MARA Holdings, a prominent Bitcoin mining company, has significantly expanded its presence in advanced computing by acquiring a 64% controlling stake in Exaion, a French firm specializing in AI-ready data centers and high-performance computing.
This strategic move positions MARA Holdings to leverage Exaion's expertise in digital infrastructure. Fred Thiel, CEO of MARA, will join Exaion's Board of Directors, underscoring MARA's active engagement in the company's technological direction.
The transaction sees French energy giant EDF Group retain a minority stake and continue as a customer of Exaion. A prior partnership involving MARA, NJJ Capital, and EDF Pulse Ventures supported Exaion's growth.
In parallel, MARA Inc. and NJJ Capital have formed a strategic partnership, with NJJ acquiring a 10% stake in MARA France.
Exaion's Board of Directors has been reorganized to include representatives from MARA Inc., EDF Pulse Ventures, and NJJ Capital, with both Fred Thiel and Xavier Niel, founder of NJJ Capital, joining the board.
Separately, Bitcoin mining difficulty has risen to 144.40 trillion, indicating increased technical demands and the need for highly efficient hardware and energy resources in the current mining environment.