Bitfarms Enters into 10,000 Miner Hosting Agreement with Stronghold Digital Mining

Rhea-AI Summary

Bitfarms (NASDAQ/TSX: BITF) has entered into a miner hosting agreement with Stronghold Digital Mining Hosting, , a subsidiary of Stronghold Digital Mining, Inc. (NASDAQ: SDIG). The agreement involves accelerating the deployment of 10,000 Bitmain T21 miners to Stronghold's Panther Creek site in Pennsylvania, bringing 2.2 EH/s online in October 2024, two months ahead of schedule. This strategic move aims to optimize assets and control power costs, Bitfarms' top expense. The agreement runs until December 31, 2025, with automatic one-year renewals. Bitfarms will pay Stronghold 50% of the profit generated by the miners, subject to adjustments. Bitfarms also deposited $7.8 million with Stronghold as a refundable power cost estimate.

Positive

• Accelerated deployment of 10,000 Bitmain T21 miners, bringing 2.2 EH/s online two months ahead of schedule
• Strategic move to optimize assets and control power costs
• Potential for multi-year expansion and access to energy trading opportunities at Stronghold's Pennsylvania sites
• Reaffirmation of 2024 and 2025 guidance of 21 EH/s and 35+ EH/s, respectively

Negative

• Upfront monthly payment of $210,000 due from Bitfarms to Stronghold
• $7.8 million deposit required for estimated power costs

Financial Analyst

This hosting agreement marks a strategic move for Bitfarms, potentially improving their operational efficiency and cost structure. The accelerated deployment of 10,000 Bitmain T21 miners will bring 2.2 EH/s online two months earlier than planned, which could lead to increased revenue generation in Q4 2024. The profit-sharing model (50% of profits) aligns interests but may impact margins. The $7.8 million deposit for power costs represents a significant cash outlay, potentially affecting short-term liquidity. However, the refundable nature mitigates long-term financial risk. Investors should monitor how this agreement impacts Bitfarms' cash flow and profitability in the coming quarters.

Tech Expert

The deployment of 10,000 Bitmain T21 miners represents a significant boost to Bitfarms' computational power. The T21 is among the most efficient Bitcoin mining ASICs, which should help maintain competitiveness in the increasingly challenging mining landscape. The 2.2 EH/s increase is substantial, potentially improving Bitfarms' market share in global Bitcoin mining. The partnership with Stronghold also opens doors to energy trading opportunities and HPC/AI applications, indicating a strategic pivot towards diversification. This move could help Bitfarms hedge against Bitcoin price volatility and explore new revenue streams in the rapidly growing AI sector, potentially enhancing long-term value for shareholders.

Market Research Analyst

This agreement signals Bitfarms' proactive approach to addressing key industry challenges. By partnering with Stronghold, Bitfarms gains access to competitive power costs and expansion potential in Pennsylvania, important factors in the energy-intensive Bitcoin mining industry. The move to accelerate deployment and diversify beyond Bitcoin mining aligns with market trends, as miners seek to optimize operations and explore new revenue sources. The potential acquisition of Stronghold could further strengthen Bitfarms' market position. However, investors should be cautious of integration risks and monitor the execution of this strategy. The company's reiteration of its 2024 and 2025 hashrate targets (21 EH/s and 35+ EH/s) demonstrates confidence in its growth trajectory amidst a competitive landscape.

- Agreement to support 2.2 EH/s with energization expected in October, two months ahead of schedule -

- Company reiterates 2024 & 2025 guidance of 21 EH/s & 35+ EH/s, respectively -

TORONTO, Ontario and BROSSARD, Québec, Sept. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bitfarms Ltd. (NASDAQ/TSX: BITF) ("Bitfarms" or the "Company"), a global leader in vertically integrated Bitcoin data center operations, has entered into a miner hosting agreement (the "Hosting Agreement") with Stronghold Digital Mining Hosting, LLC, a subsidiary of Stronghold Digital Mining, Inc. (NASDAQ: SDIG) (“Stronghold”) at Stronghold’s Panther Creek site in Pennsylvania.

Under the terms of the Hosting Agreement, Bitfarms will be accelerating the deployment of 10,000 Bitmain T21 miners, originally scheduled to come online at the Company’s Yguazu, Paraguay site in December 2024, to Stronghold’s Panther Creek site. Energization is anticipated in October 2024 and will bring 2.2 EH/s online immediately.

“This Hosting Agreement represents an important milestone in our efforts to further optimize our assets and take greater control over our top cost element, the cost of power,” stated Ben Gagnon, Chief Executive Officer. “The opportunity to vertically integrate our operations with Stronghold’s existing power generation infrastructure provides a robust pathway to continued, profitable growth. Further, Stronghold’s Pennsylvania sites have substantial multi-year expansion potential and provide access to energy trading opportunities, competitive power costs, and HPC/AI. We look forward to completing our acquisition of Stronghold and accelerating our strategy to diversify beyond Bitcoin mining to create greater long-term shareholder value.”

The Hosting Agreement will commence on October 1, 2024, and continue for an initial term expiring on December 31, 2025, after which it will automatically renew for additional one-year periods unless either party provides written notice of non-renewal. Pursuant to the Hosting Agreement, Bitfarms will pay Stronghold a monthly fee equal to fifty percent of the profit generated by the Bitfarms miners, subject to certain monthly adjustments between the parties to account for the upfront monthly payment due from Bitfarms to Stronghold in the amount of $210,000 and for taxes and the net cost of power associated with the operation of the Bitfarms miners. In connection with the execution of the Hosting Agreement, Bitfarms also deposited with Stronghold $7.8 million, equal to the estimated cost of power for three months of operations of the Bitfarms miners, which will be refundable in full to Bitfarms within one business day of the end of the initial term expiring on December 31, 2025.

About Bitfarms
Founded in 2017, Bitfarms is a global vertically integrated Bitcoin data center company that contributes its computational power to one or more mining pools from which it receives payment in Bitcoin. Bitfarms develops, owns, and operates vertically integrated mining facilities with in-house management and company-owned electrical engineering, installation service, and multiple onsite technical repair centers. The Company’s proprietary data analytics system delivers best-in-class operational performance and uptime.

Bitfarms currently has 12 operating Bitcoin data centers and two under development situated in four countries: Canada, the United States, Paraguay, and Argentina. Powered predominantly by environmentally friendly hydro-electric and long-term power contracts, Bitfarms is committed to using sustainable and often underutilized energy infrastructure.

To learn more about Bitfarms’ events, developments, and online communities:

www.bitfarms.com
https://www.facebook.com/bitfarms/
https://twitter.com/Bitfarms_io
https://www.instagram.com/bitfarms/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bitfarms/

Glossary of Terms

• HPC = High-performance computing
• AI = Artificial intelligence
• EH or EH/s = Exahash or exahash per second

Cautionary Statement
Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange, Nasdaq, or any other securities exchange or regulatory authority accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains certain “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “forward-looking information”) that are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release and are covered by safe harbors under Canadian and United States securities laws. The statements and information in this release regarding the impact of the Hosting Agreement, projected growth, target hashrate, opportunities relating to the Company’s geographical diversification and expansion, upgrading and deployment of miners as well as the timing therefor, closing of the Stronghold acquisition on a timely basis and on the terms as announced, the ability to integrate and successfully operate the Sharon mega-site with access to up to 120 MW, entering into a definitive lease agreement and receiving regulatory approvals in respect of the letter of intent for a lease to an additional 10 MW site in Sharon, the benefits of the Stronghold acquisition and the other Sharon lease transactions (collectively, the “Sharon Acquisitions”), the ability to gain access to additional electrical power and grow hashrate of the Stronghold business and the Sharon Acquisitions, performance of the plants and equipment upgrades and the impact on operating capacity including the target hashrate and multi-year expansion capacity, the opportunities to leverage Bitfarms’ proven expertise to successfully enhance energy efficiency and hashrate, the benefits of the growth strategy including to merge HPC / AI with Bitcoin mining operations, and other statements regarding future growth, plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking information.

Any statements that involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as “expects”, or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “forecasts”, “estimates”, “prospects”, “believes” or “intends” or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results “may” or “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information.

This forward-looking information is based on assumptions and estimates of management of Bitfarms at the time they were made, and involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Bitfarms to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, risks relating to: receipt of the approval of the shareholders of Stronghold and the Toronto Stock Exchange for the Stronghold acquisition as well as other applicable regulatory approvals; that the Stronghold acquisition may not close within the timeframe anticipated or at all or may not close on the terms and conditions currently anticipated by the parties for a number of reasons including, without limitation, as a result of a failure to satisfy the conditions to closing of the Stronghold acquisition; a letter of intent on an additional 10 MW site is subject to entering into a definitive lease agreement and TSX approval, none of which is assured; the power purchase agreements and economics thereof may not be as advantageous as expected; the inability of Bitfarms to operate the plants as anticipated following consummation of the Sharon Acquisitions; the construction and operation of new facilities may not occur as currently planned, or at all; expansion of existing facilities may not materialize as currently anticipated, or at all; new miners may not perform up to expectations; revenue may not increase as currently anticipated, or at all; the ongoing ability to successfully mine digital currency is not assured; failure of the equipment upgrades to be installed and operated as planned; the availability of additional power may not occur as currently planned, or at all; expansion may not materialize as currently anticipated, or at all; the power purchase agreements and economics thereof may not be as advantageous as expected; potential environmental cost and regulatory penalties due to the operation of the Stronghold plants which entail environmental risk and certain additional risk factors particular to the business of Stronghold including, land reclamation requirements may be burdensome and expensive, changes in tax credits related to coal refuse power generation could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations and future development efforts, competition in power markets may have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, cash flows and the market value of the assets, the business is subject to substantial energy regulation and may be adversely affected by legislative or regulatory changes, as well as liability under, or any future inability to comply with, existing or future energy regulations or requirements, the operations are subject to a number of risks arising out of the threat of climate change, and environmental laws, energy transitions policies and initiatives and regulations relating to emissions and coal residue management, which could result in increased operating and capital costs and reduce the extent of business activities, operation of power generation facilities involves significant risks and hazards customary to the power industry that could have a material adverse effect on our revenues and results of operations, and there may not have adequate insurance to cover these risks and hazards, employees, contractors, customers and the general public may be exposed to a risk of injury due to the nature of the operations, limited experience with carbon capture programs and initiatives and dependence on third-parties, including consultants, contractors and suppliers to develop and advance carbon capture programs and initiatives, and failure to properly manage these relationships, or the failure of these consultants, contractors and suppliers to perform as expected, could have a material adverse effect on the business, prospects or operations; the digital currency market; the ability to successfully mine digital currency; revenue may not increase as currently anticipated, or at all; it may not be possible to profitably liquidate the current digital currency inventory, or at all; a decline in digital currency prices may have a significant negative impact on operations; an increase in network difficulty may have a significant negative impact on operations; the volatility of digital currency prices; the anticipated growth and sustainability of hydroelectricity for the purposes of cryptocurrency mining in the applicable jurisdictions; the inability to maintain reliable and economical sources of power to operate cryptocurrency mining assets; the risks of an increase in electricity costs, cost of natural gas, changes in currency exchange rates, energy curtailment or regulatory changes in the energy regimes in the jurisdictions in which Bitfarms and Stronghold operate and the potential adverse impact on profitability; future capital needs and the ability to complete current and future financings, including Bitfarms’ ability to utilize an at-the-market offering program ( “ATM Program”) and the prices at which securities may be sold in such ATM Program, as well as capital market conditions in general; share dilution resulting from an ATM Program and from other equity issuances; volatile securities markets impacting security pricing unrelated to operating performance; the risk that a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting could result in a misstatement of financial position that may lead to a material misstatement of the annual or interim consolidated financial statements if not prevented or detected on a timely basis; historical prices of digital currencies and the ability to mine digital currencies that will be consistent with historical prices; and the adoption or expansion of any regulation or law that will prevent Bitfarms from operating its business, or make it more costly to do so. For further information concerning these and other risks and uncertainties, refer to Bitfarms’ filings on www.sedarplus.ca (which are also available on the website of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC") at www.sec.gov), including the MD&A for the year-ended December 31, 2023, filed on March 7, 2024 and the MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 filed on August 8, 2024. Although Bitfarms has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, including factors that are currently unknown to or deemed immaterial by Bitfarms. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results, and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Bitfarms does not undertake any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking information other than as required by law.

Additional Information about the Merger and Where to Find It

This communication relates to a proposed merger between Stronghold and Bitfarms. In connection with the proposed merger, Bitfarms intends to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-4, which will include a proxy statement of Stronghold that also constitutes a prospectus of Bitfarms. After the registration statement is declared effective, Stronghold will mail the proxy statement/prospectus to its shareholders. This communication is not a substitute for the registration statement, the proxy statement/prospectus or any other relevant documents Bitfarms and Stronghold has filed or will file with the SEC. Investors are urged to read the proxy statement/prospectus (including all amendments and supplements thereto) and other relevant documents filed with the SEC carefully and in their entirety if and when they become available because they will contain important information about the proposed merger and related matters.

Investors may obtain free copies of the registration statement, the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents filed by Bitfarms and Stronghold with the SEC, when they become available, through the website maintained by the SEC at www sec.gov. Copies of the documents may also be obtained for free from Bitfarms by contacting Bitfarms' Investor Relations Department at investors@bitfarms.com and from Stronghold by contacting Stronghold's Investor Relations Department at SDIG@gateway-grp.com.

No Offer or Solicitation
This communication is not intended to and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, sell or solicit any securities or any proxy, vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be deemed to be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Participants in Solicitation Relating to the Merger
Bitfarms, Stronghold, their respective directors and certain of their respective executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Stronghold's shareholders in respect of the proposed merger. Information regarding Bitfarms’ directors and executive officers can be found in Bitfarms’ annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed on March 7, 2024, as well as its other filings with the SEC. Information regarding Stronghold’s directors and executive officers can be found in Stronghold’s proxy statement for its 2024 annual meeting of stockholders, filed with the SEC on April 29, 2024, and supplemented on June 7, 2024, and in its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on March 8, 2024. This communication may be deemed to be solicitation material in respect of the proposed merger. Additional information regarding the interests of such potential participants, including their respective interests by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed merger if and when they become available. These documents are available free of charge on the SEC’s website and from Bitfarms and Stronghold using the sources indicated above.

Investor Relations Contacts:
Bitfarms
Tracy Krumme
SVP, Head of IR & Corp. Comms.
+1 786-671-5638
tkrumme@bitfarms.com

Innisfree M&A Incorporated
Gabrielle Wolf / Scott Winter
+1 212-750-5833

Laurel Hill Advisory Group
1-877-452-7184
416-304-0211
assistance@laurelhill.com

Media Contacts:
U.S.: Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
Dan Katcher or Joseph Sala
+1 212-355-4449

Québec: Tact
Louis-Martin Leclerc
+1 418-693-2425
lmleclerc@tactconseil.ca

FAQ

What is the capacity of the new miner hosting agreement between Bitfarms and Stronghold?

The miner hosting agreement between Bitfarms (BITF) and Stronghold involves 10,000 Bitmain T21 miners, which will bring 2.2 EH/s of mining capacity online.

When is the expected energization date for Bitfarms' new miners at Stronghold's site?

The energization of Bitfarms' (BITF) new miners at Stronghold's Panther Creek site in Pennsylvania is anticipated in October 2024, two months ahead of the original schedule.

What is Bitfarms' hashrate guidance for 2024 and 2025?

Bitfarms (BITF) reiterates its hashrate guidance of 21 EH/s for 2024 and 35+ EH/s for 2025.

How long is the initial term of the hosting agreement between Bitfarms and Stronghold?

The initial term of the hosting agreement between Bitfarms (BITF) and Stronghold expires on December 31, 2025, after which it will automatically renew for additional one-year periods unless terminated.