MARA Holdings, Inc. Announces Pricing of Oversubscribed and Upsized Offering of Zero-Coupon Convertible Senior Notes due 2031

Rhea-AI Summary

MARA Holdings has announced the pricing of $850 million in zero-coupon convertible senior notes due 2031, with an option for purchasers to buy an additional $150 million. The notes, convertible into cash, MARA common stock, or a combination, have an initial conversion rate of 28.9159 shares per $1,000 principal amount, equivalent to $34.5831 per share. The company expects $835.1 million in net proceeds, planning to use $48 million to repurchase existing 2026 convertible notes and the remainder for bitcoin acquisition and general corporate purposes. The offering is expected to close on December 4, 2024.

Positive

• Successful upsized offering of $850 million in convertible notes
• Additional $150 million option granted to initial purchasers
• Zero-coupon notes structure eliminates regular interest payments
• 40% premium on initial conversion price compared to current stock price

Negative

• Potential dilution for existing shareholders upon conversion
• Increased debt obligation with $850 million in new notes
• Company taking on additional financial obligations while retiring existing debt

Insights

Financial Analyst

This $850 million convertible note offering represents a significant capital raise for MARA, with an additional $150 million option available to purchasers. The zero-coupon structure and 40% conversion premium indicate strong investor confidence. The company plans to use $48 million to repurchase existing debt, with the majority allocated to bitcoin acquisition - a strategic move that could strengthen their digital asset portfolio.

The $34.58 conversion price sets a bullish long-term target, while the 2031 maturity provides substantial operational flexibility. The repurchase options in 2027 and 2029 offer noteholders protection, balancing MARA's financing needs with investor security. This deal effectively refinances shorter-term debt while providing significant capital for growth, though it does introduce potential future dilution if converted.

Cryptocurrency Market Analyst

The strategic decision to allocate most proceeds to bitcoin acquisition signals MARA's bullish outlook on cryptocurrency markets. This move could significantly expand their bitcoin holdings during a period of increasing institutional adoption and potential spot ETF approvals. The timing aligns with broader market sentiment shifts toward digital assets.

The zero-coupon structure minimizes immediate cash obligations, allowing MARA to focus capital on asset accumulation rather than interest payments. However, investors should note that this strategy amplifies MARA's exposure to bitcoin price volatility. The success of this capital deployment will largely depend on bitcoin's performance over the next several years.

Proceeds to be used primarily to acquire bitcoin and repurchase existing convertible notes due 2026

Fort Lauderdale, FL, Dec. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MARA Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: MARA) (“MARA” or the “Company”), a global leader in leveraging digital asset compute to support the energy transformation, today announced the pricing of its offering of $850 million aggregate principal amount of 0.00% convertible senior notes due 2031 (the “notes”). The notes will be sold in a private offering to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). MARA also granted to the initial purchasers of the notes an option to purchase, within a 13-day period beginning on, and including, the date on which the notes are first issued, up to an additional $150 million aggregate principal amount of the notes. The offering is expected to close on December 4, 2024, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

The notes will be unsecured, senior obligations of MARA. The notes will not bear regular interest, and the principal amount of the notes will not accrete. MARA may pay special interest, if any, at its election as the sole remedy for failure to comply with its reporting obligations and under certain other circumstances, each pursuant to the indenture. Special interest, if any, on the notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year, beginning on June 1, 2025 (if and to the extent that special interest is then payable on the notes). The notes will mature on June 1, 2031, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted in accordance with their terms. Subject to certain conditions, on or after June 5, 2029, MARA may redeem for cash all or any portion of the notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid special interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date, if the last reported sale price of MARA common stock has been at least 130% of the conversion price then in effect for a specified period of time ending on, and including, the trading day immediately before the date MARA provides the notice of redemption. If MARA redeems fewer than all the outstanding notes, at least $75 million aggregate principal amount of notes must be outstanding and not subject to redemption as of the relevant redemption notice date.

Holders of notes may require MARA to repurchase for cash all or any portion of their notes on June 4, 2027 and on June 4, 2029 or upon the occurrence of certain events that constitute a fundamental change under the indenture governing the notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid special interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of repurchase. In connection with certain corporate events or if MARA calls any note for redemption, it will, under certain circumstances, be required to increase the conversion rate for holders who elect to convert their notes in connection with such corporate event or notice of redemption.

The notes will be convertible into cash, shares of MARA’s common stock, or a combination of cash and shares of MARA’s common stock, at MARA’s election. Prior to March 1, 2031, the notes will be convertible only upon the occurrence of certain events and during certain periods, and thereafter, at any time until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date.

The conversion rate for the notes will initially be 28.9159 shares of MARA common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $34.5831 per share. The initial conversion price of the notes represents a premium of approximately 40.0% over the U.S. composite volume weighted average price of MARA’s common stock from 2:00 p.m. through 4:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Monday, December 2, 2024, which was $24.7022. The conversion rate will be subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events.

MARA estimates that the net proceeds from the sale of the notes will be approximately $835.1 million (or approximately $982.5 million if the initial purchasers exercise in full their option to purchase additional notes), after deducting the initial purchasers’ discounts and commissions but before estimated offering expenses payable by MARA.

MARA expects to use approximately $48 million of the net proceeds from the sale of the notes to repurchase approximately $51 million in aggregate principal amount of its existing convertible notes due 2026 (the “existing 2026 convertible notes”) in privately negotiated transactions with the remainder of the net proceeds to be used to acquire additional bitcoin and for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, strategic acquisitions, expansion of existing assets, and repayment of additional debt and other outstanding obligations.

In connection with any repurchase of the existing 2026 convertible notes, MARA expects that holders of the existing 2026 convertible notes who agree to have their notes repurchased and who have hedged their equity price risk with respect to such notes (the “hedged holders”) will unwind all or part of their hedge positions by buying MARA’s common stock and/or entering into or unwinding various derivative transactions with respect to MARA’s common stock. The amount of MARA’s common stock to be purchased by the hedged holders or in connection with such derivative transactions may be substantial in relation to the historic average daily trading volume of MARA’s common stock. This activity by the hedged holders could increase (or reduce the size of any decrease in) the market price of MARA’s common stock, including concurrently with the pricing of the notes, resulting in a higher effective conversion price of the notes. MARA cannot predict the magnitude of such market activity or the overall effect it will have on the price of the notes or MARA’s common stock.

The notes are being offered and sold to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The offer and sale of the notes and the shares of MARA’s common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes, if any, have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction, and the notes and any such shares may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. The offering of the notes is being made only by means of a private offering memorandum.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, the notes, nor shall there be any sale of the notes in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. Nothing in this press release shall be deemed an offer to purchase MARA’s existing 2026 convertible notes.

About MARA

MARA (NASDAQ:MARA) is a global leader in digital asset compute that develops and deploys innovative technologies to build a more sustainable and inclusive future. MARA secures the world’s preeminent blockchain ledger and supports the energy transformation by converting clean, stranded, or otherwise underutilized energy into economic value.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release about future expectations, plans, and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the estimated net proceeds of the offering, the anticipated use of such net proceeds, and the anticipated closing of the offering. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including uncertainties related to market conditions and the completion of the offering, uncertainties related to the satisfaction of closing conditions for the sale of the notes, the other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of MARA’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 28, 2024, as amended on May 24, 2024, the “Risk Factors” section of MARA’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 1, 2024, the “Risk Factors” section of MARA’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 12, 2024 and the risks described in other filings that MARA may make from time to time with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and MARA specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law.

MARA Company Contact:
Telephone: 800-804-1690
Email: ir@mara.com

FAQ

What is the size of MARA's new convertible notes offering?

MARA's new convertible notes offering is $850 million, with an additional $150 million option granted to initial purchasers.

What is the conversion price for MARA's 2031 convertible notes?

The initial conversion price is $34.5831 per share, representing a 40% premium over the weighted average price of $24.7022.

How will MARA use the proceeds from the 2031 convertible notes?

MARA will use $48 million to repurchase existing 2026 convertible notes, with the remainder for bitcoin acquisition and general corporate purposes.

When do MARA's new convertible notes mature?

The convertible notes will mature on June 1, 2031, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed, or converted.