The Company’s property and equipment is primarily composed of digital asset mining rigs, which are largely homogeneous and have approximately the same useful lives. Accordingly, the Company utilizes the group method of depreciation for its digital asset mining rigs. The Company updates the estimated useful lives of its asset group of digital asset mining rigs periodically as information on the operations of the mining rigs indicate changes are required. The Company assesses and adjusts the estimated useful lives of its mining rigs when there are indicators that the productivity of the mining assets is higher or lower than the assigned estimated useful lives.
Management reviews the Company’s long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset (asset group) may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of their carrying amount to the undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated thereby. If such assets are not recoverable based on that test, impairment is recorded in the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds their fair value as determined in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 820.
Income Taxes
The primary objectives of accounting for income taxes are to recognize the amount of income taxes payable or refundable for the current year, and to recognize deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements or tax returns. The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740 - Income Taxes, using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are calculated based on enacted tax rates and are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and for operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in operations in the period that includes the enactment date. Management must make assumptions, judgments and estimates to determine the Company’s income tax benefit or expense and deferred tax assets and liabilities. The Company recognizes tax positions when they are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized tax positions are measured at the largest amount of benefit greater than 50% likely of being realized. Each period, the Company evaluates tax positions and adjusts related tax assets and liabilities in light of changing facts and circumstances.
Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed in a Business Combination
The Company accounts for business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805 - Business Combinations, by recognizing the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, measured at the acquisition date fair value. The determination of fair value involves assumptions, estimates and judgments. Any purchase consideration in excess of the estimated fair values of net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill.
Goodwill Impairment
Goodwill is not subject to amortization, and instead, assessed for impairment annually, or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount in accordance with ASC 350.
Loss Contingencies
In the ordinary course of business, the Company may be involved in legal proceedings, claims and governmental and/or regulatory reviews. Management periodically reviews estimates of potential costs to be incurred by the Company in connection with the adjudication or settlement, if any, of these matters. These estimates are developed, as applicable in consultation with outside counsel, and are based on an analysis of potential outcomes. In accordance with ASC 450, Contingencies, loss contingencies are accrued if, in the opinion of management, an adverse outcome is probable and such financial outcome can be reasonably estimated. The accruals may change in the future due to new developments in each matter or changes in our litigation strategy. It is possible that future results for any particular quarter or annual period may be materially affected by changes in our estimates or outcomes relating to these matters.
Given the uncertain nature of litigation generally, we are not able in all cases to estimate the amount or range of loss that could result from an unfavorable outcome of the litigation to which we are a party. In view of these uncertainties, we could incur charges in excess of any currently established accruals and, to the extent available, liability insurance. In the opinion of management, any such future charges, individually or in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition and/or consolidated cash flows. From time to time, we may challenge unfavorable outcomes and obtain surety bonds in connection therewith, and our exposure under such surety bonds will depend on the outcome of our challenge. We have in the past used, and may in the future use, borrowings under our master lending agreements or other financing sources to post such surety bonds, collateralized by bitcoin. If the price of bitcoin drops substantially, we may face a margin call on our borrowings under the master lending agreements, which would require us to provide additional collateral to avoid liquidation by lenders of pledged bitcoin to cover amounts owing.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
See Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of recent accounting standards and pronouncements.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The following discussion about our market risk exposures involves forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.
Market Price Risk of Bitcoin. We hold a significant amount of bitcoin, and as such, we are exposed to the impact of market price changes in bitcoin on its bitcoin holdings. This exposure would generally manifest itself in the following areas:
•Declines in the fair market value of bitcoin will impact the cash value that would be realized if we were to sell our bitcoin for cash, therefore having a negative impact on our liquidity.
•We occasionally enter into derivative financial instruments to manage our exposure resulting from fluctuations in the price of bitcoin.
At September 30, 2024, we held approximately 26,747 bitcoin and the fair value of a single bitcoin was approximately $63,301, meaning that the fair value of our bitcoin holdings on that date was approximately $1,693.1 million.
The Company’s management, with the participation of its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and that information required to be disclosed in the reports the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that its disclosure controls and procedures were not effective at the reasonable assurance level as of September 30, 2024 due to a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting as described below.
Material Weaknesses in Internal Control and Plan for Remediation
Based on its evaluation, management previously identified a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting that remained open as of year-end. The material weakness included:
•A material weakness related to the ineffective design or implementation of information technology general controls or an alternative key manual control to prevent or detect material misstatements in revenue.
The material weaknesses associated with the design and implementation of the manual control over revenue recognition did not result in a material misstatement to the Company’s previously issued Consolidated Financial Statements, nor in the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report.
Remediation
The Company’s Board of Directors and management take internal control over financial reporting and the integrity of its financial statements seriously. Management continues to work to improve its controls related to the material weaknesses described above. Management will continue to implement measures to remediate the material weaknesses, such that these controls are designed, implemented, and operating effectively. In order to achieve the timely implementation of the above, management has commenced the following actions and will continue to assess additional opportunities for remediation on an ongoing basis:
•Continue to utilize external third-party audit and implementation firms under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“SOX”) to enable the Company to improve the Company’s controls related to its material weaknesses; and
•Continue to evaluate existing processes and implement new processes and controls where necessary in connection with remediating the Company’s material weaknesses, such that these controls are designed, implemented, and operating effectively.
•Continue to work and guide our vendors in the industry that are not accustomed to the requirements of SOX to enhance and progress the industry forward to be fully compliant with SOX.
The Company recognizes that the material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting will not be considered remediated until the remediated controls operate for a sufficient period of time and can be tested and concluded by management to be designed and operating effectively. Because the Company’s remediation efforts are ongoing, it cannot provide any assurance that these remediation efforts will be successful or that its internal control over financial reporting will be effective as a result of these efforts.
The Company continues to evaluate and work to improve its internal control over financial reporting related to the identified material weaknesses, and management may determine to take additional measures to address control deficiencies or determine to modify the remediation plan described above. In addition, the Company will report the progress and status of the above remediation efforts to the Audit Committee on a periodic basis.
As part of the Company’s ongoing program to implement changes and further improve its internal controls and in conjunction with is Code of Ethics, the Company’s independent directors have been working with management to include protocols and measures aimed at ensuring quality of its internal controls. Among those measures is the
implementation of a whistle blower hotline, which allows third parties to anonymously report noncompliant activity. The hotline may be accessed as follows:
To file a report, use the Client Code “MarathonPG” and pick one of the following options:
•Call: 1-877-647-3335
•Click: http://www.RedFlagReporting.com
Change in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended September 30, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal controls over financial reporting other than the ongoing remediation efforts undertaken by management.
Other than as disclosed in Note 16 - Legal Proceedings in the notes to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report, we are presently not a party to any material litigation or regulatory proceeding and are not aware of any pending or threatened litigation or regulatory proceeding against us which, individually or in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, financial condition or cash flows.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Other than the additional risk factors herein, we are not aware of any additional material changes to the risk factors set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item 1A of our Annual Report, which are incorporated herein by reference. The risks described in our Annual Report are not the only ones we face. Additional risks that we currently do not know about or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also impair our business, financial condition, operating results, liquidity, and future prospects.
We may experience liquidity constraints and need to raise additional capital. We may be unable to raise the additional capital needed to fund our operations and growth initiatives in a timely manner or at all.
Liquidity risk is the risk that we will not be able to meet our financial obligations as they fall due. We have a planning and budgeting process to help determine the funds required to support our normal spending requirements on an ongoing basis and our growth plans. We currently settle our financial obligations out of cash and cash equivalents, including net proceeds from sales of common stock under the 2024 ATM. On October 15, 2024, we entered into master lending agreements with a consortium of lenders, securing an aggregate $200.0 million line of credit, which we may draw on upon posting digital asset collateral. However, the master lending agreements are uncommitted, and there is no certainty that market conditions will allow us to access the master lending agreements on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Further, if the price of bitcoin drops substantially, we may face a margin call on our borrowings under the master lending agreements, which would require us to provide additional collateral to avoid liquidation by lenders of pledged bitcoin to cover amounts owing.
If the price of bitcoin declines, and as we expect to need to raise additional capital to expand our operations and pursue our growth strategy, and to respond to competitive pressures or unanticipated working capital requirements, we may seek but fail to obtain additional debt or equity financing on favorable terms, if at all, which could impair our growth and adversely affect our existing operations. If we were to obtain additional equity financing, our stockholders may experience significant dilution of their ownership interest, and the value of their investment could decline. Furthermore, if we were to obtain additional debt financing, our debtors likely would have priority over holders of equity with respect to order of payment preference. We may be required to accept terms that restrict our ability to incur additional indebtedness or take other actions, including terms that require us to maintain a specified level of liquidity or other balance sheet ratios that may not be in the interests of our stockholders.
Regulatory changes or actions may restrict the use of digital assets or the operation of the Bitcoin network in a manner that adversely affects an investment in our securities.
Until recently, little regulatory attention was directed toward digital assets and the Bitcoin network by U.S. federal and state governments, foreign governments and self-regulatory agencies. As digital assets have grown in popularity and in market size, the Federal Reserve Board, U.S. Congress and certain U.S. agencies (e.g., the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the SEC, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and the Federal Bureau of Investigation) have begun to examine the operations of the Bitcoin network, digital asset users and the digital asset exchange market. Many of these entities have called for heightened regulatory oversight. As the regulatory and legal environment evolves, including as a result of the 2024 U.S. presidential and congressional elections, our business and industry, and the price of digital assets, may be adversely affected.
Digital assets currently face an uncertain regulatory landscape in not only the United States but also in many foreign jurisdictions such as the European Union, China and Russia. While certain governments such as Germany, where the Ministry of Finance has declared bitcoin to be “Rechnungseinheiten” (a form of private money that is recognized as a unit of account, but not recognized in the same manner as fiat currency), have issued guidance as to how to treat bitcoin, most regulatory bodies have not yet issued official statements regarding intention to regulate or determinations on regulation of digital assets, the Bitcoin network and digital asset users. The effect of any future regulatory change on us, bitcoin, or other digital assets is impossible to predict, but could be substantial and adverse to us and could adversely affect an investment in our securities.
Furthermore, one or more countries such as China and Russia may take regulatory actions in the future that severely restricts the right to acquire, own, hold, sell or use digital assets or to exchange digital assets for fiat currency. Such an action may also result in the restriction of ownership, holding or trading in our securities.
Exercise or conversion of warrants and other convertible securities, along with new issuances of our common stock, will dilute our stockholders’ percentage of ownership.
We have issued convertible securities, options and warrants to purchase shares of our common stock to our officers, directors, consultants and certain stockholders. In the future, we may grant additional options, warrants and convertible securities. The exercise, conversion or exchange of options, warrants or convertible securities, including for other securities, will dilute the percentage ownership of our stockholders. The dilutive effect of the exercise or conversion of these securities may adversely affect our ability to obtain additional capital. The holders of these securities may be expected to exercise or convert such options, warrants and convertible securities at a time when it would be able to obtain additional equity capital on terms more favorable than such securities or when our common stock is trading at a price higher than the exercise or conversion price of the securities. The exercise or conversion of outstanding warrants, options and convertible securities will have a dilutive effect on the securities held by our stockholders. We have in the past, and may in the future, exchange outstanding securities for other securities on terms that are dilutive to the securities held by other stockholders not participating in such exchange.
Additionally, our stockholders have experienced and will continue to experience dilution due to the issuance of our common stock through at-the-market offerings. Dilution could intensify as a result of our strategy to hold all of the bitcoin on our balance sheet, which may necessitate increased issuances through at-the-market offerings to fund our operations.
Our digital asset lending arrangements expose us to risks of nonrepayment by borrowers and operational and cybersecurity failures.
From time to time, we may generate income from digital asset lending arrangements. Lending digital assets involves risk of default, particularly in a highly volatile market. Borrowers may fail to repay their loans due to market downturns, fraud or other financial challenges. As our digital asset loans are unsecured, they would rank subordinate to a borrower’s secured loans if the borrower becomes insolvent, which could result in substantial financial losses.
Additionally, digital asset lending platforms are susceptible to operational and cybersecurity risks. Technical failures, software bugs and system outages can disrupt lending activities or cause transaction errors. Cybersecurity breaches and attacks could result in the loss or theft of our loaned digital assets, leading to significant financial damage.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Period
Total Number of Shares Repurchased
Average Price Paid Per Share (1)
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
July 1, 2024 through July 31, 2024
54,661
$
22.56
—
—
August 1, 2024 through August 31, 2024
193,467
19.19
—
—
September 1, 2024 through September 30, 2024
58,216
15.56
—
—
Total
306,344
$
19.10
—
$
—
(1)The average price paid for shares in connection with vesting of restricted stock units are averages of the closing stock price at the vesting date, which is used to calculate the number of shares withheld.
Director and Officer Trading Plans and Arrangements
During the three months ended September 30, 2024, none of the Company’s directors or Section 16 officers adopted, modified, or terminated any contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of securities of the Company intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Exchange Act or any “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as defined in Item 408(c) of Regulation S-K.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
The following exhibits are filed as part of this Quarterly Report.
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
X
*
This certification is not deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Such certification will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the registrant specifically incorporates it by reference.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.