Bitcoin mining firm MARA Holdings has finalized its acquisition of a majority stake in French computing infrastructure operator Exaion. The deal, which gives MARA France a 64% stake, is part of a strategic push into artificial intelligence and cloud services amid growing pressure on traditional mining economics. The transaction also includes a partnership with NJJ Capital, which will take a 10% stake in MARA France.
MARA Holdings has completed the purchase of a majority stake in French computing infrastructure operator Exaion. This deepens its push into artificial intelligence and cloud services.
The deal gives MARA France a 64% stake in Exaion after required regulatory approvals were secured. French energy giant EDF will remain a minority shareholder and continue as a customer.
The investment also creates a broader alliance with NJJ Capital, the investment vehicle of telecom entrepreneur Xavier Niel. NJJ will acquire a 10% stake in MARA France as part of the partnership.
Governance of Exaion will reflect the new ownership structure. The company’s board will include three representatives from MARA, three from EDF Pulse Ventures and one from NJJ, alongside the chief executive.
Bitcoin mining companies are increasingly turning to AI and data center computing as pressure on mining economics grows. Several publicly traded miners are adopting a hybrid model, building steadier revenue from AI cloud services.
HIVE Digital Technologies reported strong results supported by expanding AI operations. Other firms, including TeraWulf, Hut 8, IREN and MARA, are also repurposing mining facilities into AI data centers.
In November last year, CleanSpark announced plans to raise roughly $1.13 billion through a convertible note offering. The funds were intended to fund expansion of its Bitcoin mining and data center operations.
Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s mining difficulty rose about 15% to 144.4 trillion. This reversed an 11% drop earlier in the month, the steepest decline since China’s 2021 mining ban.
The earlier fall followed severe winter storms across the United States that disrupted power grids. This temporarily forced many miners offline, sharply reducing the hash rate.
