UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-Q
(Mark
One)
☒
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (D) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023
or
☐
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (D) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the transition period from _______to______
001-36555
(Commission File Number)
MARATHON
DIGITAL HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact
Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Nevada
01-0949984
(State
or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
(IRS
Employer
Identification No.)
101
NE Third Avenue , Suite 1200 , Fort Lauderdale , FL
33301
(Address
of principal executive offices)
(Zip
Code)
Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code: 702 - 945-2773
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title
of each class
Trading
Symbol(s)
Name
of each exchange on which registered
Common
Stock
MARA
The
Nasdaq Capital Market
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2)
has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule
405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company,
or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller
reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large
Accelerated Filer
☒
Accelerated
Filer
☐
Non-accelerated
Filer
☐
Smaller
Reporting Company
☐
Emerging
growth company
☐
If
an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate
the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 167,399,935
shares of common stock are issued and outstanding as of May 9, 2023.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Page
PART I. - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item
1.
Financial Statements
Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (unaudited)
3
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 (unaudited)
4
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 (unaudited)
5
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 (unaudited)
6
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
7
Item
2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
23
Item
3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
34
Item
4.
Controls and Procedures
34
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item
1.
Legal Proceedings
35
Item
1A
Risk Factors
37
Item
2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
37
Item
3.
Defaults upon Senior Securities
37
Item
4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
37
Item
5.
Other Information
38
Item
6.
Exhibits
38
OTHER
PERTINENT INFORMATION
Unless
specifically set forth to the contrary, “Marathon”, “we”, “us”, “our”, “Company”
and similar terms refer to Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc., a Nevada corporation, and its subsidiaries.
2
Item
1. Financial Statements
MARATHON
DIGITAL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
March 31,
December 31,
2023
2022
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
(unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 124,882
$ 103,705
Restricted cash
—
8,800
Digital assets
189,087
121,842
Other receivable
172
18
Deposits
11,927
2,350
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
60,240
40,833
Total current assets
386,308
277,548
Other assets:
Property and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $ 34,356 and $ 16,622 , respectively)
714,916
273,026
Advances to vendors
57,511
488,299
Investments
80,194
37,000
Long term deposits
54,450
40,903
Long term prepaids
9,373
8,317
Right-of-use assets
1,180
1,276
Digital assets, restricted
—
68,875
Total other assets
917,624
917,696
TOTAL ASSETS
$ 1,303,932
$ 1,195,244
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
$ 3,235
$ 1,312
Accrued expenses
17,756
22,295
Legal reserve payable
—
1,171
Operating lease liabilities
336
326
Current portion of accrued interest
2,492
1,011
Total current liabilities
23,819
26,115
Long-term liabilities:
Notes payable
733,260
732,289
Term loan
—
49,882
Operating lease liabilities
909
1,017
Deferred tax liabilities
75
—
Total long-term liabilities
734,244
783,188
Stockholders’ Equity:
Preferred stock, 0.0001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively
—
—
Common stock, 0.0001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized; 167,259,602 and 145,565,916 issued and outstanding at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively
17
15
Additional paid-in capital
1,393,428
1,226,267
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
—
—
Accumulated deficit
( 847,576 )
( 840,341 )
Total stockholders’ equity
545,869
385,941
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
$ 1,303,932
$ 1,195,244
The
accompanying notes are an integral part to these unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements.
3
MARATHON
DIGITAL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
2023
2022
March 31,
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
2023
2022
Total revenues
$ 51,132
$ 51,723
Costs and expenses
Cost of revenues
Cost of revenues - energy, hosting and other
( 33,377 )
( 12,522 )
Cost of revenues - depreciation and amortization
( 17,733 )
( 13,877 )
Total cost of revenues
( 51,110 )
( 26,399 )
Operating expenses
General and administrative expenses
( 15,344 )
( 15,515 )
Impairment of digital assets
( 6,151 )
( 17,647 )
Impairment of patents
—
( 919 )
Realized gains on digital assets and unrealized gains (losses) on digital assets loan receivable
17,615
( 461 )
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on digital assets held within Investment Fund
—
( 5,328 )
Total operating expenses
( 3,880 )
( 39,870 )
Operating loss
( 3,858 )
( 14,546 )
Other non-operating income
791
247
Loss from extinguishment of debt
( 333 )
—
Interest expense
( 3,760 )
( 2,814 )
Loss before income taxes
( 7,160 )
( 17,113 )
Income tax benefit (expense)
( 75 )
4,262
Net loss
$ ( 7,235 )
$ ( 12,851 )
Net loss per share, basic and diluted:
$ ( 0.05 )
$ ( 0.12 )
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted:
159,186,506
103,102,596
The
accompanying notes are an integral part to these unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements.
4
MARATHON
DIGITAL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(unaudited)
For
the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
Preferred Stock
Common Stock
Additional
Paid-in
Accumulated
Total
Stockholders’
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Number
Amount
Number
Amount
Capital
Deficit
Equity
Balance as of December 31, 2021
—
—
102,733,273
$ 10
$ 835,694
$ ( 153,603 )
$ 682,101
Stock-based compensation, net of tax withholding
—
—
118,796
—
9,275
—
9,275
Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs/At-the-market offering
—
—
2,999,644
1
90,193
—
90,194
Common stock issued for long term service contract
—
—
200,000
—
4,580
—
4,580
Net loss
—
—
—
—
—
( 12,851 )
( 12,851 )
Balance as of March 31, 2022
—
—
106,051,713
$ 11
$ 939,742
$ ( 166,454 )
$ 773,299
For
the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
Preferred Stock
Common Stock
Additional Paid-in
Accumulated
Total Stockholders’
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Number
Amount
Number
Amount
Capital
Deficit
Equity
Balance as of December 31, 2022
—
—
145,565,916
$ 15
$ 1,226,267
$ ( 840,341 )
$ 385,941
Balance
—
—
145,565,916
15
1,226,267
( 840,341 )
385,941
Stock-based compensation, net of tax withholding
—
—
336,511
—
3,868
—
3,868
Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs/At-the-market offering
—
—
21,357,175
2
163,293
—
163,295
Net loss
—
—
—
—
—
( 7,235 )
( 7,235 )
Balance as of March 31, 2023
—
—
167,259,602
$ 17
$ 1,393,428
$ ( 847,576 )
$ 545,869
Balance
—
—
167,259,602
17
1,393,428
( 847,576 )
545,869
The
accompanying notes are an integral part to these unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements.
5
MARATHON
DIGITAL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
2023
2022
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)
2023
2022
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss
$ ( 7,235 )
$ ( 12,851 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
17,733
13,877
Amortization of prepaid service contract
—
4,662
Deferred tax expense (benefit)
75
( 4,262 )
Realized and unrealized losses on digital assets held within Investment Fund
—
5,328
Realized (gains) on digital assets and unrealized losses on digital assets loan receivable
( 17,615 )
461
Impairment of digital assets
6,151
17,647
Stock-based compensation
3,945
9,275
Amortization of debt issuance costs
971
971
Impairment of patents
—
919
Loss from extinguishment of debt
333
—
Other adjustments from operations, net
1,290
( 366 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Digital assets:
Revenues from digital asset production
( 50,941 )
( 51,723 )
Proceeds from sale of digital assets
62,646
—
Deposits
( 23,124 )
( 6,287 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets
( 20,738 )
( 4,889 )
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
( 3,784 )
( 667 )
Accrued interest
1,481
1,843
Net cash used in operating activities
( 28,812 )
( 26,062 )
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Advances to vendors
( 11,565 )
( 192,391 )
Purchase of property and equipment
( 17,270 )
( 6,534 )
Investments in Joint Venture
( 43,194 )
—
Purchase of equity investments
—
( 10,500 )
Net cash used in investing activities
( 72,029 )
( 209,425 )
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs
163,295
85,473
Repayment of term loan borrowings
( 50,000 )
—
Value of shares withheld for taxes
( 77 )
—
Net cash provided by financing activities
113,218
85,473
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
12,377
( 150,014 )
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — beginning of period
112,505
268,556
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash — end of period
$ 124,882
$ 118,542
Supplemental Information
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest
$ 1,425
$ —
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Receivable due to share issuance
—
4,720
Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities
-
1,353
Reclassifications from advances to vendor to property and equipment upon receipt of equipment
442,353
64,405
Common stock issued for service and license agreements
—
4,580
The
accompanying notes are an integral part to these unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements.
6
MARATHON
DIGITAL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE
1 – ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
We
were incorporated in the State of Nevada on February 23, 2010 under the name Verve Ventures, Inc. In October 2012, we commenced our
IP licensing operations, at which time the Company’s name was changed to Marathon Patent Group, Inc. We purchased digital
asset mining machines and established a data center in Canada to mine digital assets in 2017. The Company ceased operating in Canada
in 2020 and relocated all owned mining rigs to the U.S. The Company has since expanded bitcoin mining activities across the U.S. and
internationally. The Company changed its name to Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc. on March 1, 2021. As of March 31, 2023, the Company
is solely focused on the mining of bitcoin and ancillary opportunities within the Bitcoin ecosystem.
Ancillary
businesses are those that relate to the Bitcoin ecosystem but may be above and beyond those directly related to the self-mining of bitcoin.
The ancillary businesses most closely related to mining of bitcoin may include, but will not be limited to, management of bitcoin mining
facilities for third party owners, advisory and consulting services to third parties seeking to set up and operate bitcoin mining
facilities and joint ventures for bitcoin mining projects in domestic and international jurisdictions such as our project in Abu Dhabi,
United Arab Emirates. We will also seek to be involved in Bitcoin related projects including, but not limited to, development of technologies
in immersion, hardware, firmware, mining pools and side chains that use the bitcoin blockchain. We will also seek to be involved in the
development of projects and technologies for generating electricity from renewable energy sources as well as methane gas capture to power
bitcoin mining projects.
The
term “Bitcoin” with a capital “B” is used to denote the Bitcoin protocol which implements a highly available,
public, permanent, and decentralized ledger. The term “bitcoin” with a lower case “b” is used to denote the token,
bitcoin.
NOTE
2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The
accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations
of the SEC. They include all adjustments that we consider necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented.
Such adjustments consisted only of normal recurring items unless otherwise disclosed. The consolidated condensed balance sheet was derived
from audited financial statements but does not include all footnote disclosures from the annual financial statements.
Basis
of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
These
financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on March 16, 2023.
The
accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned and controlled
subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The consolidated condensed financial statements
have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Certain information and disclosures normally included
in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S.
GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These consolidated condensed financial statements
reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) which, in the opinion of management, are necessary to present
fairly the financial position, the results of operations and cash flows of the Company for the periods presented. The results of operations
for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future fiscal periods in 2023 or for the
full year ended December 31, 2023.
Use
of Estimates and Assumptions
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements
and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant
estimates made by management include, but are not limited to, estimates of the useful lives of fixed assets, assumptions used to calculate
fair value of options granted, realization of long-lived assets, deferred income taxes, unrealized tax positions and realization of digital
assets.
7
Reclassifications
Certain
prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on
the reported financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. Previously reported depreciation and amortization expense has
now been reclassified to “Cost of revenues - depreciation and amortization.” Previously reported compensation and related
taxes, consulting fees, and professional fees have now been reclassified within “General and administrative expenses.” In
addition, previously reported interest income has now been reclassified to “Other non-operating income.”
Cash
and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
The
Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments and other short-term investments with maturity of three months or less, when purchased,
to be cash equivalents. The Company maintains cash and cash equivalent balances at financial institutions that are insured by the FDIC.
As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company’s bank balances with its primary cash management institutions exceeded
the FDIC limit ($ 250 thousand). In March 2023, the Company began to participate, to the extent practicable, in deposit programs
which “sweep” its deposits across multiple FDIC insured accounts, each with deposits of no more than $ 250 thousand.
Restricted
cash principally represented those cash balances that support commercial letters of credit and are restricted from withdrawal. The following
table provides a reconciliation of the total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported on the consolidated condensed balance
sheet to the corresponding amounts reported on the consolidated condensed statements of cash flows.
SCHEDULE
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH
March 31,
December 31,
(in thousands)
2023
2022
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 124,882
$ 103,705
Restricted cash
—
8,800
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
$ 124,882
$ 112,505
Digital
assets and Digital assets, restricted
Digital
assets are included in current and other assets in the consolidated condensed balance sheet. Digital assets are accounted for as indefinite-lived
intangible assets, and are initially measured in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 350
– Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”). Digital assets, restricted represent collateral for long-term
loans and as such are classified as a non-current asset.
These
digital assets are not amortized, but are assessed for impairment annually, or more frequently, when events or changes in circumstances
occur indicating that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. Whenever the exchange-traded
price of digital assets declines below its carrying value, the Company has determined that an impairment exists and records impairment
equal to the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value.
The
following table presents the activities of the digital assets and digital assets, restricted for the three months ended March 31, 2023:
SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES OF DIGITAL CURRENCIES
(in thousands)
Digital assets and digital assets, restricted at December 31, 2022
$ 190,717
Revenues from digital asset production
50,941
Impairment of digital assets
( 6,151 )
Proceeds from sale of digital assets
( 62,646 )
Gain on sale of digital assets
17,615
Payment of advisory fee
( 1,389 )
Digital assets and digital assets, restricted at March 31, 2023
$ 189,087
As
of March 31, 2023, the Company held approximately 11,466 bitcoin, classified on the consolidated condensed balance sheet as “Digital
assets”, with a carrying value of $ 189,087 thousand. At March 31, 2023, the fair market value of the Company’s bitcoin holdings
was approximately $ 326,487 thousand based on Level 1 inputs. Impairment of digital assets for the three months ended March 31, 2023 includes
an out of period adjustment of $ 1,221 thousand (refer to NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - OUT OF PERIOD ADJUSTMENTS ,
for further discussion). As of December 31, 2022, the Company held approximately 12,232 bitcoin, relating to digital assets and digital
assets, restricted, with a carrying value of $ 190,717 thousand and a fair value of $ 202,409 thousand based on Level 1 inputs.
8
Digital
assets held in fund
On
January 25, 2021, the Company entered into a limited partnership agreement with NYDIG Digital Assets Fund III, LP (the “Fund”)
pursuant to which the Fund purchased 4,813 bitcoin for an aggregate purchase price of $ 150,000 thousand. The Company owned 100 % of the
limited partnership interests and consolidated the Fund under a voting interest model. The consolidated assets in the investment fund
are included in current assets in the consolidated condensed balance sheet under the caption “Digital assets held in fund.”
The
Fund qualified and operated as an investment company for accounting purposes pursuant to the accounting and reporting guidance under
ASC 946 – Financial Services – Investment Companies (“ASC 946”), which requires fair value
measurement of the Fund’s investments in digital assets. The Company retains the Fund’s investment company specific
accounting principles under ASC 946 upon consolidation. We recorded any changes in the fair value of the assets in the consolidated
condensed statements of operations under the caption “Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on digital assets held within
Investment Fund.”
On
June 10, 2022, the Company redeemed 100% of its limited partnership interest in the Fund in exchange for approximately 4,769 bitcoin
with a fair market value of approximately $ 137,844 thousand. This bitcoin was transferred from the Fund’s custodial wallet to the
Company’s digital wallet. Upon redemption, the Company no longer had a majority voting interest in the Fund and therefore deconsolidated
the Fund in accordance with ASC 810 – Consolidation (“ASC 810”). The Company did not record any gain or loss
upon deconsolidation as the digital assets in the Fund were measured at fair value. Subsequent to the transfer, the bitcoin transferred
to the Company’s digital wallet was accounted for at cost less impairment in line with its digital assets measurement policy as
described under “Digital Assets and Digital assets, restricted.”
Embedded
Derivatives
The
Company evaluates its financing and service arrangements to determine whether certain arrangements contain features that qualify as embedded
derivatives requiring bifurcation in accordance with ASC 815 - Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). Embedded derivatives
that are required to be bifurcated from the host instrument or arrangements are accounted for and valued as separate financial instruments.
For derivatives that are assets or liabilities, the derivative instrument is initially recorded at its fair value and is then remeasured
at each reporting date with changes in the fair value reported in the statements of operations. The Company classifies derivative assets or liabilities in the consolidated condensed balance sheet as current or non-current based on whether settlement of the instrument could
be required within 12 months of the consolidated condensed balance sheet date.
Deposits
The Company contracts with service providers for hosting
of its equipment and operational support in data centers where the Company’s equipment is deployed. These arrangements also call
for advance payments to be made to vendors in conjunction with the contractual obligations associated with these services. The Company
classifies these payments as “Deposits” on the consolidated condensed balance sheet.
Property
and Equipment
Property
and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and impairment, as applicable. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line
method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The Company’s property and equipment is primarily composed of bitcoin miners
which are largely homogeneous and have approximately the same useful lives. Accordingly, the Company utilizes the group method of depreciation
for its bitcoin miners. The Company will update the estimated useful lives of its bitcoin mining server group periodically as information
on the operations of the mining equipment indicates changes are required. The Company will assess and adjust the estimated useful lives
of its mining equipment when there are indicators that the productivity of the mining assets is higher or lower than the assigned estimated
useful lives.
9
Investments
Investments,
which may be made from time to time for strategic reasons (and not to engage in the business of investments), are included in non-current
assets in the consolidated condensed balance sheet. Investments without a readily determinable fair value are recorded at cost minus
impairment, plus or minus changes from observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar investments of the same
issuer, in accordance with the measurement alternative described in ASC 321 - Investments – Equity Securities (“ASC
321”). As part of the Company’s policy to maximize return on strategic investment opportunities, while preserving capital
and limiting downside risk, the Company may at times enter into equity investments or Simple Agreements for Future Equity (“SAFE”)
agreements. The nature and timing of the Company’s investments will depend on available capital at any particular time and the
investment opportunities identified and available to the Company.
On
February 3, 2022, the Company purchased approximately $ 10,000 thousand of convertible preferred stock of Compute North Holdings, Inc.
The acquisition of convertible preferred stock was accounted for as investments in equity securities without readily determinable fair
value at cost minus impairment, as adjusted for observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar investment
of the same issuer, pursuant to ASC 321. This investment was subject to an impairment of $ 10,000 thousand following Compute North’s
Chapter 11 Bankruptcy filing in September 2022 (See NOTE 8 – COMPUTE NORTH BANKRUPTCY ).
On
May 3, 2022, the Company converted $ 2,000 thousand from a SAFE investment into preferred stock while purchasing an additional $ 3,500
thousand of preferred stock in Auradine, Inc. along with entering into a commitment to acquire $ 30,000 thousand of additional shares
of preferred stock. This forward contract was accounted for under ASC 321 as an equity security.
On
September 27, 2022, the Company purchased an additional $ 30,000
thousand of preferred stock, bringing its total carrying amount of investment in Auradine, Inc. preferred stock to $ 35,500
thousand, with no noted impairments or other adjustments. The Company accounts for the preferred stock as
investments in equity securities without a readily determinable fair value at cost minus impairment, as adjusted for observable
price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar investments from the same issuer, pursuant to ASC 321 (See NOTE 13
– RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS ).
As
of the three months ended March 31, 2023 and year ended December 31, 2022, the Company has one remaining SAFE investment with a carrying
value of $ 1,000 thousand, with no noted impairments or other adjustments.
Equity
Method Investments
The
Company accounts for investments in which it owns between 20 % and 50 % of the common stock or has the ability to exercise significant
influence, but not control, over the investee using the equity method of accounting in accordance with ASC 323 - Equity Method Investments
and Joint Ventures (“ASC 323”). Under the equity method, an investor initially records an investment in the stock of
an investee at cost and adjusts the carrying amount of the investment to recognize the investor’s share of the earnings or losses
of the investee after the date of acquisition.
On
January 27, 2023, the Company and FS Innovation, LLC (“FSI”) entered into a Shareholders’ Agreement regarding the
formation of an Abu Dhabi Global Markets company (the “ADGM Entity”). For the three months ended March 31, 2023, the
ADGM Entity did not have any earnings or losses. As of March 31, 2023, the carrying value of the Company’s 20 %
ownership in the ADGM Entity was $ 43,194
thousand. The equity method investment is included in non-current assets in the consolidated condensed balance sheet under
“Investments.”
Stock-based
Compensation
The
Company expenses stock-based compensation to employees and non-employees over the requisite service period based on the grant-date fair
value of the awards and forfeiture rates.
Impairment
of Long-lived Assets
Management
reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may
not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to undiscounted
future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized
is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets.
10
Revenues
From Contracts with Customers
The
Company recognizes revenue under ASC 606 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). The core principle
of the revenue standard is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers
in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.
Income
Taxes
Effective
Tax Rate
Our
effective tax rate (“ETR”) from continuing operations was ( 1.06 )% for the three months ended March 31, 2023, and 24.91 % for
the three months ended March 31, 2022, respectively. The difference between the US statutory tax rate of 21 % was primarily due to the
change in valuation allowance as a result of current year activity. The following item caused the quarterly ETR to be significantly different
from our historic annual ETR:
● During
the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company concluded, based upon all available evidence,
it was more likely than not that it would not have sufficient future taxable income to realize
the Company’s federal and state deferred tax assets. As a result, the Company established
a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets that were not supported by reversing deferred
tax liabilities. No events occurred in the three months ended March 31, 2023 impacting this
determination.
Income
Tax in Interim Periods
The
Company records its tax expense or benefit on an interim basis using an estimated annual effective tax rate. This rate is applied to
the current period ordinary income or loss to determine the income tax provision or benefit allocated to the interim period. The income
tax effects of unusual or infrequent items are excluded from the estimated annual effective tax rate and are recognized in the impacted
interim period.
Adjustments
to the estimated annual effective income tax rate are recognized in the period when such estimates are revised.
Uncertainties
The
Company files federal and state income tax returns. The 2019-2021 tax years generally remain subject to examination by the IRS and various
state taxing authorities, although the Company is not currently under examination in any jurisdiction.
The
Company does not currently expect any of its remaining unrecognized tax benefits to be recognized in the next twelve months.
Out-of-Period
Adjustment
During
the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company recorded an out-of-period adjustment as a result of applying the quoted price in an
active market to the digital assets in accordance with ASC 820. The adjustment resulted in increased impairment of digital assets reflected
in the current period consolidated condensed statement of operations of $ 1,221 thousand. The Company evaluated the quantitative and qualitative
aspects of this out of period adjustment and determined that the adjustment did not have a material impact to any previously reported
quarterly or annual financial statements. Refer to NOTE 6 - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT for further discussion.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
The
Company continually assesses any new accounting pronouncements to determine their applicability. When it is determined that a new accounting
pronouncement affects the Company’s financial reporting, the Company undertakes a study to determine the consequences of the change
to its consolidated condensed financial statements and assures that there are proper controls in place to ascertain that the Company’s
consolidated condensed financial statements properly reflect the change.
There
have been no material changes to our recent accounting pronouncements that were disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which was
filed with the SEC on March 16, 2023.
11
NOTE
3 – REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS
The
Company recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC 606. The core principle of the revenue standard is that an entity should recognize
revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company
expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The following five steps are applied to achieve that core principle:
● Step
1: Identify the contract with the customer
● Step
2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract
● Step
3: Determine the transaction price
● Step
4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract
● 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 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.
12
Application
of the five-step model to the Company’s mining operations
The Company’s ongoing major or central operation is to provide bitcoin transaction verification services to
the bitcoin network through a Company-operated mining pool as the operator and a participant in a private pool (“Operator”)
(such activity as Participant and Operator, collectively, “mining”) and to provide computing power to collectives of third-party bitcoin miners (such collectives, “mining
pools”) as a participant (“Participant”). The Company currently mines in a self-operated pool,
which was previously open to third-party pool participants from September 2021 until May 2022.
The following table presents revenue of the Company disaggregated for those arrangements in which the Company is the Operator and Participant:
SCHEDULE OF DISAGGREGATION OF REVENUE
(in thousands)
2023
2022
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)
2023
2022
Revenues from contracts with customers
Participant
$ 17,876
$ —
Operator - Transaction fees
1,051
517
Other revenue
Operator - Block rewards
32,205
51,206
Total revenue
$ 51,132
$ 51,723
Revenue
51,132
51,723
Operator
As
Operator, the Company provides transaction verification services. Transaction verification services are an output of the Company’s
ordinary activities; therefore, the Company views the transaction requestor as a customer and accounts for the transaction fees it earns
as revenue from a contract with a customer 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 it is appropriate to apply ASC 606 by analogy to block rewards earned from the network.
A contract exists under ASC 606 at the point the Company successfully validates a transaction to the distributed ledger. At this point,
the performance obligation to validate the requested transaction has been satisfied and a contract is deemed to exist as follows:
●
The
transaction requester, the bitcoin network, and the Company have approved the contract and have evidenced they are committed to the transaction
at the point of successfully validating and adding the transaction to the distributed ledger. The parties’ rights, the consideration
to be transferred, and the payment terms are clear. The transaction has commercial substance and collection of the block reward and transaction
fees to which the Company is entitled is probable because they are transferred to the Company as part of closing a successful block.
●
By
successfully mining a block, the Company satisfies its lone performance obligation of providing transaction verification services and,
thus, earns revenue at that point in time. The amount to which the Company is entitled for successfully validating a block of transactions
is fixed at the point in time the contract is deemed to exist and the performance obligation is satisfied. Thus, there is no variable
consideration.
The Company engaged unrelated third-party mining enterprises (“pool
participants”) to contribute computing power, 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 computing power (“hash rate”). 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 rate
to solve in areas that the Company designates. 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. The Company operated a mining pool that engaged third-party pool participants from September 2021 until May 2022.
13
ASC
606-10-32-21 requires entities to measure the estimated fair value of noncash consideration at contract inception, which is the same
time the block reward and transaction fee is earned and the performance obligation to the requester and the network is fulfilled by successfully
validating the applicable block of transactions. For reasons of operational practicality, the Company applies an accounting convention
to use the daily quoted closing U.S. dollar spot rate of bitcoin each day to determine the fair value of bitcoin earned as transaction
fees and block rewards in the Company’s wallet during that day. This accounting convention does not result in materially different
revenue recognition from using the fair value of the bitcoin earned at contract inception (i.e., the moment a block is solved) and has
been consistently applied in all periods presented.
Expenses
associated with providing the bitcoin transaction verification services to the customers, such as rent, electricity cost, and transaction
fees and block rewards are recorded as cost of revenues. Depreciation on digital asset mining equipment is recorded as a component of
cost of revenues.
Participant
When
the Company is a Participant in a third-party operated mining pool, the Company provides hash rate that is an output of the Company’s
ordinary activities in exchange for consideration. The Company considers the third-party mining pool operators its customers under Topic
606. These contracts are period-to-period contracts because they are terminable at any time by either party without compensation. A new
contract is determined to exist each period (i.e., second, minute, hour) that neither the Company, nor the pool operator, terminates
the arrangement.
The
consideration to which the Company is entitled is a fractional share of the block award and transaction fees; the amount of which
is based on the proportion of the Company’s contributed hash rate to the total computing power contributed by all mining pool participants
in solving the current algorithm as calculated and determined by the pool operator, usually through usage of a mining software, net of
any pool fees due to the pool operator. The Company receives the consideration in aggregate typically within 24 hours of winning the
block, and any disputes to the consideration to which the Company is entitled can be made by notifying and resolving the issues with
the pool operators. However, there have not been any subsequent adjustments to the fees received, therefore the Company concludes that
it is probable that a significant reversal of revenue recognized will not occur upon settlement.
Providing
computing power on rigs to solve complex cryptographic algorithms in support of blockchain mining (in a process known as “solving
a block”) is the primary output of the Company’s ordinary activities. The provision of computing power is the only performance
obligation under our arrangements with third-party mining pool operators. The transaction consideration the Company receives is non-cash
(i.e., bitcoin) and entirely variable as it is unknown at each contract inception whether the Company will earn any consideration during
the period, and if it does become entitled to consideration, how much consideration to which it will be entitled.
The
Company satisfies its performance obligation to provide computing power to the pool operator over time as described in FASB ASC 606-10-25-27(a)
as the pool operator simultaneously consumes and receives benefits from the Company’s provision of computing power, which it uses
continuously as an input to the pool’s efforts to solve a block.
In
accordance with FASB ASC 606-10-32-11 and 32-12, the Company constrains the variable consideration to which it is entitled and does not
recognize revenue for such amounts until it receives confirmation of the amount, usually via the settlement of the fractional share of
block reward and transaction fees in the Company’s digital wallet. Since the Company does not have visibility on its contributed
computing power relative to the pool’s total computing power, which is one of the key inputs that determine the fractional block
reward and transaction fees share to which it is entitled; therefore, it only knows the amount of non-cash consideration to which
it is entitled upon settlement of the Company’s earned fractional share into its digital wallet. Because of this and the fact that
the Company’s fractional share substantively varies from block to block, it is not probable that a significant reversal of revenue
will not occur until the uncertainty related to the Bitcoin to which the Company is entitled ultimately resolves at settlement. At settlement,
the total block reward and transaction fees consideration earned by the pool operator are allocated and distributed (with no provision
for, or risk of, clawback) by the pool operator to each participant based on each participant’s contribution of computing power.
Consequently, at that point in time, the risk of significant revenue reversal abates such that consideration should be added to the transaction
price (and revenue recognized accordingly). Settlement of consideration typically occurs within 24 hours of when a block is won unless
such block is won over a weekend or holiday, in which case settlement can take up to 72 hours.
14
The
Company uses its accounting convention to measure revenue based upon the daily quoted closing U.S. dollar spot rate of bitcoin on the day
the transaction fees and block rewards are settled in the Company’s wallet. This accounting convention does not result in materially
different revenue recognition from using the fair value of the bitcoin earned at contract inception and has been consistently applied
in all periods presented.
Expenses
associated with providing computing power services to third-party operated mining pools, such as rent and electricity costs, are recorded
as cost of revenues. Depreciation on digital asset mining equipment is also recorded as a component of cost of revenues.
NOTE
4 – ADVANCES TO VENDORS AND DEPOSITS
The
Company contracts with bitcoin mining equipment manufacturers in procuring equipment necessary for the operation of its bitcoin mining
operations. A typical agreement calls for a certain percentage 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 consolidated condensed balance sheet.
As
of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, such advances totaled approximately $ 57,511 thousand and $ 488,299 thousand, 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 call for advance payments to be made to vendors in conjunction
with the contractual obligations associated with these services. We classify these payments as “Deposits” on the consolidated
condensed balance sheet.
NOTE
5 – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
The
components of property and equipment as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 are:
SCHEDULE
OF COMPONENTS OF PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
(in thousands, except useful life)
Useful life (Years)
March 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
Mining rigs
3
$ 326,951
$ 116,634
Containers
10
3,112
1,614
Website and leasehold improvements
7
206
206
Construction in progress
N/A
419,003
171,194
Gross property, equipment
749,272
289,648
Less: Accumulated depreciation
( 34,356 )
( 16,622 )
Property and equipment, net
$ 714,916
$ 273,026
The
Company’s depreciation expense related to property and equipment for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $ 17,733
thousand and $ 13,877 thousand, respectively.
15
NOTE
6 – 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. The levels of the fair
value hierarchy are:
Level
1:
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 in the consolidated condensed balance sheet for cash and cash equivalents, other receivable, 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.
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 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 of those assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2023 and December
31, 2022, respectively:
SCHEDULE OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES MEASURED AT FAIR VALUE ON RECURRING BASIS
Recurring fair value measured at March 31, 2023
(in thousands)
Total carrying value at March 31, 2023
Quoted prices in active markets
(Level 1)
Significant other observable inputs
(Level 2)
Significant unobservable inputs
(Level 3)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents (1)
$ 153
$ 153
$ —
$ —
Recurring fair value measured at December 31, 2022
(in thousands)
Total carrying value at December 31, 2022
Quoted prices in active markets
(Level 1)
Significant other observable inputs
(Level 2)
Significant unobservable inputs
(Level 3)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents (1)
$ 92,044
$ 92,044
$ —
$ —
(1) Represents money
market accounts. Excludes $ 124,729 thousand and $ 11,661 thousand of cash and cash equivalents.
There
were no transfers among Levels 1, 2 or 3 during the three months ended March 31, 2023.
16
Non-recurring
measurement of fair value
The
following tables present information about the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis
and therefore, not included in the tables above. These assets include (a) digital assets and digital assets, restricted that are initially
recorded at cost and subsequently impaired as the fair value falls below its carrying value; (b) mining rigs and advances to vendors
that are written down to fair value due to the decrease in the cost of bitcoin mining rigs that was driven by the drop in bitcoin prices
during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2022. These assets are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to
fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (e.g., impairment). The Company’s estimated level within the fair value hierarchy
of those assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively:
SCHEDULE OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES MEASURED AT FAIR VALUE ON NON-RECURRING BASIS
Non-recurring fair value measured at March 31, 2023
(in thousands)
Total carrying value at March 31, 2023
Quoted prices in active markets
(Level 1)
Significant other observable inputs
(Level 2)
Significant unobservable inputs
(Level 3)
Assets
Digital assets
$ 189,087
$ 326,487
$ —
$ —
Non-recurring fair value measured at December 31, 2022
(in thousands)
Total carrying value at December 31, 2022
Quoted prices in active markets
(Level 1)
Significant other observable inputs
(Level 2)
Significant unobservable inputs
(Level 3)
Assets
Digital assets
121,842
—
129,335
—
Property and equipment, net (1)
271,280
—
271,280
—
Advances to vendors
488,299
—
488,299
—
Digital assets, restricted
68,875
—
73,074
—
(1) Represents mining
rigs. Excludes $ 1,746 thousand of Property and equipment relating to containers and website and leasehold improvements.
During
the three months ended March 31, 2023, the fair value of digital assets and digital assets, restricted were transferred from Level 2
to Level 1, as a result of using the quoted price in the active market in accordance with ASC 820. There were no other transfers among
Levels 1, 2 or 3 during the three months ended March 31, 2023. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were no other assets
and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis.
NOTE
7 – NET LOSS PER SHARE
Net
income per common share is calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 260 – “Earnings Per Share” (“ASC 260”).
Basic income 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 months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, the Company incurred a loss position and as such,
the computation of diluted net loss per share does not include dilutive common stock equivalents in the weighted average shares outstanding,
as they would be anti-dilutive.
Securities
that could potentially dilute loss per share in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted loss per share at March
31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:
SCHEDULE OF ANTIDILUTIVE SECURITIES EXCLUDED FROM COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE
2023
2022
Three months ended March 31,
2023
2022
Warrants to purchase common stock
324,375
324,375
Restricted stock units
1,500,254
1,188,478
Convertible notes to exchange common stock
9,812,955
9,812,955
Total dilutive shares
11,637,584
11,325,808
17
The
following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted loss per share:
SCHEDULE OF COMPUTATION OF BASIC AND DILUTED LOSS PER SHARE
2023
2022
Three months ended March 31,
2023
2022
Net loss attributable to common shareholders
$ ( 7,235 )
$ ( 12,851 )
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares - basic and diluted
159,186,506
103,102,596
Loss per common share - basic and diluted
$ ( 0.05 )
$ ( 0.12 )
NOTE
8 – COMPUTE NORTH BANKRUPTCY
On
September 22, 2022, Compute North Holdings, Inc. (along with its affiliated debtors, collectively, “Compute North”, filed
for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy
Code (11 U.S. Code section 101 et seq .). Marathon’s financial exposure to Compute North at the time of the bankruptcy filing
included:
-
Approximately
$ 10,000 thousand in Convertible Preferred Stock of Compute North Holdings, Inc.
-
Approximately
$ 21,000 thousand related to an unsecured Senior Promissory note with Compute North LLC.
-
Approximately
$ 50,000 thousand in operating deposits with Compute North primarily related to the King Mountain and Wolf Hollow hosting facilities.
The
Company recorded an impairment charge of $ 55,674 thousand during 2022. On February 16, 2023, the Bankruptcy Court approved the Debtors
Plan of Reorganization, pursuant to which Marathon’s claim has been fixed at $ 40,000 thousand as an unsecured claim to be paid
out according to the timing and percentages within the approved Debtor’s plan.
NOTE
9 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common
Stock
Shelf
Registration Statements on Form S-3 and At-The-Market Offering Agreements
On
February 11, 2022, the Company entered into an At-The-Market Offering Agreement, or sales agreement, with H.C. Wainwright & Co.,
LLC relating to shares of its common stock. In accordance with the terms of the sales agreement, the Company
may offer and sell shares of its common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $ 750,000 thousand from time to time through
Wainwright acting as its sales agent. As of March 31, 2023, the Company has sold 63,498,908 shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase
price of $ 524,781 thousand, net of offering costs, pursuant to this At-The-Market Offering Agreement.
Common
Stock Warrants
As
of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had 324,375 issued and outstanding stock warrants.
Restricted
Stock
A
summary of the restricted stock award activity (represented by restricted stock units (RSUs) for the three months ended March 31, 2023
is as follows:
SUMMARY OF RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD ACTIVITY
Number of Units
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at December 31, 2022
1,255,648
$ 22.60
Granted
662,865
6.86
Vested
( 418,259 )
17.56
Nonvested at March 31, 2023
1,500,254
$ 17.05
18
NOTE
10 – DEBT
On
November 18, 2021, the Company issued $ 650,000 thousand principal of its 1.0 % Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 (the “Notes”).
The Notes were issued pursuant to, and are governed by, an indenture (the “Indenture”), dated as of November 18, 2021, between
the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”). Pursuant to the purchase agreement between the
Company and the initial purchasers of the Notes, the Company also granted the initial purchasers an option, for settlement within a period
of 13 days from, and including, November 18, 2021 to purchase up to an additional $ 97,500 thousand principal of Notes, which additional
Notes were purchased on November 23, 2021, for an aggregate principal amount of Notes purchased of $ 747,500 thousand. All references
in this disclosure to “Notes” includes the Notes issued on both November 18, 2021 and November 23, 2021. As of March 31,
2023 and December 31, 2022, notes outstanding, net of unamortized discounts of approximately $ 14,240 thousand and $ 15,211 thousand, respectively,
were $ 733,260 thousand and $ 732,289 thousand, respectively.
The
Notes accrue interest at a rate of 1.00 % per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year, beginning
on June 1, 2022. The Notes will mature on December 1, 2026, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted. Before the close of business
on the business day immediately before September 1, 2026, noteholders will have the right to convert their Notes only upon the occurrence
of certain events . From and after September 1, 2026, noteholders may convert their Notes at any time at their election until the close
of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately before the maturity date. The Company will settle conversions by paying or
delivering, as applicable, cash, shares of its common stock or a combination of cash and shares of its common stock, at the Company’s
election. The initial conversion rate is 13.1277 shares of common stock per $ 1 thousand principal amount of Notes, which represents an
initial conversion price of approximately $ 76.17 per share of common stock. The conversion rate and conversion price will be subject
to customary adjustments upon the occurrence of certain events. In addition, if certain corporate events that constitute a “Make-Whole
Fundamental Change” (as defined in the Indenture) occur, then the conversion rate will, in certain circumstances, be increased
for a specified period of time.
On
July 28, 2022, the Company entered into a Revolving Credit and Security Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Silvergate Bank
(the “Bank”) pursuant to which Silvergate had agreed to loan the Company up to $ 100,000 thousand on a revolving basis pursuant
to the terms of the Agreement. This facility refinanced and replaced an existing $ 100,000 thousand facility the Company had in place
with the Bank. On the same date, the Company also entered into a $ 100,000 thousand principal term loan facility (the “Term Loan”)
with Silvergate. See Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 for the terms of the facilities set forth in the Agreement and the
Term Loan.
On
February 6, 2023, the Company provided Silvergate Bank with the required 30-day notice stating the Company’s intent to prepay the
outstanding balance on its term loan facility as well as the Company’s intent to terminate the term loan facility. The Company
and Silvergate subsequently agreed to also terminate the revolving line of credit (“RLOC”) facility. On March 8, 2023, the
term loan prepayment was completed, and the Company’s term loan and RLOC facilities with Silvergate Bank were terminated.
NOTE
11 – LEASES
Leases
The
Company leases office space in the United States under operating lease agreements. The Company also entered into an arrangement with
Applied Blockchain 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. Payments made for these two
operating leases are therefore entirely variable and are based on usage of electricity, and the Company therefore does not record a right-of-use
asset or lease liability associated with the leases. Variable lease cost during the three months ended March 31, 2023 are disclosed in
the table below. Office space and mining facilities comprise the Company’s material underlying asset classes under operating lease
agreements. The Company has no material finance leases.
As
of March 31, 2023, the Company’s right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and total lease liabilities were $ 1,180 thousand and $ 1,245
thousand, respectively, for leases in the United States. As of December 31, 2022, the Company’s ROU assets and total lease liabilities
were $ 1,276 thousand and $ 1,343 thousand, respectively. The Company has amortized right-of-use assets totaling $ 84 thousand and $ 110
thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023, and year ended December 31, 2022, respectively.
19
Operating
lease costs are recorded on a straight-line basis within operating expenses. The Company’s total lease expense is comprised of
the following:
SCHEDULE OF COMPONENTS OF LEASE COST
(in thousands)
2023
2022
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)
2023
2022
Operating leases
Operating lease cost
$ 112
$ 26
Operating lease expense
112
26
Short-term lease rent expense
9
7
Variable lease cost
2,773
—
Total rent expense
$ 2,894
$ 33
Additional
information regarding the Company’s leasing activities as a lessee is as follows:
SUMMARY OF MINIMUM LEASE PAYMENTS
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except term and discount rate data)
2023
2022
Operating cash flows from operating leases
$ ( 2 )
$ 17
Weighted-average remaining lease term – operating leases
3.5
4.7
Weighted-average discount rate – operating leases
5 %
5 %
SCHEDULE OF LEASE LIABILITY MATURITY
Year
Amount
(in thousands)
2023 (remaining)
$ 346
2024
362
2025
312
2026
241
2027
102
Thereafter
—
Total
$ 1,363
NOTE
12 – LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Compute
North Bankruptcy
On
September 22, 2022, Compute North Holdings, Inc. (currently d/b/a Mining Project Wind Down Holdings, Inc.) and certain of its affiliates
(collectively, “Compute North”) filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Compute North provided operating services to
the Company and hosted our mining rigs at multiple facilities. We delivered miners to Compute North, which then installed the mining
rigs at those facilities, operated and maintained the mining rigs, and provided energy to keep the miners operating. During the course
of the chapter 11 cases, Compute North sold substantially all of their assets in a series of 363 sale transactions, including Compute
North’s ownership interests in non-debtor entities that own or partially-own facilities that house our miners.
On
November 23, 2022, the Company and certain of its affiliates timely filed proofs of claim asserting various claims against Compute North,
including: (i) claims arising under hosting agreements between the Company and Compute North LLC; (ii) claims arising under that certain
Senior Promissory Note, dated as of July 1, 2022, by and between the Company, as Lender, and Compute North LLC, as Borrower; (iii) claims
arising from the breach of a letter of intent between us and Compute North LLC; and (iv) claims for daily lost revenue, profits and other
damages against Compute North.
On
February 9, 2023, the Bankruptcy Court approved a settlement stipulation between the Company and Compute North, pursuant to which the
proofs of claim filed by the Company and certain of its affiliates were resolved, and the Company received a single allowed unsecured
claim against Compute North LLC in the amount of $ 40,000,000 and its Preferred Equity Interests in Compute North Holdings, Inc. in the
amount of 39,597 shares of Series C Preferred Stock was confirmed. In exchange, the Company agreed to vote in favor of Compute North’s
chapter 11 plan.
20
On
February 16, 2023, the Bankruptcy Court confirmed Compute North’s chapter 11 plan (the “Plan”), pursuant to which Compute
North will liquidate its remaining assets and distribute proceeds arising therefrom in accordance with the waterfall set forth in the
Plan. In its disclosure statement filed on December 19, 2022, the Compute North Debtors projected that holders of allowed general unsecured
claims could recover anywhere between 8% to 65% on their claims, while holders of preferred equity interests are expected to recover
nothing on their interests . The Plan became effective on March 31, 2023. At this time, the Company cannot predict the quantum of its
potential recovery on account of its allowed general unsecured claim and preferred equity interests or the timing of when it would receive
any distributions under the Plan on account of its claims and interests.
Derivative
Complaints
On
February 18, 2022, a 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 of directors and senior management. The complaint is based on allegations substantially
similar to the allegations in the December 2021 putative class action complaint, related to the Company’s disclosure of an SEC
investigation previously made by the Company on November 15, 2021. On March 4, 2022, the complaint was served on the Company. On April
4, 2022, the defendants moved to dismiss the complaint.
On
May 5, 2022, 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 of directors and senior management. The second shareholder derivative complaint
is based on allegations substantially similar to the allegations in the February 18, 2022 derivative complaint. On May 11, 2022, the
defendants moved to dismiss the second shareholder derivative complaint.
On
June 1, 2022, the Court entered an order consolidating the two derivative actions. A June 13, 2022 scheduling order provided for plaintiffs
to file a consolidated complaint and for renewed motions to dismiss the consolidated shareholder derivative complaint. On November 22,
2022, before a consolidated complaint was due, plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed both actions without prejudice. On November 23, 2022,
both actions were closed.
Putative
Class Action Complaint
On
December 17, 2021, 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. The complaint alleges securities fraud related to the disclosure of an SEC investigation
previously made by the Company on November 15, 2021. Plaintiff Tad Schlatre served the complaint on the Company on March 1, 2022. On
September 12, 2022, the court appointed Carlos Marina as lead plaintiff. On October 21, 2022, lead plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the
complaint without prejudice. On December 7, 2022, the action was closed.
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. The complaint alleges securities fraud related to the Company’s announcement
of accounting restatements on February 28, 2023. Plaintiff has not served the complaint on the Company.
Information
Subpoenas
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, MT. In conjunction therewith, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K on October 13, 2020. The 8-K discloses 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. 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 described in our Form 8-K dated October 13, 2020. The Company received an additional subpoena from the SEC on April 10, 2023,
relating to, among other things, transactions with related parties. We understand that the SEC may be investigating whether or not there
may have been any violations of the federal securities law. We are cooperating with the SEC.
21
Ho
v. Marathon
On
January 14, 2021, Plaintiff Michael Ho (“Plaintiff” or “Ho”) filed a Civil Complaint for Damages and Restitution
(“Complaint”) against the Company. The Complaint alleges six causes of action against the Company, (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. The claims arise from the same set of facts. Ho alleges
that the Company profited from commercially-sensitive information he shared with the Company and then it refused to compensate him for
his role in securing the acquisition of a supplier of energy for the Company. On February 22, 2021, the Company responded to Mr. Ho’s
Complaint with a general denial and the assertion of applicable affirmative defenses. Then, on February 25, 2021, the Company removed
the action to the United States District Court in the Central District of California, where the action remains pending. The Company filed
a motion for summary judgment/adjudication of all causes of action. On February 11, 2022, the Court granted the motion and dismissed
Ho’s 2nd, 5th and 6th causes of action. Discovery is substantially closed. The Court held a pre-trial conference on February 24,
2022, where it vacated the March 3, 2022 trial date and ordered the parties to meet and confer on a new trial date. The Court discussed
the various theories of damages maintained by the parties. In its ruling on the summary judgment motion and at the pre-trial conference
on February 24, 2022, the Court noted that a jury is more likely to accept $ 150,000 as an appropriate damages amount if liability is
found, as opposed to the various theories espoused by Ho that result in multi-million-dollar recoveries. Due to outstanding issues of
fact and law, it is impossible to predict the outcome at this time; however, after consulting legal counsel, the Company is confident
that it will prevail in this litigation, since it did not have a contract with Mr. Ho and he did not disclose any commercially-sensitive
information under any mutual nondisclosure agreement that was used to structure any joint venture with energy providers. The trial has
been rescheduled for January 29, 2024, and is scheduled for four days, including jury selection.
NOTE
13 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
On
September 23, 2022, the Company made an incremental $ 30,000 thousand investment in Auradine, Inc., bringing its total holdings in Auradine
to $ 35,500 thousand based upon a previously issued and disclosed SAFE instrument. Said Ouissal, a director of the Company, currently
owns approximately 5 % of the issued and outstanding shares of Auradine, and Fred Thiel, the Company’s Chairman and CEO, sits on
Auradine’s Board of Directors. On November 3, 2022, the Company’s Board met and determined that Said Ouissal was no longer
deemed to be an independent director of the Company. As a result, Mr. Ouissal stepped down from all Board Committees.
NOTE
14 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The
Company has evaluated other subsequent events through the date the consolidated financial statements were available to be issued and
has concluded that no such events or transactions took place that would require disclosure.
22
Item
2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
This
report on Form 10-Q (“Report”) and other written and oral statements made from time to time by us may contain so-called “forward-looking
statements,” all of which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words
such as “expects,” “plans,” “will,” “forecasts,” “projects,” “intends,”
“estimates,” and other words of similar meaning. One can identify them by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical
or current facts. These statements are likely to address our growth strategy, financial results and product and development programs.
One must carefully consider any such statement and should understand that many factors could cause actual results to differ from our
forward-looking statements. These factors may include inaccurate assumptions and a broad variety of other risks and uncertainties, including
some that are known and some that are not. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual future results may vary materially.
Information
regarding market and industry statistics contained in this Report is included based on information available to us that we believe is
accurate. It is generally based on 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 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.
23
The
following discussion and analysis are intended as a review of significant factors affecting our financial condition and results of operations
for the periods indicated. The discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes presented
herein. In addition to historical information, the following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ significantly
from those expressed, implied or anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors discussed herein and
any other periodic reports filed and to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Cautionary
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This
report and other documents that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission contain forward-looking statements that are based
on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about our future performance, our business, our beliefs and our management’s
assumptions. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Words such as “expect,” “outlook,”
“forecast,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “project,” “intend,”
“plan,” “continue,” “sustain”, “on track”, “believe,” “seek,”
“estimate,” “anticipate,” “may,” “assume,” and variations of such words and similar expressions
are often used to identify such forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward- looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, assumptions
and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those described in our reports that we file or furnish with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual
results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you are cautioned not
to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Except to the extent required
by law, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result
of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.
Business
Overview
The Company was incorporated in the State of Nevada
on February 23, 2010 under the name Verve Ventures, Inc. In October 2012, the Company commenced IP licensing operations, at which time
the Company’s name was changed to Marathon Patent Group, Inc. The Company commenced mining bitcoin in 2018 and changed its name
to Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc. on March 1, 2021. As of March 31, 2023, the Company is solely focused on the mining of bitcoin and
ancillary opportunities within the Bitcoin ecosystem under the name Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc. and operates primarily in the United
States and with certain strategic joint ventures in the Middle East under development.
Developments
during the three months ended March 31, 2023
The
Company has continued its focus on expanding its operational capabilities during the period both domestically and internationally.
On
January 27, 2023, the Company and FS Innovation, LLC (“FSI”) entered into
a Shareholders’ Agreement (the “Agreement”) regarding formation of an Abu Dhabi Global Markets company (the “ADGM
Entity”), whose purpose shall be to jointly (a) establish and operate one or more mining facilities for digital assets; and (b)
mine digital assets (collectively, the “Business”). The initial project by the ADGM Entity shall consist of two digital asset
mining sites comprising 250 MW in Abu Dhabi, and the initial equity ownership in the ADGM Entity shall be 80% FSI and 20% the Company,
and capital contributions will be made, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions, during the 2023 development period
in those proportions, consisting of both cash and in kind, in amounts of approximately $406 million in aggregate. FSI will appoint four
directors to the board of the ADGM Entity, and the Company will appoint one director.
Unless
otherwise not permitted by applicable law, the digital assets mined by the ADGM Entity will be distributed to the Company and FSI twice
a month in proportion to their respective equity interests in the ADGM Entity. There are market provisions in the Agreement with respect
to financial and tax matters.
24
The
Agreement shall terminate at the earlier of the mutual written agreement of the parties, winding up of the ADGM Entity or the ownership
by a shareholder of all of the outstanding equity interests in the ADGM Entity. The Agreement contains market terms on transfer of shares
by a shareholder, pre-emptive rights and certain tag along and drag along rights upon a sale of the ADGM Entity. Furthermore, there are
five year restrictive covenants which, inter alia , prevent Marathon from competing in the UAE with the Business or with the business
of FSI or any of certain related parties and prevent FSI from competing in the U.S. with the business of Marathon.
The
Company also made progress in installing and energizing its operations at various locations throughout the US, and in particular its
two North Dakota sites. The Garden City, TX site is fully installed but is pending regulatory approval and was therefore not yet operational
at March 31, 2023. Bitcoin production increased to 2,195 bitcoin during the three months ended March 31, 2023, an average of 24.4 bitcoin
per day. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, we produced 1,259 bitcoin, an average of 14.0 bitcoin per day. The 74% increase
in production was a result of increasing the scale of our operations, primarily from the commencement and ramp up of operations at our
North Dakota sites.
Bitcoin
prices also rebounded significantly during the 2023 period, increasing from $16,548 per bitcoin at December 31, 2022 to $28,474 per bitcoin
at March 31, 2023. This increase in the market value of bitcoin resulted in lower levels of impairment recorded during the period, and
a higher market value of our bitcoin holdings at March 31, 2023 compared with December 31, 2022.
The
Company also commenced a program to sell some of its bitcoin as a means of offsetting monthly cash operating costs. We sold 2,900 bitcoin
for total proceeds of $62,646 thousand, realizing gains on sales of bitcoin of $17,615 thousand during the three months ended March 31,
2023. There were no such sales in the prior-year period.
The
Company terminated its credit facilities with Silvergate Bank and responded to the closure of Signature Bank by diversifying its cash
management services among several institutions. Key activities during the period related to these efforts included the following:
● On
February 6, 2023, the Company provided Silvergate Bank with the required 30-day notice stating
the Company’s intent to prepay the outstanding balance on its term loan facility as
well as the Company’s intent to terminate the term loan facility. The Company and Silvergate
Bank subsequently agreed to terminate the RLOC facility. On March 8, 2023, the Company prepaid
the term loan and terminated the RLOC facility with Silvergate Bank.
● On
March 12, 2023, Signature Bank was closed by the New York State Department of Financial Services.
On that same date the FDIC was appointed as receiver and transferred all the deposits and
substantially all of the assets of Signature Bank to Signature Bridge Bank, N.A., a full-service
bank that was being operated by the FDIC. The Company held approximately $142,000 thousand
cash deposits at Signature Bridge Bank, N.A. when normal banking activities resumed on March
13, 2023. The Company reduced its balances at Signature Bridge Bank and its successor institution
by transferring funds to other financial institutions and through other treasury management
activities. The Company no longer has any deposits at Signature Bank or its successors.
Critical
Accounting Policies and Estimates
The
following accounting policies relate to the significant areas involving management’s judgments and estimates in the preparation
of our financial statements, and are those that we believe are the most critical to aid your understanding and evaluation of this management
discussion and analysis:
● Digital
assets
● Revenue
from contracts with customers
● Long-lived
assets
● Income
taxes
25
Digital
assets
Digital
assets (bitcoin) are included in current and other assets in the accompanying consolidated condensed balance sheet. Digital assets awarded
to the Company through its mining activities are accounted for in accordance with the Company’s revenue recognition policy below.
Digital
assets are accounted for as intangible assets with indefinite useful lives and are recorded at cost less impairment in accordance with
ASC 350 – “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other” (“ASC 350”). An intangible asset with an indefinite useful life
is not amortized but assessed for impairment annually, or more frequently, when events or changes in circumstances occur indicating that
it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived asset is impaired. Whenever the exchange-traded price of digital assets declines
below its carrying value, the Company has determined that it is more likely than not that an impairment exists and records impairment
equal to the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value at that point in time. The Company has deemed the price of digital
assets to be a Level 1 input under the ASC 820 - “Fair Value Measurement” (“ASC 820”) hierarchy as these were
based on observable quoted prices in the Company’s principal market for identical assets. Subsequent reversal of impairment losses
is not permitted.
Purchases
of digital assets by the Company are included within investing activities in the accompanying consolidated condensed statements of cash
flows, while digital assets awarded to the Company through its mining activities are included as a reconciling item within operating
activities on the accompanying consolidated condensed statements of cash flows. The sales of digital assets are included within investing
activities in the accompanying consolidated condensed statements of cash flows and any realized gains or losses from such sales are included
in operating expenses in the consolidated condensed statements of operations.
26
Revenues
from contracts with customers
The
Company recognizes revenue in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 606 – “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASC
606”). The core principle of the revenue standard is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised
goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for
those goods or services. The following five steps are applied to achieve that core principle:
● Step
1: Identify the contract with the customer
● Step
2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract
● Step
3: Determine the transaction price
● Step
4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract
● Step
5: Recognize the 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 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.
The
Company’s ongoing major or central operation is to provide bitcoin transaction verification services to the bitcoin network through
a Company-operated mining pool as the operator and a participant in a private pool (“Operator”) (such activity as Participant
and Operator, collectively, “mining”) and to provide computing power to collectives of third-party bitcoin miners (such collectives,
“mining pools”) as a participant (“Participant”). The Company currently mines in a self-operated pool, which
was previously open to third-party pool participants from September 2021 until May 2022.
27
Operator
As Operator, the Company provides transaction verification services. Transaction
verification services are an output of the Company’s ordinary activities; therefore, the Company views the transaction requestor
as a customer and accounts for the transaction fees it earns as revenue from a contract with a customer 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 it is appropriate to apply
ASC 606 by analogy to block rewards earned from the network. A contract exists under ASC 606 at the point the Company successfully validates
a transaction to the distributed ledger. At this point, the performance obligation to validate the requested transaction has been satisfied
and a contract is deemed to exist.
The Company engaged unrelated third-party mining enterprises (“pool
participants”) to contribute computing power, 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 computing power (“hash rate”). The Company
determined that it controlled the service of providing transaction verification services to the network and requester as the Company’s
wallet as Operator was recorded on the distributed ledger as the transaction verifier of record, the pool participants entered into contracts
with the Company and not the network or requester, and the Company delegated mining work to pool participants. Therefore, 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.
ASC
606-10-32-21 requires entities to measure the estimated fair value of noncash consideration at contract inception, which is the same
time the block reward and transaction fee is earned and the performance obligation to the requester and the network is fulfilled by successfully
validating the applicable block of transactions. For reasons of operational practicality, the Company applies an accounting convention
to use the daily quoted closing U.S. dollar spot rate of bitcoin each day to determine the fair value of bitcoin earned as transaction
fees and block rewards in the Company’s wallet during that day. This accounting convention does not result in materially different
revenue recognition from using the fair value of the bitcoin earned at contract inception (i.e., the moment a block is solved) and has
been consistently applied in all periods presented.
Participant
When
the Company is a Participant in a third-party operated mining pool, the Company provides hash rate that is an output
of the Company’s ordinary activities in exchange for consideration. The Company considers the third-party mining pool operators
its customers under Topic 606. These contracts are period-to-period contracts because they are terminable at any time by either party
without compensation. A new contract is determined to exist each period (i.e., second, minute, hour) that neither the Company, nor the
pool operator, terminates the arrangement.
The
consideration to which the Company is entitled is a fractional share of the block award and transaction fees; the amount of which
is based on the proportion of the Company’s contributed hash rate to the total computing power contributed by all mining pool participants
in solving the current algorithm as calculated and determined by the pool operator, usually through usage of a mining software, net of
any pool fees due to the pool operator. The Company receives the consideration in aggregate typically within 24 hours of winning the
block, and any disputes to the consideration to which the Company is entitled can be made by notifying and resolving the issues with
the pool operators. However, there have not been any subsequent adjustments to the fees received, therefore the Company concludes that
it is probable that a significant reversal of revenue recognized will not occur upon settlement.
Providing computing power on rigs to solve complex cryptographic algorithms
in support of blockchain mining (in a process known as “solving a block”) is the primary output of the Company’s ordinary
activities. The provision of computing power is the only performance obligation under our arrangements with third-party mining pool operators.
The transaction consideration the Company receives is non-cash (i.e., bitcoin) and entirely variable as it is unknown at each contract
inception whether the Company will earn any consideration during the period, and if it does become entitled to consideration, how much
consideration it will be entitled to.
In
accordance with FASB ASC 606-10-32-11 and 32-12, the Company constrains the variable consideration to which it is entitled and does not
recognize revenue for such amounts until it receives confirmation of the amount, usually via the settlement of the fractional share of
block reward and transaction fees in the Company’s digital wallet. Since the Company does not have visibility on its contributed
computing power relative to the pool’s total computing power, which is one of the key inputs that determine the fractional block
reward and transaction fees share to which it is entitled to; therefore, it only knows the amount of non-cash consideration to which
it is entitled upon settlement of the Company’s earned fractional share into its digital wallet. Because of this and the fact that
the Company’s fractional share substantively varies from block to block, it is not probable that a significant reversal of revenue
will not occur until the uncertainty related to the Bitcoin to which the Company is entitled ultimately resolves at settlement. At settlement,
the total block reward and transaction fees consideration earned by the pool operator are allocated and distributed (with no provision
for, or risk of, clawback) by the pool operator to each participant based on each participant’s contribution of computing power.
Consequently, at that point in time, the risk of significant revenue reversal abates such that consideration should be added to the transaction
price (and revenue recognized accordingly). Settlement of consideration typically occurs within 24 hours of when a block is won unless
such block is won over a weekend or holiday, in which case settlement can take up to 72 hours.
28
The
Company uses its accounting convention to measure revenue based upon the daily quoted closing U.S. dollar spot rate of bitcoin on the day
the transaction fees and block rewards are settled in the Company’s wallet. This accounting convention does not result
in materially different revenue recognition from using the fair value of the bitcoin earned at contract inception and has been consistently
applied in all periods presented.
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 bitcoin miners, which are largely homogeneous and have approximately the same useful lives.
Accordingly, the Company utilizes the group method of depreciation for its bitcoin miners. The Company updates the estimated useful
lives of its asset group of bitcoin mining rigs periodically as information on the operations of the mining rigs indicates 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 are 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 ASC 820.
Income
taxes
The primary objectives of accounting for income taxes
are (i) to recognize the amount of income taxes payable or refundable for the current year, and (ii) to recognize deferred tax liabilities
and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. The Company
accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740 - “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”), 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 our income tax
benefit or expense and our deferred tax assets and liabilities. We recognize 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 adjust related tax assets and liabilities in light of changing facts and circumstances.
The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce
our deferred tax assets to the net amount that we believe is more likely than not to be realized. Accordingly, the need to establish such
allowance is assessed periodically by considering matters such as future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected
future taxable income, tax planning strategies and results of recent operations.
Recent
Issued Accounting Standards
See
NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES to our consolidated condensed financial statements for a discussion
of recent accounting standards and pronouncements.
Non-GAAP
Financial Measures
We
provide investors with a reconciliation from net loss to the non-GAAP measure known as adjusted EBITDA as a component of Management’s
Discussion and Analysis. For each period in question, we define adjusted EBITDA as (a) GAAP net income (loss) plus (b) adjustments to
add back the impacts of (1) depreciation and amortization, (2) interest expense, (3) income tax expense (benefit) and (4) adjustments
for non-cash and non-recurring items which currently include (i) stock compensation expense, (ii) impairments of patents and (iii) losses
on extinguishment of debt.
29
Adjusted
EBITDA is not a measurement of financial performance under GAAP and, as a result, this measure may not be comparable to similarly titled
measures of other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures are subject to material limitations as they are not in accordance with, or a
substitute for, measurements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA is not meant to be considered in isolation and should
be read only in conjunction with our Interim Reports on Form 10-Q and our Annual Reports on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Management uses both adjusted EBITDA and the supplemental information provided herein as a means of understanding,
managing, and evaluating business performance and to help inform operating decision making. We rely primarily on our consolidated condensed
financial statements to understand, manage, and evaluate our financial performance and use the non-GAAP financial measures only supplementally.
Results
of Operations – Three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022
Financial
Summary Table:
Three
Months Ended March 31,
Favorable
(in thousands)
2023
2022
(Unfavorable)
Total revenues
$ 51,132
$ 51,723
$ (591 )
Costs and expenses
Cost of revenues
Cost of revenues - energy,
hosting and other
(33,377 )
(12,522 )
(20,855 )
Cost
of revenues - depreciation and amortization
(17,733 )
(13,877 )
(3,856 )
Total cost of revenues
(51,110 )
(26,399 )
(24,711 )
Operating
expenses
General and administrative expenses
(15,344 )
(15,515 )
171
Impairment of digital assets
(6,151 )
(17,647 )
11,496
Impairment of patents
—
(919 )
919
Realized gains on digital assets and unrealized
gains (losses) on digital assets loan receivable
17,615
(461 )
18,076
Realized and unrealized
gains (losses) on digital assets held within Investment Fund
—
(5,328 )
5,328
Total
operating expenses
(3,880 )
(39,870 )
35,990
Operating loss
(3,858 )
(14,546 )
10,688
Other non-operating income
791
247
544
Loss from extinguishment of debt
(333 )
—
(333 )
Interest expense
(3,760 )
(2,814 )
(946 )
Loss before income taxes
(7,160 )
(17,113 )
9,953
Income tax benefit (expense)
(75 )
4,262
(4,337 )
Net
loss
$ (7,235 )
$ (12,851 )
$ 5,616
Supplemental
information:
Bitcoin (“BTC”) production during
the period, in whole BTC
2,195
1,259
936
Average BTC per day, in whole BTC
24.4
14.0
10.4
Total margin (total revenues less total cost
of revenues)
$ 22
$ 25,324
$ (25,302 )
Total margin excluding depreciation and amortization
$ 17,755
$ 39,201
$ (21,446 )
General and administrative expenses excluding
stock-based compensation
$ (11,399 )
$ (6,240 )
$ (5,159 )
Installed Hash Rate (Exahashes per second)
- at end of period (1)
15.4
3.9
11.5
Energized Hash Rate (Exahashes per second)
- at end of period (1)
11.5
3.9
7.6
Reconciliation
to Adjusted EBITDA:
Net (loss)
$ (7,235 )
$ (12,851 )
$ 5,616
Exclude: Interest expense
3,760
2,814
946
Exclude:
Income tax expense (benefit)
75
(4,262 )
4,337
EBIT
(3,400 )
(14,299 )
10,899
Exclude:
Depreciation and amortization
17,733
13,877
3,856
EBITDA
14,333
(422 )
14,755
Stock compensation expense
3,945
9,275
(5,330 )
Loss from extinguishment
of debt
333
—
333
Impairment of patents
—
919
(919 )
Adjusted
EBITDA
$ 18,611
$ 9,772
$ 8,839
(1)
The Company defines Energized
Hash Rate as the total hash rate that could theoretically be generated if all mining rigs that have been operational / energized are
currently in operation and running at 100% of the manufacturers’ specifications (includes mining servers that are offline for
maintenance or similar reasons). The Company uses this metric as an indicator of progress in bringing rigs on-line. The Company defines
Installed Hash Rate as the sum of Energized Hash Rate and hash rate that has been installed but is not yet operational (e.g. mining
rigs that have been installed, but are not yet energized and in operation). The Company uses this metric as an indicator of progress
in deploying mining rigs at its production sites. Hash rates are estimates based on the manufacturers’ specifications. All figures
are rounded.
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 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 significant impact on
the Company’s ability to generate bitcoin in any given period.
30
Revenues :
We generated revenues of $51,132 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared with $51,723 thousand in the prior-year
period. The $591 thousand decrease in revenue was primarily driven by a $39,044 thousand decrease in revenue resulting from lower bitcoin
prices in the current year period, partially offset by increased revenues of $38,453 thousand related to a 74% increase in production
year-over-year. Average daily bitcoin production was 24.4 bitcoin in the current year period compared with 14.0 in the prior-year
period, reflecting the increasing scale of our operations.
Cost
of revenues : Cost of revenues – energy, hosting and other during the three months ended March 31, 2023, totaled
$33,377 thousand compared with $12,522 thousand in the prior-year period. The $20,855 thousand increase was driven by higher production
costs of $17,022 thousand, and the impact of increased bitcoin production of $6,974 thousand partially offset by the absence of accelerated
costs associated with the exit of the Hardin facility in the prior-year period of $3,141 thousand. Cost of revenues – depreciation
and amortization during the three months ended March 31, 2023, totaled $17,733 thousand compared with $13,877 thousand in the prior-year
period. The increase in depreciation was primarily related to an increase in mining rigs in operation related to the increased scale
of the business partially offset by the absence of accelerated depreciation of $4,629 thousand recorded in the prior-year period related
to the exit from Hardin.
Total
Margin : Total margin was a loss of $22 thousand in the current three months ended March 31, 2023 compared with income of $25,324
thousand in the prior-year period, a decline of $25,302 thousand. This decline was driven by the factors discussed above, which are summarized
in the table below:
Revenues:
(in thousands)
● Impact
of higher production activity
$ 38,453
● Impact
of lower bitcoin market prices
(39,044 )
Cost of revenues – energy, hosting
and other:
● Impact
of higher unit costs
(17,022 )
● Impact
of accelerated cost recognition from Hardin exit
3,141
● Impact
of higher production activity
(6,974 )
Cost of revenues – depreciation
and amortization:
● Impact
of accelerated cost recognition from Hardin exit
4,629
● Other,
primarily increased mining rigs in operation
(8,485 )
$ (25,302 )
General
and administrative expenses : General and administrative expenses were $15,344 thousand for the three
months ended March 31, 2023, compared with expenses of $15,515 thousand in the prior-year period. Our general and administrative expenses
included stock-based (non-cash) compensation expense of $3,945 thousand in the current period and $9,275 thousand in the prior-year period.
The decrease in stock-based compensation is primarily related to generally lower value of the Company’s stock when compared to the
prior year partially offset by additional restricted stock unit issuances associated with increases in headcount. General and administrative
expenses excluding stock-based compensation was $11,399 thousand in the current period compared with $6,240 thousand in the prior-year
period. This $5,159 thousand increase in expense was primarily due to the increases associated with the larger scale of the business,
including higher cash compensation and benefits costs of $2,080 thousand (resulting primarily from an increase in headcount from 13 employees
in the prior-year period to over 30 employees in 2023), increased professional fees of $2,358 thousand and increased insurance costs of
$1,158 thousand.
Impairment
of digital assets: We incurred impairments of digital assets during the three months ended
March 31, 2023 of $6,151 thousand compared with impairments of $17,647 thousand in the prior-year period. This decrease in impairment
is primarily related to bitcoin prices that have generally been increasing during the current year period compared with prices that were
generally decreasing during the prior-year period.
Impairment
of patents: The Company recorded an impairment of $919 thousand in the prior-year period related to certain patents no longer
utilized in its business operations.
31
Realized gains on digital assets and unrealized
gains (losses) digital assets loan receivable: The Company recognized realized gains of $17,615 thousand on the sale of approximately
2,900 bitcoin during the three months ended March 31, 2023. There were no such sales in the prior-year period.
We incurred a loss of $461 thousand during the three
months ended March 31, 2022 primarily a result of the decline in fair value of digital asset loan receivable prior to the repayment of
the loan in June, 2022.
Realized
and unrealized gains (losses) on digital assets held within Investment Fund: The Company exited the fund in June 2022 and as
such, there were no such gains or losses in the current year period. Total changes in the fair value of the Company’s
investment fund during the three months ended March 31, 2022 resulted in an unrealized loss of $5,328 thousand.
Other
non-operating income (loss) : Other non-operating income was $791 thousand during the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared
with $247 thousand in the prior-year period. The $544 favorable variance was primarily due to increased interest income.
Loss
on extinguishment of debt : On March 8, 2023 the Company paid $50,000 thousand to Silvergate Bank and terminated its term loan
facility. On that same date, the Company and Silvergate Bank also agreed to terminate the Company’s revolving credit facility (“RLOC”).
Although there were no prepayment penalties associated with these actions, the Company incurred a loss on extinguishment of debt of $333
thousand related to the write-off of the unamortized balance of debt issuance costs associated with the facilities.
Interest
expense : Interest expense increased $946 thousand from the prior-year period as a result of higher interest costs associated
with the company’s term loan facility. The Company incurred interest costs on the $50,000 thousand outstanding balance on the term
loan facility from January 1 through March 8, 2023. There were no borrowings on the term loan facility in the prior-year period.
Income
tax (expense) benefit : The Company recorded income tax expense of $75 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared
with an income tax benefit of $4,262 thousand in the prior-year period. The unfavorable tax variance of $4,337 thousand was primarily
due to the establishment of a valuation allowance in the year ended December 31, 2022, as the Company determined it was more likely than
not that they would not have sufficient future taxable income to realize the Company’s federal and state deferred tax assets.
Net
income (loss) : The Company recorded a net loss of $7,235 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared with net
loss of $12,851 thousand in the prior-year period. This $5,616 thousand improvement in net loss was primarily driven by the impact of
the realized gain on sale of digital assets and favorable variances related to the impairment of digital assets and realized gains and
losses on digital assets held within the investment fund partially offset by lower total margin.
Adjusted
EBITDA : Adjusted EBITDA was $18,611 thousand in the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared with $9,772 thousand in the
prior-year period. The $8,839 thousand increase in adjusted EBITDA was primarily driven by positive impacts of realized gains on
digital assets sold of $17,615 thousand and lower impairment of digital assets of $11,496 thousand. Adjusted EBITDA also benefited
from the absence of several expenses recorded in the prior-year period, including realized and unrealized losses on digital
assets held within the investment fund of $5,328 thousand and realized gains on digital assets and unrealized gains (losses) on
digital assets loan receivable of $461 thousand. These favorable variances were partially offset by lower total margin excluding
depreciation and amortization of $21,446 thousand and higher general and administrative expenses excluding stock-based compensation
of $5,159 thousand.
32
Financial
Condition and Liquidity
Three
Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)
2023
2022
Net cash used in operating activities
$ (28,812 )
$ (26,062 )
Net cash used in investing activities
(72,029 )
(209,425 )
Net cash provided by financing
activities
113,218
85,473
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents
and restricted cash
12,377
(150,014 )
Cash, cash equivalents
and restricted cash — beginning of period
112,505
268,556
Cash, cash equivalents
and restricted cash — end of period
$ 124,882
$ 118,542
Cash
flows: Cash and cash equivalents totaled $124,882 thousand at March 31, 2023, an increase of $12,377 thousand from December 31,
2022. Restricted cash was zero at March 31, 2023, a decrease of $8,800 thousand as the Company replaced cash-collateralized letters of
credit with cash deposits during the quarter as a result of the closure of Signature Bank.
Cash
flows from operating activities resulted in a use of funds of $28,812 thousand, as cash provided from operating activities before
changes in operating assets and liabilities of $5,648 thousand was more than offset by a use of cash of $34,460 thousand from
changes in operating assets and liabilities. Changes in cash flow from operating assets and liabilities were driven by uses of funds
associated with bitcoin production revenues of $50,941 thousand and increases in deposits of $23,124 thousand resulting from
deposits associated with hosting agreements and deposits made as replacements for letters of credit.
Prepaid expenses also increased, resulting in a use of cash of $20,738 thousand as the Company prepaid certain expenses due in early
April as a means of ensuring a smooth transition from Signature Bank in March 2023. These uses of funds were partially offset by
proceeds from the sale of bitcoin of $62,646 thousand.
Cash
flows from investing activities resulted in a use of funds of $72,029 thousand, primarily resulting from investments made as part of the
establishment of the ADGM Entity (a $43,194 thousand use of funds), advances to vendors of $11,565 thousand, and capital expenditures
of $17,270 thousand.
Cash
flows from financing activities resulted in a source of cash of $113,218 thousand, primarily from proceeds from the issuance of
common stock under the Company’s At-The-Market facility of $163,295 thousand partially offset by the repayment of the
Company’s term loan facility of $50,000 thousand. There were no borrowings outstanding under the Company’s revolving
credit facility during the three months ended March 31, 2023. On March 8, 2023, the Company terminated both its term loan and its
RLOC facilities with Silvergate Bank.
Bitcoin
holdings as of March 31, 2023: At March 31, 2023, the Company held approximately 11,466 bitcoin on its balance sheet with a carrying
value of $189,087 thousand. The fair value of a single bitcoin was approximately $28,474. As a result, the fair market value of our bitcoin
holdings at March 31, 2023 was approximately $326,487 thousand. We expect that our future bitcoin holdings will generally increase but
will fluctuate from time-to-time, both in number of bitcoin held and fair value in US dollars, depending upon operating and market conditions.
We intend to add to our bitcoin holdings primarily through our production activities and we also will continue to sell bitcoin as a means
of generating cash to fund monthly operating costs and for general corporate purposes. We do not intend to make any significant purchases
of bitcoin on the open market as means of increasing our bitcoin holdings, although we may buy and sell bitcoin from time-to-time (separately
from what is outlined above) for treasury management purposes.
Liquidity
outlook: Cash and cash equivalents totaled $124,882 thousand at March 31, 2023. The Company expects to have sufficient liquidity,
including cash on hand, cash received from sales of our bitcoin holdings, and access to public capital markets, to support ongoing operations.
We will continue to seek to fund our business activities, and especially our growth opportunities, through the public capital markets,
primarily through periodic equity issuances using our At-The-Market facility.
The
risks to our liquidity outlook would include events that materially diminish our access to capital markets and/or the value of our bitcoin
holdings and production capabilities, including:
● Failure
to effectively execute our growth strategies.
● Challenges
in the bitcoin mining space and/or additional contagion events (like the FTX collapse) that
would damage the credibility of, and therefore investor confidence in, companies engaged
in the digital assets space.
● Declines
in bitcoin prices and/or production, which would impact both the value of our bitcoin holdings
and our 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.
● Deteriorating
macroeconomic conditions (for example a recession in 2023 that is deeper or longer than current
expectations).
Off-balance
Sheet Arrangements
None.
33
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 discussed in the forward-looking statements.
Market
Price Risk of Bitcoin. The Company holds a significant amount of bitcoin; therefore, it is exposed to the impact of market price
changes in bitcoin on its bitcoin holdings. This exposure would generally manifest itself in the following areas:
● We
account for our bitcoin holdings as indefinite lived intangible assets and we record impairment
charges whenever the carrying value of our bitcoin holdings on the balance sheet exceeds
their fair market value. Subsequent recovery of bitcoin prices would not impact the carrying
value of bitcoin on the balance sheet, as recovery of previously recorded impairment charges
are not allowed under US GAAP.
● Declines
in the fair market value of bitcoin also 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.
At
March 31, 2023, the Company held approximately 11,466 bitcoin and the fair value of a single bitcoin was approximately $28,474, meaning
that the fair value of our bitcoin holdings on that date was approximately $326,487 thousand.
Interest
rate risk. Prior to the termination of its credit facilities on March 8, 2023, the Company was exposed to interest rate risk
as both our Term Loan and RLOC facilities called for interest at a variable rate tied to the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate, which was
7.75% as of March 8, 2023. Our Term Loan facility called for interest rates at the WSJ Prime rate plus a margin of 1.75% or 9.50% as
of March 8, 2023. Our RLOC facility called for interest rates at the WSJ Prime rate plus a margin that varies based on the collateral
posted as follows:
● 1.25%
margin (9.00% currently) if the RLOC LTV Ratio is less than 40%
● 2.00%
margin (9.75% currently) if the RLOC LTV Ratio is greater than 40% but less than 55%
● 2.75%
margin (10.50% currently) if the RLOC LTV Ratio is greater than 55%
Item
4. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation
of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our
management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of
our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end
of the period covered by this Interim 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 we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated
to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
Based on this evaluation, our management concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective at the reasonable assurance
level as of March 31, 2023 due to the following material weaknesses.
Material
Weaknesses in Internal Control and Plan for Remediation
Based
on its evaluation, management identified material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting. These material weaknesses
included:
●
a
material weakness related to the application and interpretation of generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”)
that resulted in errors in four specific accounting areas, including consolidation, impairment of digital assets, disposal of property
and equipment and principal versus agent considerations in revenue recognition.
●
a
material weakness related to the design and implementation of user access controls to ensure
appropriate segregation of duties, or program change management controls for certain financially relevant systems impacting the Company’s
processes around revenue recognition and digital assets to ensure that IT program and data changes affecting the Company’s
(i) financial IT applications, (ii) digital currency mining equipment, and (iii) underlying accounting records, are identified, tested,
authorized and implemented appropriately to validate that data produced by its relevant IT system(s) were complete and accurate.
Automated process-level controls and manual controls that are dependent upon the information derived from such financially relevant
systems were also determined to be ineffective as a result of such deficiency.
●
a
material weakness related to the ineffective design of a key
manual control to detect material misstatements in revenue.
These
material weaknesses create a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement to our consolidated financial statements or disclosures
would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
Remediation
Our
Board of Directors and management take internal control over financial reporting and the integrity of our 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
the process we started during 2022 of adding to our internal resources to enhance our capabilities in the areas of technical accounting,
financial reporting, and internal controls, including a full time person dedicated to internal controls
●
Continue
the process started during 2022 of utilizing external third-party technical accounting resources to supplement our ability to interpret
and apply GAAP as we continue to build our internal capabilities in these areas
34
●
Continue
to utilize external third-party audit and SOX 404 implementation firms to enable the Company to improve the Company’s controls
related to our material weaknesses.
●
Continue
to evaluate existing processes and implement new processes and controls where necessary in connection with remediating our material
weaknesses, such that these controls are designed,
implemented, and operating effectively
We
recognize that the material weaknesses in our 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 our remediation efforts are ongoing, we cannot provide any assurance that these remediation efforts will be successful or that
our internal control over financial reporting will be effective as a result of these efforts.
We
continue to evaluate and work to improve our 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, we will report the progress and status of the above remediation efforts to the Audit Committee on a periodic
basis.
As
part of our ongoing program to implement changes and further improve our internal controls and in conjunction with our Code of Ethics,
our independent directors have been working with management to include protocols and measures aimed at ensuring quality of our 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
Changes
in Internal Controls.
There
have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2023 that have materially
affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting other than the ongoing remediation efforts undertaken by management.
We
have engaged accounting consultants to aid us in remediating the issues identified in our Form 10-K for 2022 to ensure consistent and
appropriate financial reporting in those areas identified.
PART
II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item
1. Legal Proceedings
Compute
North Bankruptcy
On
September 22, 2022, Compute North Holdings, Inc. (currently d/b/a Mining Project Wind Down Holdings, Inc.) and certain of its affiliates
(collectively, “Compute North”) filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Compute North provided operating services to
the Company and hosted our mining rigs at multiple facilities. We delivered miners to Compute North, which then installed the mining
rigs at those facilities, operated and maintained the mining rigs, and provided energy to keep the miners operating. During the course
of the chapter 11 cases, Compute North sold substantially all of their assets in a series of 363 sale transactions, including Compute
North’s ownership interests in non-debtor entities that own or partially-own facilities that house our miners.
On
November 23, 2022, the Company and certain of its affiliates timely filed proofs of claim asserting various claims against Compute North,
including: (i) claims arising under hosting agreements between the Company and Compute North LLC; (ii) claims arising under that certain
Senior Promissory Note, dated as of July 1, 2022, by and between the Company, as Lender, and Compute North LLC, as Borrower; (iii) claims
arising from the breach of a letter of intent between us and Compute North LLC; and (iv) claims for daily lost revenue, profits and other
damages against Compute North.
On
February 9, 2023, the Bankruptcy Court approved a settlement stipulation between the Company and Compute North, pursuant to which the
proofs of claim filed by the Company and certain of its affiliates were resolved, and the Company received a single allowed unsecured
claim against Compute North LLC in the amount of $40,000,000 and its Preferred Equity Interests in Compute North Holdings, Inc. in the
amount of 39,597 shares of Series C Preferred Stock was confirmed. In exchange, the Company agreed to vote in favor of Compute North’s
chapter 11 plan.
On
February 16, 2023, the Bankruptcy Court confirmed Compute North’s chapter 11 plan (the “Plan”), pursuant to which Compute
North will liquidate its remaining assets and distribute proceeds arising therefrom in accordance with the waterfall set forth in the
Plan. In its disclosure statement filed on December 19, 2022, the Compute North Debtors projected that holders of allowed general unsecured
claims could recover anywhere between 8% to 65% on their claims, while holders of preferred equity interests are expected to recover
nothing on their interests. The Plan became effective on March 31, 2023. At this time, the Company cannot predict the quantum of its
potential recovery on account of its allowed general unsecured claim and preferred equity interests or the timing of when it would receive
any distributions under the Plan on account of its claims and interests.
35
Derivative
Complaints
On
February 18, 2022, a 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 of directors and senior management. The complaint is based on allegations substantially
similar to the allegations in the December 2021 putative class action complaint, related to the Company’s disclosure of an SEC
investigation previously made by the Company on November 15, 2021. On March 4, 2022, the complaint was served on the Company. On April
4, 2022, the defendants moved to dismiss the complaint.
On
May 5, 2022, 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 of directors and senior management. The second shareholder derivative complaint
is based on allegations substantially similar to the allegations in the February 18, 2022 derivative complaint. On May 11, 2022, the
defendants moved to dismiss the second shareholder derivative complaint.
On
June 1, 2022, the Court entered an order consolidating the two derivative actions. A June 13, 2022 scheduling order provided for plaintiffs
to file a consolidated complaint and for renewed motions to dismiss the consolidated shareholder derivative complaint. On November 22,
2022, before a consolidated complaint was due, plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed both actions without prejudice. On November 23, 2022,
both actions were closed.
Putative
Class Action Complaint
On
December 17, 2021, 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. The complaint alleges securities fraud related to the disclosure of an SEC investigation
previously made by the Company on November 15, 2021. Plaintiff Tad Schlatre served the complaint on the Company on March 1, 2022. On
September 12, 2022, the court appointed Carlos Marina as lead plaintiff. On October 21, 2022, lead plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the
complaint without prejudice. On December 7, 2022, the action was closed.
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. The complaint alleges securities fraud related to the Company’s announcement
of accounting restatements on February 28, 2023. Plaintiff has not served the complaint on the Company.
Information
Subpoenas
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, MT. In conjunction therewith, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K on October 13, 2020. The 8-K discloses 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. 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 described in our Form 8-K dated October 13, 2020. The Company received an additional subpoena from the SEC on April 10, 2023,
relating to, among other things, transactions with related parties. We understand that the SEC may be investigating whether or not there
may have been any violations of the federal securities law. We are cooperating with the SEC.
36
Ho v. Marathon
On
January 14, 2021, Plaintiff Michael Ho (“Plaintiff” or “Ho”) filed a Civil Complaint for Damages and Restitution
(“Complaint”) against the Company. The Complaint alleges six causes of action against the Company, (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. The claims arise from the same set of facts. Ho alleges
that the Company profited from commercially-sensitive information he shared with the Company and then it refused to compensate him for
his role in securing the acquisition of a supplier of energy for the Company. On February 22, 2021, the Company responded to Mr. Ho’s
Complaint with a general denial and the assertion of applicable affirmative defenses. Then, on February 25, 2021, the Company removed
the action to the United States District Court in the Central District of California, where the action remains pending. The Company filed
a motion for summary judgment/adjudication of all causes of action. On February 11, 2022, the Court granted the motion and dismissed
Ho’s 2nd, 5th and 6th causes of action. Discovery is substantially closed. The Court held a pre-trial conference on February 24,
2022, where it vacated the March 3, 2022 trial date and ordered the parties to meet and confer on a new trial date. The Court discussed
the various theories of damages maintained by the parties. In its ruling on the summary judgment motion and at the pre-trial conference
on February 24, 2022, the Court noted that a jury is more likely to accept $150,000 as an appropriate damages amount if liability is
found, as opposed to the various theories espoused by Ho that result in multi-million-dollar recoveries. Due to outstanding issues of
fact and law, it is impossible to predict the outcome at this time; however, after consulting legal counsel, the Company is confident
that it will prevail in this litigation, since it did not have a contract with Mr. Ho and he did not disclose any commercially-sensitive
information under any mutual nondisclosure agreement that was used to structure any joint venture with energy providers. The trial has
been rescheduled for January 29, 2024, and is scheduled for four days, including jury selection.
Item
1A. Risk Factors.
There
are no updates or changes to the risk factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022except
as set forth below.
Further
significant disruptions in the crypto asset markets, such as those experienced in the second half of 2022, may cause further material
impairment of the value and use of our mining rigs.
During
the fourth quarter of 2022, the per coin price of bitcoin reached a low of approximately $15,500 from a high of high of almost
$21,500 earlier in the quarter. This decrease in the price of bitcoin combined with the general market sentiment caused in
large part by the FTX collapse and various bitcoin company related bankruptcies and restructurings led to a material decline in the
fair value of our mining rigs and deposits for future mining rig purchases. As a result, we recorded an impairment charge of
$332,933 thousand on these assets during that period, although operations were unaffected and continued throughout. Furthermore,
future decreases in the value of bitcoin could cause us to record additional impairments in the value of these and future mining rig
assets.
In
addition, if bitcoin prices dropped to levels below that experienced in 2022 and held at those levels for a significant period of time,
it could impact our profitability to the point that we would have to consider whether there would be less diminution of value if we were
to leave certain of our miners to idle until the price of bitcoin recovered.
Theoretically, there is a minimum bitcoin price that is
so low that Marathon would want to turn off its miners. However, this is a complex projection involving multiple ever-changing, dynamic
variables. Marathon has multiple mining sites and hosting partners, all with different hosting prices, electricity prices, and contract
structures. These costs, some fixed and some variable, would need to be compared to the current revenue being produced by the miners.
Item
2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
None.
Item
3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
None.
Item
4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not
applicable.
37
Item
5. Other Information.
Not
applicable.
Item
6. Exhibits.
10.1
NYDIG
Custodial Agreement
31.1
Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
31.2
Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
32.1
Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
32.2
Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
101.ins
Inline
XBRL Instance Document**
101.sch
Inline
XBRL Taxonomy Schema Document**
101.cal
Inline
XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Document**
101.def
Inline
XBRL Taxonomy Linkbase Document**
101.lab
Inline
XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document**
101.pre
Inline
XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document**
104
Inline
XBRL
*
Furnished
herewith
**
Filed
herein
38
SIGNATURES
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.
Date:
May 10, 2023
MARATHON
DIGITAL HOLDINGS, INC.
By:
/s/
Fred Thiel
Name:
Fred
Thiel
Title:
Chief
Executive Officer
(Principal
Executive Officer)
By:
/s/
Hugh Gallagher
Name:
Hugh
Gallagher
Title:
Chief
Financial Officer
(Principal
Financial Officer)
39
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.