Bitaigen Research 
In this article we outline why the Bitcoin mining firm MARA decided to move into AI data centers, and the potential impact this positioning may have on industry competition and profit models. By dissecting the underlying technological synergies and capital allocation, readers can grasp the latest trends at the intersection of mining and artificial intelligence—material worth a careful read.
Bitcoin Mining Difficulty Jumps 15%
On Friday of this week, the Bitcoin network’s mining difficulty rose again, climbing roughly 15% and approaching the 1.444 quadrillion mark. This swing reverses the 11% decline observed earlier in the month, which was triggered by severe winter storms across multiple U.S. states that caused grid outages and a sharp drop in hash power. It also represents the largest difficulty rebound since China’s 2021 ban on Bitcoin mining. While a higher difficulty further secures Bitcoin’s network, it also means that each newly minted block will require substantially more computational resources, intensifying profit pressures for mining operations already operating under tight cost constraints.
Bitcoin Miners Turn to Artificial Intelligence Under Pressure
Facing shrinking mining margins, an increasing number of Bitcoin mining companies are exploring artificial intelligence (AI) and high‑performance computing (HPC) services in order to build a more resilient revenue structure. The post‑halving reduction in block rewards in 2024, combined with the upward trend in network difficulty, makes a mining‑only business model increasingly untenable, giving rise to a “mining + AI” hybrid operational trend.
- HIVE Digital Technologies continued to post impressive results during the recent dip in Bitcoin prices, largely thanks to the rapid expansion of its AI business.
- CoreWeave has already transitioned from traditional cryptocurrency mining to become a supplier focused on AI infrastructure, filling the market gap left by the decline in GPU‑mining demand.
- Several miners—including TeraWulf, Hut 8, IREN, and MARA—are re‑configuring existing mining facilities and energy capacity into AI data centers.
In November of last year, CleanSpark raised approximately USD 1.13 billion by issuing USD 1.15 billion of senior convertible notes to fund the expansion of its Bitcoin mining and data‑center operations. If the entire issuance is fully subscribed, the total financing could reach up to USD 1.28 billion.
MARA Acquires Majority Stake in Exaion
Against this backdrop of industry transformation, MARA Holdings has completed the acquisition of a 64 % stake in French compute‑infrastructure operator Exaion, further solidifying its foothold in AI and cloud services. The deal was first announced in August 2025 with EDF Pulse Ventures, and after receiving regulatory clearance it became effective. French energy giant EDF will retain a minority share and continue to act as a business customer.
At the same time, telecommunications entrepreneur Xavier Niel’s investment platform NJJ Capital will acquire a 10 % stake in MARA’s French operations, deepening the partnership between the two parties within the data‑center sector.
Corporate Governance and Board Composition
Following the acquisition, Exaion’s governance structure will be adjusted to reflect the new ownership proportions. The reconstituted board will include three representatives from MARA, three from EDF Pulse Ventures, one from NJJ, and the CEO‑co‑founder of Exaion. Xavier Niel himself and MARA’s CEO Fred Thiel will also join the board, participating in strategic decision‑making.
Market Reaction
To date, MARA’s share price has fallen roughly 17 % year‑to‑date, according to data from Google Finance.
The above provides a complete overview of Bitcoin mining firm MARA’s acquisition of a majority stake in AI data‑center company Exaion. For further updates, stay tuned to Bitaigen (比特根).
Related Reading
- Bitcoin Miners Deploy 30 GW AI Compute to Ease Hash‑Rate Pressure
- Bitcoin Mining 2026: Capture Gains in Trillion‑Dollar Market
- Bitcoin Mining Shareholding Disclosures Trigger Stock Moves
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⚠️ Risk Disclaimer: Crypto prices are highly volatile. This is not investment advice.
