
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q1 2024, the company reported a net loss of $11.7 million, compared to a net loss of $6.9 million in Q1 2023, indicating a deterioration in financial performance [6] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 2024 was approximately $1.9 million, down from $4.2 million in Q1 2023, reflecting challenges in operational effectiveness [7] - The average breakeven cost for bitcoin mining increased to approximately $34,000 in Q1 2024 from $23,800 in Q4 2023, driven by rising energy costs and mining difficulty [14][25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company mined approximately 142 bitcoin in Q1 2024, generating mining revenues of $7.5 million, up from $4.8 million in the same period last year [14] - The daily average global hash rate increased by 88% year-over-year, contributing to the company's operational metrics [4] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Bitcoin's price surged from $22,830 to $52,746, a 131% increase, enhancing profitability for each bitcoin mined [5] - The company’s self-mining hash rate reached approximately 0.94 exahash per second, with plans to expand towards a target of 10 exahash [24][11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to expand its hash rate in an accretive manner through organic growth and M&A, focusing on distressed asset acquisitions [11][21] - The management emphasizes maintaining a low-cost structure and driving operational efficiencies to remain competitive in the industry [11][10] - The company has initiated a share buyback program, allowing for the repurchase of up to $5 million of common stock, reflecting confidence in its strategy [12] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management highlighted the impact of the bitcoin halving event, which is expected to lead to industry consolidation, positioning the company as a potential consolidator [13] - The management expressed optimism about the future, citing a commitment to environmental stewardship and maintaining a carbon-neutral operation [11][10] Other Important Information - The company reported cash and cash equivalents of approximately $1.7 million and $4.2 million in bitcoin as of March 31, 2024, indicating a stable liquidity position [8] - The increase in debt reported is attributed to the structure being denominated in bitcoin, reflecting the correlation with bitcoin's price [9] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you talk about your strategy utilizing both the ATM and the buyback? - The company views both tools as part of a good capital management strategy, considering share buybacks when the stock price is deemed unreasonably low [28][29] Question: Can you quantify the risk related to the PPP loan investigation? - Management indicated that the risk is currently unquantifiable, but the note was for about $2.2 million, with a remote probability of significant issues arising [32][36] Question: What opportunities do you see for M&A? - The company is actively exploring distressed asset acquisitions, with a focus on companies that are struggling post-halving due to lack of capital [37] Question: What are your organic growth opportunities? - Management stated that M&A will likely trigger organic growth, as they prefer to avoid significant capital raises at this time [39] Question: How do you view your debt levels? - The company clarified that its bitcoin-denominated debt is fully hedged and does not pose a risk, despite appearing larger on the balance sheet due to market valuation changes [49] Question: What is your strategy regarding geographic positioning? - The company is open to opportunities globally, prioritizing regions with good rule of law and favorable economics for operations [60][62]