MARA Holdings, Inc. is strategically expanding into artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) with its acquisition of a 64% stake in Exaion, a subsidiary of Électricité de France (EDF). The deal, valued at approximately $168 million, is projected to be finalized in the fourth quarter of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals.
Exaion, established in 2020, specializes in the development and operation of HPC data centers, offering secure cloud and AI infrastructure services. The company has secured key partnerships with industry leaders including NVIDIA, Deloitte, and 2CRSI. MARA Holdings, with its background in digital energy and infrastructure, views this acquisition as a crucial step to enhance its capabilities and meet the increasing demand for advanced computing resources, positioning itself at the forefront of the AI and HPC sectors.
The acquisition includes an option for MARA to increase its ownership to 75% by 2027, contingent on meeting specific performance milestones, which would involve an additional investment of $127 million. Following the transaction, EDF will retain a minority interest in Exaion and continue as a client. Fred Thiel, MARA's Chairman and CEO, expressed optimism about the synergistic potential, stating, "Our collaboration with Exaion brings together two global leaders in data center development and digital energy. This synergy will enable us to deliver secure, scalable cloud solutions tailored for the future of AI."
This strategic move by MARA Holdings aligns with a broader industry trend of companies diversifying portfolios to capitalize on the high-growth potential of AI and HPC. Exaion's established expertise and strategic alliances provide MARA with an immediate ecosystem of valuable relationships and technical capabilities. The integration of Exaion's platform is expected to significantly bolster MARA's service offerings, preparing the company to meet the evolving demands of the digital era.