MARA (NASDAQ:MARA) Holdings Inc, also known as Marathon Digital Holdings Inc., is a digital asset technology company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. The blockchain technology-based mining company specializes in producing digital assets like Bitcoin.
The company was formerly known as Marathon Patent Group and was a patent-holding company that held patents but did not produce products, instead operating as a patent trolling company that purchases patents and then takes legal action against patent infringers. In 2020 Marathon Patent Group changed its name to MARA Holdings Inc.
It partnered with the Hardin Generating Station Montana coal plant to power the adjacently constructed MARA bitcoin mining center.
The company's leadership team comprises experienced professionals with finance, law and technology backgrounds. The chief executive officer is Fred Thiel, who replaced Merrick Okamoto as the CEO and Chairman of the Board. Fred Thiel previously worked as MARA's Lead Independent Director.
Other notable executive management team members include Hugh Gallagher, the Chief Financial Officer with over thirty years of experience in capital markets, investment analysis and treasury management.
Also notable is Ashu Swami, the Chief Technology Officer, an experienced chip designer, crypto and DeFi expert. Ashu Swami brings MARA deep technical, regulatory and market expertise. Ashu Swami joins MARA Holdings from his previous employer Core Scientific, where he served as the chief product officer, leading the company's foray into DeFi and heading mining hardware and software optimization.
MARA Holdings has experienced growth issues since its inception, with the stock price dropping from its IPO price of $100 to around $8. The company's gross profit margins have improved over time, but the company's blended profit margin since the IPO is about -180%.
The company has debt levels that have remained at approximately 50% of its asset value. In December 2020, MARA Holdings completed a public offering of common stock, raising $250 million in net proceeds.
MARA Holdings trades at a price-to-earnings ratio higher than the industry average, and the company's price-to-book ratio is more than twice the industry average. These metrics suggest that MARA Holdings is valued at a premium over its industry peers.
The company's stock price has experienced significant volatility in recent years, especially after the bitcoin crash of 2021. Trading volume has been higher than industry peers averaging around 31 million daily shares.
MARA Holdings operates in the rapidly growing blockchain technology industry, which has been gaining mainstream attention in recent years. The industry is characterized by high competition, with a few dominant players and many smaller firms. The industry is also subject to regulatory and political risks, with many governments worldwide taking different approaches to regulating cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology.
MARA Holdings has several potential growth opportunities, including expanding its mining operations, launching new digital asset products and exploring partnerships with other blockchain technology companies. The company has recently invested in new mining equipment, which is expected to increase its mining capacity significantly. The company is also exploring new products, such as the potential launch of a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund.
MARA Holdings is subject to significant price fluctuations, impacting the company's revenue and profitability. The regulatory environment surrounding blockchain technology is still determined, and regulation changes could affect the company's operations. The industry is subject to intense competition, and MARA Holdings must continue to innovate and stay ahead of its competitors.
Another challenge for MARA Holdings is the reliance on the Bitcoin mining industry. If the Bitcoin network experiences significant disruptions or a decline in popularity, it could negatively impact the company's revenue and profitability.
The company is also subject to operational risks, such as cybersecurity threats, equipment failure and electricity and internet connectivity availability. These risks could impact the company's ability to mine digital assets and generate revenue.
