MARA’s $87.3 Million AI Expansion: Exaion Stake Secured

• Bitcoin miner Marathon Digital Holdings has acquired an 84.88% stake in Exaion, a French subsidiary specializing in AI and HPC.
• The $87.3 million deal marks MARA’s strategic shift into scalable cloud solutions and diversification beyond cryptocurrency mining.

On August 12, 2025, Marathon Digital Holdings announced it acquired an 84.88% controlling stake in Exaion, a French firm specializing in artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC). This $87.3 million cash and stock deal reflects MARA’s strategy to reduce its reliance on the cryptocurrency mining sector and enter the rapidly growing AI and HPC markets.

Exaion is a subsidiary of EDF, a major producer of low-carbon energy, and provides expertise in energy-efficient and scalable computing infrastructure. The firm has also established partnerships with industry leaders like NVIDIA, Deloitte, and 2CRSI. These collaborations, along with Exaion’s established platform, will enhance MARA’s ability to deliver secure, energy-efficient solutions to government and enterprise clients.

According to MARA CEO Fred Thiel, the partnership will support the development of secure and scalable cloud solutions for the future of AI. He emphasized that data protection and energy efficiency are critical factors in the AI and cloud ecosystems, adding that the acquisition also positions Exaion for international expansion. Meanwhile, EDF will remain a minority shareholder and client, which signals confidence in Exaion's future growth.

This acquisition comes as the cryptocurrency mining industry faces increased challenges, including rising mining difficulty and greater demands for energy efficiency. By diversifying into AI and HPC, MARA aims to stabilize its revenue streams and position itself for long-term success. The company expects the transaction to close in the second quarter of 2025.

According to CoinMarketCap, as of 14:00 UTC on August 12, Bitcoin (BTC) was trading at $61,288.94.