Marathon Digital Plans $250 Million Note Sale
Marathon Digital Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:MARA)
Marathon Digital Holdings Inc. has announced plans to sell $250 million in convertible senior notes, with the proceeds earmarked for acquiring additional Bitcoin. This move aligns with a strategy similar to that of MicroStrategy Inc., which has been increasing its Bitcoin holdings over the years in anticipation of a rise in cryptocurrency prices.
Strategic Moves and Market Impact
Marathon Digita, the largest Bitcoin miner in the U.S., is among several public mining companies that have resumed accumulating Bitcoin following the April ‘halving’ event, which reduced mining revenue. In 2022, many miners had been liquidating their Bitcoin reserves to manage high energy costs and industry challenges. The ‘holding’ strategy, as it’s known in the crypto world, could enhance the market presence of public mining companies as leveraged proxies for Bitcoin prices and potentially boost their stock prices, according to Ethan Vera, Chief Operating Officer at Luxor Technology.
The issuance of convertible notes also introduces the risk of dilution for existing shareholders. On Monday, Marathon’s shares fell by up to 12% to $15, reflecting a 34% drop in stock value for the year, despite Bitcoin’s 40% gain over the same period. As of July 31, Marathon held 20,818 Bitcoin and had a total of $1.6 billion in cash and digital assets. The company reported a nearly $200 million net loss for the second quarter, primarily due to a writedown on its digital asset holdings.
The convertible notes, set to mature in 2031, will be offered in a private placement to institutional investors.
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