Q2 2025 Bit Digital Inc Earnings Call
Speaker #1: We're just giving a few more moments for attendees to dial in, so thank you for your patience. While we wait, please note that during this call, all participant lines will be in a listen-only mode.
Speaker #1: Following the officer's update, we will open the floor for a question-and-answer session. If you have a question at that time, simply press star one on your telephone keypad.
Speaker #1: Also, as a reminder, today's conference is being recorded. I'll now hand it over to your host, Cameron Schnier, Head of Investor Relations at Bit Digital.
Speaker #1: Cameron, the floor is yours.
Speaker #2: Thank you. Good morning and welcome to the Bit Digital second quarter 2025 earnings call. Joining us on the call today are Samir Tabar, Chief Executive Officer, and Erke Huang, Chief Financial Officer.
Cameron Schnier: Thank you. Good morning and welcome to the Bit Digital, Inc. Second Quarter 2025 earnings call. Joining us on the call today are Sam Tabar, Chief Executive Officer, and Eric Wong, Chief Financial Officer. Before we begin, I would like to remind all participants that some of the statements we will be making today are forward-looking. These matters involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our results to differ materially from those projected in these statements. I therefore refer you to yesterday's 10-Q filing and our other SEC filings. Our comment today may also include non-GAAP financial measures. Additional details and reconciliation of the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures can be found in our 10-K filing, which is on our website. After our prepared remarks, we will open the call up for questions. If you would like to ask a question, please hit star one on your keypad.
Speaker #2: Before we begin, I would like to remind all participants that some of the statements we will be making today are forward-looking. These matters involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our results to differ materially from those projected in these statements.
Speaker #2: I therefore refer you to yesterday's 10-Q filing and our other SEC filings. Our comments today may also include non-GAAP financial measures. Additional details and reconciliation of the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures can be found in our 10-Q filing, which is on our website.
Speaker #2: After our prepared remarks, we'll open the call up for questions. If you'd like to ask a question, please hit star 1 on your keypad.
Speaker #2: With that covered, I will turn the call over to Sam to discuss her performance. Sam?
Cameron Schnier: With that covered, I will turn the call over to Sam to discuss our performance. Sam?
Speaker #3: Thank you, Cam. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us on the call today. The past few months have been busy for our team, to say the least.
Sam Tabar: Thank you, Cam. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us on the call today. The past few months have been busy for our team, to say the least. The word transformation is likely overused in earnings calls, but Bit Digital, Inc. has truly transformed since the end of the first quarter. In June, we announced our transition to an Ethereum treasury and staking platform. Last week, we completed the IPO of White Fiber. Our former wholly owned subsidiary is now a standalone AI infrastructure company. These two steps reshape our business and our strategy. Our focus going forward is simple. We want to build one of the largest institutional ETH balance sheets in the public markets and generate scalable staking yield for our shareholders. We aim to do this through strategic and prudent capital allocation.
Speaker #3: The word "transformation" is likely overused in earnings calls, but Bit Digital has truly transformed since the end of the first quarter. In June, we announced our transition to an Ethereum treasury and staking platform.
Speaker #3: Last week, we completed the IPO of White Fiber. Our former wholly-owned subsidiary is now a standalone AI infrastructure company. These two steps reshape our business and our strategy.
Speaker #3: Our focus going forward is simple. We want to build one of the largest institutional ETH balance sheets in the public markets and generate scalable staking yield for our shareholders.
Speaker #3: We aim to do this through strategic and prudent capital allocation. Although White Fiber is now a standalone public company, our ownership and retained rights currently require us to consolidate its results in our financials under U.S. GAAP.
Sam Tabar: Although White Fiber is now a standalone public company, our ownership and retained rights currently require us to consolidate its results in our financials under U.S. GAAP. The portion we do not own will be shown as a non-controlling interest. That will remain the case unless and until our ownership or control falls below the threshold required for consolidation. We believe the White Fiber IPO is the best way to unlock value for our shareholders. We have created two focused independent platforms. With the White Fiber IPO behind us, we are now laser-focused on making Bit Digital, Inc. the largest ETH treasury platform in the public markets. Yes, you can call this a reboot. Bit Digital, Inc. is now finally in a position to scale as a pure-play Ethereum treasury and staking company.
Speaker #3: The portion we do not own will be shown as a non-controlling interest. That will remain the case unless and until our ownership or control falls below the threshold required for consolidation.
Speaker #3: We believe that the White Fiber IPO is the best way to unlock value for our shareholders. We have created two focused independent platforms. With the White Fiber IPO behind us, we are now laser-focused on making Bit Digital the largest ETH treasury platform in the public markets.
Speaker #3: Yes, you can call this a reboot. Bit Digital is now finally in a position to scale as a pure-play Ethereum treasury and staking company.
Speaker #3: White Fiber, meanwhile, has the flexibility to pursue its own growth strategy as a standalone AI infrastructure company. We believe that this separation gives both companies greater strategic clarity and more disciplined capital allocation.
Sam Tabar: White Fiber, meanwhile, has the flexibility to pursue its own growth strategy as a standalone AI infrastructure company. We believe that this separation gives both companies greater strategic clarity and more disciplined capital allocation. We currently own about 74.3% of White Fiber, which would drop to around 71.5% if the green shoe is fully exercised. Our shares are subject to a six-month lockup following the IPO. Over time, we plan to fully unwind our position in a measured and opportunistic way. But we are in no rush. We are extremely excited by the future of White Fiber. We believe selling down our ownership prematurely would only hurt shareholder value for BTBT. Our goal is to maximize long-term value for shareholders of both companies. White Fiber remains a very valuable asset for our shareholders. But today's call is focused on Bit Digital, Inc.'s core business.
Speaker #3: We currently own about 74.3% of White Fiber, which would drop to around 71.5% if the green shoe is fully exercised. Our shares are subject to a six-month lockup following the IPO.
Speaker #3: Over time, we plan to fully unwind our position in a measured and opportunistic way. But we are in no rush. We are extremely excited about the future of White Fiber.
Speaker #3: We believe that selling down our ownership prematurely would only hurt shareholder value for BTBT. Our goal is to maximize long-term value for shareholders of both companies.
Speaker #3: White Fiber remains a very valuable asset for our shareholders. However, today's call is focused on Bit Digital's core business. We will not be providing forward-looking comments on White Fiber.
Sam Tabar: We will not be providing forward-looking comments on White Fiber. For additional information on White Fiber, I encourage you to visit White Fiber's website and SEC filings. During the second quarter, we launched our plan to become a dedicated Ethereum holding and yield generation platform. As of the end of June, we held approximately 30,663 ETH. After the quarter closed, we increased that to about 121,000 ETH as of August 11th. This was funded in part by our recent equity offerings and by the sale of Bitcoin. Converting our Bitcoin into ETH has been a great trade so far. We earned approximately 166.8 ETH in staking rewards during the quarter. At quarter end, around 21,568 ETH were actively staked. The annualized effective yield was approximately 3.1%. As of August 11th, we had approximately 105,000 ETH staked. This transition represents a structural pivot.
Speaker #3: For additional information on White Fiber, I encourage you to visit White Fiber's website and SEC filings. During the second quarter, we launched our plan to become a dedicated Ethereum holding and yield generation platform.
Speaker #3: As of the end of June, we held approximately 30,663 ETH. After the quarter closed, we increased that to about 121,000 ETH as of August 11th.
Speaker #3: This was funded in part by our recent equity offerings and by the sale of Bitcoin. Converting our Bitcoin into ETH has been a great trade so far.
Speaker #3: We earned approximately 166.8 ETH in staking rewards during the quarter. At quarter end, around 21,568 ETH were actively staked. The annualized effective yield was approximately 3.1%.
Speaker #3: As of August 11th, we had approximately 105,000 ETH staked. This transition represents a structural pivot. Our goal is to build the largest institutional ETH balance sheets in the public markets.
Sam Tabar: Our goal is to build the largest institutional ETH balance sheets in the public markets. We want to generate scalable staking yield for shareholders. This isn't a trend we're chasing. We've owned ETH since 2021. We held it through multiple market cycles earlier than any other ETH treasury company. We started converting our Bitcoin into ETH at a time when miners thought that was sacrilegious. Turns out, it wasn't heresy. It was foresight. We had conviction in the long-term potential of ETH. That conviction has only grown. We believe the value of ETH is still in the very early innings from an awareness standpoint. Now, turning to Bitcoin mining. In June, we announced that we are exploring strategic alternatives for our Bitcoin mining business. We are open to either selling the business or winding it down.
Speaker #3: We want to generate scalable staking yield for shareholders. This isn't a trend we're chasing. We've owned ETH since 2021 and held it through multiple market cycles.
Speaker #3: Earlier than any other, ETH treasury company. We started converting our Bitcoin into ETH at a time when miners thought that was sacrilegious. Turns out, it wasn't heresy.
Speaker #3: It was foresight. We had conviction in the long-term potential of ETH. That conviction has only grown. We believe the value of ETH is still in the very early innings from an awareness standpoint.
Speaker #3: Now, turning to Bitcoin mining. In June, we announced that we are exploring strategic alternatives for our Bitcoin mining business. We are open to either selling the business or winding it down.
Speaker #3: Basically, if we don't sell, we'll run the fleet until units become unprofitable or hosting contracts expire. We will look for mutually beneficial outcomes as we work with our hosting partners.
Sam Tabar: Basically, if we don't sell, we'll run the fleet until units become unprofitable or hosting contracts expire. We will look for mutually beneficial outcomes as we work with our hosting partners. To be very clear, we will not invest in additional mining units. Simply put, we believe ETH will deliver better long-term returns than mining. Yes, you heard that right. We produced 68 Bitcoins in the second quarter, down from 83 Bitcoins in Q1. Mining revenue declined to $6.6 million, but growth margins remained positive despite lower production and a weaker hash price. As of quarter end, our active hash rate was about 1.2 exahash, reflecting curtailments. Since then, we've deployed 2,130 S21 miners and expect to deploy another 1,445 later this month. As an important note, those units were purchased earlier this year.
Speaker #3: To be very clear, we will not invest in additional mining units. Simply put, we believe ETH will deliver better long-term returns than mining. Yes, you heard that right.
Speaker #3: We produced 68 Bitcoins in the second quarter, down from 83 Bitcoins in Q1. Mining revenue declined to $6.6 million, but gross margins remained positive despite lower production and a weaker hash price.
Speaker #3: As of quarter end, our active hash rate was about 1.2 exahash, reflecting curtailments. Since then, we've deployed 2,130 S21 miners and expect to deploy another 1,445 later this month.
Speaker #3: As an important note, those units were purchased earlier this year. These newer machines, combined with the gradual retirement of older models, are expected to improve fleet efficiency to below 22 joules per terahash as the business winds down.
Sam Tabar: These newer machines, combined with the gradual retirement of older models, are expected to improve lead efficiency to below 22 joules per terahash as the business winds down. With that overview, I will turn it over to Eric Wong to walk through the financials.
Speaker #3: With that overview, I will turn it over to Erke Huang to walk through the financials.
Speaker #2: Thank you, Sam. Total revenue for the second quarter was $25.7 million. That compares to $29 million in the same quarter last year and $25.1 million in the first quarter.
Eric Wong: Thank you, Sam. Total revenue for the second quarter was $25.7 million. That compares to $29 million in the same quarter last year and $25.1 million in the first quarter. Digital asset mining revenue was $6.6 million, down 59% year over year due to the April 2024 happening, higher network difficulty, and a lower active hash rate. Cloud services revenue was $16.6 million, up 33% compared to the prior year quarter. The increase was driven by the commencement of new customer contracts. Colocation services contributed $1.7 million compared to none in the same period last year as the business was launched in late 2024. Ethereum staking revenue was $0.4 million, down about 2% year over year as higher staking rewards were offset by a lower realized Ethereum price during the quarter.
Speaker #2: Digital asset mining revenue was $6.6 million, down 59% year over year due to the April 2024 halving, higher network difficulty, and a lower active hash rate.
Speaker #2: Cloud services revenue was $16.6 million, up 33% compared to the prior year quarter. The increase was driven by the commencement of new customer contracts.
Speaker #2: Colocation services contributed $1.7 million, compared to none in the same period last year, as the business was launched in late 2024. Ethereum staking revenue was $0.4 million, down about 2% year over year, as higher staking rewards were offset by a lower realized Ethereum price during the quarter.
Speaker #2: Cost of revenue, excluding depreciation, was approximately $13.2 million compared to $15.2 million a year ago and $12.8 million in Q1. Gross profit was approximately $12.5 million for a total gross margin of about 49%.
Eric Wong: Cost of revenue, excluding depreciation, was approximately $13.2 million compared to $15.2 million a year ago and $12.8 million in Q1. Gross profit was approximately $12.5 million for a total gross margin of about 49%, up 80 basis points from the prior year quarter. G&A for the second quarter was $19.7 million compared to $5.5 million in the same quarter last year. Second quarter G&A included approximately $5.5 million in stock-based awards tied to milestone achievements related to our 2024 acquisition of Inovum, as well as certain consulting and legal-related expenses, which we expect to be non-recurring. The standalone Bit Digital cost structure is expected to be significantly less than our consolidated G&A with White Fiber. Net income for the quarter was $14.9 million or $0.07 per diluted share versus a net loss of $12 million in the same year quarter.
Speaker #2: Up 80 basis points from the prior year quarter. GNA for the second quarter was $19.7 million compared to $5.5 million in the same quarter last year.
Speaker #2: Second quarter GNA included approximately $5.5 million in stock-based awards tied to milestone achievements related to our 2024 acquisition of Inovum, as well as certain consulting and legal-related expenses, which we expect to be non-recurring.
Speaker #2: The standalone Bit Digital cost structure is expected to be significantly less than our consolidated G&A with White Fiber. Net income for the quarter was $14.9 million, or $0.07 per diluted share.
Speaker #2: Versus a net loss of $12 million in the same quarter of the previous year, adjusted EBITDA was $27.8 million compared to a negative $3.8 million a year ago.
Eric Wong: Adjusted EBITDA was $27.8 million compared to negative $3.8 million a year ago. This includes a $27.2 million gain on digital assets. On the balance sheet, as of June 30th, we held $181.2 million in cash and cash equivalents. Total digital assets were $91.2 million consisting of Ethereum and approximately 280 Bitcoin. Subsequent to quarter end, we sold our Bitcoin position and used the proceeds to acquire Ethereum. Including USDC, total liquidity was approximately $273 million as of June 30th. We remain debt-free. During the quarter, the company signed a $60 million Canadian credit facility with the Royal Bank of Canada. However, the facility transferred to White Fiber following the IPO. Cash exit for the quarter was approximately $82 million, primarily related to legacy HPC commitments for the White Fiber business, including the purchase of multi-tenant WAN data center sites, infrastructure development, and GPU procurements.
Speaker #2: This includes a $27.2 million gain on digital assets. On the balance sheet, as of June 30th, we held $181.2 million in cash and cash equivalents.
Speaker #2: Total digital assets were $91.2 million, consisting of Ethereum and approximately 280 Bitcoin. Subsequent to quarter-end, we sold our Bitcoin position and used the proceeds to acquire Ethereum.
Speaker #2: Including USDC, total liquidity was approximately $273 million as of June 30. We remain debt-free. During the quarter, the company signed a $60 million Canadian dollar credit facility with the Royal Bank of Canada.
Speaker #2: However, the facility transferred to White Fiber following the IPO. CapEx for the quarter was approximately $82 million, primarily related to legacy HPC commitments for the White Fiber business.
Speaker #2: Including the purchase of the North Carolina One Dallas Center site, infrastructure development, and GPU procurements. I will now hand the line back to Sam.
Eric Wong: I will now hand the line back to Sam.
Speaker #3: Thank you, Erke. The second quarter marked the start of Bit Digital's next chapter as a focused Ethereum treasury and staking company. We believe ETH is the most compelling long-term digital asset.
Sam Tabar: Thank you, Eric. The second quarter marked the start of Bit Digital's next chapter as a focused Ethereum treasury and staking company. We believe ETH is the most compelling long-term digital asset. It empowers a global computer network. It enables the tokenization of assets, decentralized finance, and real-world applications. It is programmable, productive, and deflationary. The ETH ecosystem continues to flourish. It has the most active developer base. Major institutions like Coinbase, PayPal, and BlackRock are building on it. We believe Ethereum is becoming the financial infrastructure layer of the internet. Regulatory clarity has also improved. The Genius Act was signed into law last month, creating a stablecoin framework that strengthens Ethereum's role in digital payments. The Clarity Act, which affirms ETH as a digital commodity, is moving through the Senate. Together, these are meaningful steps toward broader institutional adoption.
Speaker #3: It empowers a global computer network. It enables the tokenization of assets, decentralized finance, and real-world applications. It is programmable, productive, and deflationary. The ETH ecosystem continues to flourish.
Speaker #3: It has the most active developer base. Major institutions like Coinbase, PayPal, and BlackRock are building on it. We believe Ethereum is becoming the financial infrastructure layer of the internet.
Speaker #3: Regulatory clarity has also improved. The Genius Act was signed into law last month, creating a stablecoin framework that strengthens Ethereum's role in digital payments.
Speaker #3: The Clarity Act, which affirms ETH as a digital commodity, is moving through the Senate. Together, these are meaningful steps toward broader institutional adoption. In plain English, the rules are catching up to the reality.
Sam Tabar: In plain English, the rules are catching up to the reality. We see ETH as a scarce, productive treasury asset. It earns yield. We believe that it is set to capture more value as activity migrates on chain. Our priorities are to scale our ETH position, optimize staking yield, and maintain a strong liquid balance sheet. Our goal isn't just to buy ETH. It is to grow long-term value per share. That means expanding our position at a measured pace, deploying capital when the value proposition is compelling, and issuing shares at prices we view as a premium to our net asset value. While we do not have a buyback program in place, we would be open to considering one in the future should our shares trade at a meaningful discount, even if that required reallocating ETH holdings.
Speaker #3: We see ETH as a scarce, productive treasury asset. It earns yield, and we believe that it is set to capture more value as activity migrates on-chain.
Speaker #3: Our priorities are to scale our ETH position, optimize staking yield, and maintain a strong liquid balance sheet. Our goal isn't just to buy ETH.
Speaker #3: It is to grow long-term value per share. That means expanding our position at a measured pace, deploying capital when the value proposition is compelling, and issuing shares at prices we view as a premium to our net asset value.
Speaker #3: While we do not have a buyback program in place, we would be open to considering one in the future should our shares trade at a meaningful discount.
Speaker #3: Even if that required reallocating ETH holdings. We are also differentiated by our substantial ownership stake in White Fiber, a valuable public company in its own right.
Sam Tabar: We are also differentiated by our substantial ownership stake in White Fiber, a valuable public company in its own right. Over time, that stake provides a unique source of strategic flexibility that could be monetized, if appropriate, to grow our ETH position in a non-dilutive way. We intend to follow Michael Seller's playbook with the goal of driving our share price to a meaningful premium to NAV over time. Accordingly, we are exploring capital market alternatives to raise further capital to purchase additional ETH in a non-dilutive fashion. It's worth noting that our June 2025 issuance, priced at $2 per share, subsequently traded materially higher and remains at a substantial premium to that share price. Looking ahead, we expect to continue scaling our ETH position through operational cash flow, opportunistic market access, and when appropriate, other sources of capital that align with shareholder interests.
Speaker #3: Over time, that stake provides a unique source of strategic flexibility that could be monetized, if appropriate, to grow our ETH position in a non-dilutive way.
Speaker #3: We intend to follow Michael Seller's playbook, with the goal of driving our share price to a meaningful premium to NAV over time. Accordingly, we are exploring capital market alternatives to raise further capital to purchase additional ETH in a non-dilutive fashion.
Speaker #3: It's worth noting that our June 2025 issuance priced at $2.00 per share subsequently traded materially higher and remains at a substantial premium to that share price.
Speaker #3: Looking ahead, we expect to continue scaling our ETH position through operational cash flow, opportunistic market access, and, when appropriate, other sources of capital that align with shareholder interests.
Speaker #3: To support that flexibility, we have included a proposal in our upcoming proxy to increase our authorized share count. Businesses tied to any immediate financing plan are about ensuring that we have the tools to execute our ETH treasury strategy.
Sam Tabar: To support that flexibility, we have included a proposal in our upcoming proxy to increase our authorized share count. This is not tied to any immediate financing plan. It is about ensuring that we have the tools to execute our ETH treasury strategy in a disciplined and shareholder-aligned way. We ask that you vote and return your proxy card. Bit Digital, Inc. is built to be more than an ETH holder. We are a platform for compounding value through yield, strategic capital allocation, and the flexibility of our White Fiber ownership. We believe these advantages position us uniquely to deliver sustained growth in value per share over the long term. With that, we will open the line for questions. As a reminder, we will not be answering questions related to the White Fiber business beyond what has already been disclosed. Operator?
Speaker #3: In a disciplined and shareholder-aligned way, we ask that you vote and return your proxy card. Bit Digital is built to be more than an ETH holder.
Speaker #3: We are a platform for compounding value through yield, strategic capital allocation, and the flexibility of our White Fiber ownership. We believe these advantages position us uniquely to deliver sustained growth in value per share over the long term.
Speaker #3: With that, we'll open the line for questions. And as a reminder, we will not be answering questions related to the White Fiber business beyond what has already been disclosed.
Speaker #3: Operator?
Speaker #1: Thank you. If you would like to signal with questions, please press star one on your touchtone telephone. If you're joining us today using a speakerphone, please make sure your mute function is turned off to allow your signal to reach our equipment.
Operator: Thank you. If you would like to signal with questions, please press star one on your touch-tone telephone. If you are joining us today using a speakerphone, please make sure your mute function is turned off to allow your signal to reach our equipment. Again, that is star one if you would like to signal with questions. The first question will come from Ryan Dobson with Clear Street.
Speaker #1: Again, that is star one if you would like to signal with questions. And the first question will come from Ryan Dobson with Clear Street.
Speaker #4: Hi, thanks. Thanks very much. Good morning, and thanks for taking my question. There’s certainly been a lot of growth in the treasury business model, and Bitcoin treasury models like Strategy are getting a lot of the headlines.
Speaker 5: Hi. Thanks very much. Good morning and thanks for taking my question. There's certainly been a lot of growth in the treasury business model, and bitcoin treasury models of strategy are getting a lot of the headlines. But Ethereum staking can generate real returns for investors. Do you think you could speak to the growing acceptance of Ethereum staking among institutional investors and how you see this business model developing over time?
Speaker #4: But Ethereum staking can generate real returns for investors. Do you think you could speak to the growing acceptance of Ethereum staking among institutional investors?
Speaker #4: And, how do you see this business model developing over time?
Speaker #3: Sure. I mean, there are so many ways to answer that question. First of all, we think it's a pretty smart move to accumulate ETH, and we're glad to see other companies leaning into that strategy.
Sam Tabar: Sure. I mean, there are so many ways to answer that question. First of all, we think it is a pretty smart move to accumulate ETH, and we are seeing, we are glad to see other companies leaning into that strategy. You know, the more companies that lean into that strategy, the more that Ethereum goes up. We are pretty happy about that. We do not see that as pure competition. It is more of a cooperation competition hybrid. Broader adoption for us helps validate the asset. It benefits everyone who is already participating. We have been staking ETH for a long time, and we are not just holding it. We have been actively staking ETH for years now and generating yield.
Speaker #3: You know, the more companies that lean into that strategy, the more that Ethereum goes up. So we're pretty happy about that. We don't see that as pure competition.
Speaker #3: It's more of a cooperation-competition hybrid. Broader adoption for us helps validate the asset; it benefits everyone who's already participating. We've been staking ETH for a long time.
Speaker #3: And we're not just holding it. We've been actively staking ETH for years now and generating yield. Our strategy is about compounding value with a productive treasury, as you mentioned—not just building a static ETH position.
Sam Tabar: Our strategy is about compounding value with a productive treasury, as you mentioned, not just building a static ETH position. It is also probably worth reminding that we do own a large stake in White Fiber, and that stake gives us a unique potential source of non-dilutive capital that we may use to grow our ETH holdings over time. We are very much in a unique position. We have been talking about Ethereum and how that is a productive treasury asset compared to Bitcoin because it has this yield. It is worth noting that ETFs, I am not sure if ETFs even have the ability, although they are talking about it, to capture yield.
Speaker #3: It's also probably worth reminding that we do own a large stake in White Fiber. And that stake gives us a unique potential source of non-dilutive capital that we may use to grow our ETH holdings over time.
Speaker #3: So we are very much in a unique position. We've been talking about Ethereum and how that is a productive treasury asset compared to Bitcoin because it has the field.
Speaker #3: It's worth noting that ETFs—I’m not sure if ETFs even have the ability, although they're talking about it—to capture yield. So, it's one of the reasons why these ETH treasury plays are popular, because people can get staking economics by buying an ETH treasury public company.
Sam Tabar: It is one of the reasons why these ETH treasury plays are popular because people can get staking economics by buying an ETH treasury public company. That is something that you really could not do in the past. I hope that answers some of your question.
Speaker #3: That's something that you really couldn't do in the past. I hope that answers some of your questions.
Speaker #4: Yeah, it certainly does. Thank you so much for the details.
Speaker 5: Yeah, it certainly does. Thank you so much for the details.
Speaker #3: Thanks for the question.
Sam Tabar: Thanks for the question.
Speaker #1: And the next question will come from Joe Gong with Noble Capital.
Operator: The next question will come from Joe Gong with Noble Capital.
Speaker #5: Thank you. Good morning.
Speaker 5: Thank you. Good morning.
Speaker #3: Hi, Joe.
Sam Tabar: Hi, Joe.
Speaker #5: Can you hear me?
Speaker 5: Can you hear me?
Speaker #3: Yes, loud and clear.
Operator: Yes, loud and clear.
Speaker #5: Just wanted to clear something up. First, I'm Erke. I'm not quite sure I heard, but I just want to make sure on the GNA. I did see that, you know, the professional consulting fees were significantly increased, and the same with the share comp.
Speaker 5: I just wanted to clear something up first. I am Eric Wong. I am not quite sure I heard, but I just want to make sure. On the G&A, I did see that, you know, the professional consulting fees, you know, were significantly increased and the same with the share comp, which drove overall G&A, you know, up to the 19.7 from 8.2 in the first quarter. Did you say that those consulting and the share comp are going to go back to a more normalized level so that G&A going forward would be back to, let's call that $8 million to $10 million, or are we going to be at a higher level going forward?
Speaker #5: Which drove overall G&A up to $19.7 million from $8.2 million in the first quarter. Did you say that those consulting and share comp are going to go back to a more normalized level so that G&A going forward would be back to, let's call that $8 million to $10 million, or are we going to be at a higher level going forward?
Speaker #3: Yeah, go ahead, Erke.
Sam Tabar: Go ahead, Eric.
Speaker #2: Yes, we do see these as a long time. You know, a big part is related to our acquisition of Inovum as a milestone of $15.
Eric Wong: Yes, we do see this as a long time. A big part is related to our acquisition of Inovum as a milestone of the team. That is $5.5 million. Some other consulting fees are related to the IPO expenses. Those are all going to be related to White Fiber. Going forward, you will see Bit Digital, Inc. itself, the G&A will drop substantially.
Speaker #2: That's, you know, $5.5 million, and some other, you know, consulting fees are related to, you know, the IPO expenses. Those are all, you know, going to be related to White Fiber.
Speaker #2: So going forward, you'll see, you know, Bit Digital itself, the GNA will drop, you know, substantially.
Speaker #3: Yeah, I'd love to add to that. So, you know, in terms of the question of going forward cost structure and what that will look like now that White Fiber is separate, to Erke's point, the standalone Bit Digital cost structure will be significantly leaner than what you see in our consolidated results.
Sam Tabar: I would love to add to that. So, in terms of the question of going forward cost structure and what that will look like now that White Fiber is separate, to Eric Wong's point, the standalone Bit Digital, Inc. cost structure will be significantly leaner than what you see in our consolidated results. Most of the CapEx and G&A associated with White Fiber will no longer apply. So we will be operating with a much simpler, much simpler footprint, fewer business lines, fewer people, and much lower infrastructure spend. The simplicity is part of what makes the ETH treasury strategy scalable. Going forward, we expect corporate expenses to trend down and ETH staking margins to play a larger role in our profitability. Second quarter G&A also featured a material amount of one-time and non-recurring items, to Eric Wong's point.
Speaker #3: Most of the CapEx and G&A associated with White Fiber will no longer apply. So we'll be operating with a much simpler footprint, fewer business lines, fewer people, and much lower infrastructure spend.
Speaker #3: The simplicity is part of what makes the ETH treasury strategy scalable. Going forward, we expect corporate expenses to trend down and ETH staking margins to play a larger role in our profitability.
Speaker #3: Second quarter GNA also features a material amount of one-time and non-recurring items, as Erke pointed out. Therefore, the cost structure is less than a figure derived from simply allocating part of the GNA to White Fiber and part to BTBT.
Sam Tabar: The cost structure is less than a figure derived from simply allocating part of the G&A to White Fiber and part to BTBT.
Speaker #5: Okay, I mean, I will just make the comment: I'm not quite understanding, Sam, why you don't want to talk about White Fiber. I mean, you guys still own 70% of it.
Speaker 5: Okay. I will just make the comment. I am not quite understanding, Sam Tabar, why you do not want to talk about White Fiber. I mean, you guys still own 70% of it. The numbers are going to be consolidated. It is a big part of the value equation here in the story. To just say you guys are not going to talk about it, it does not make a whole lot of sense to me. I am just throwing that out there. But thank you for your answer on the GNA.
Speaker #5: The numbers aren't going to be consolidated. It's a big part of the value equation here in the story. And to just say you guys are not going to talk about it, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me, so.
Speaker #5: I'm just throwing that out there. But thank you for your answer on the GNA.
Speaker #3: Well, let's, let's, let's just, let me comment on your comment. White Fiber is its own operating company, and that was the point of the IPO.
Sam Tabar: Let me comment on your comment. White Fiber is its own operating company. That was the point of the IPO. We are going to, we have to treat it somewhat separately on a separate call and separate website and separate team. I can say that we currently own, you are right, we do own approximately 71.5% to 74.3% of White Fiber, depending on the underwriter options. Those shares are subject to a six-month lockup. I can say that we view that stake as a strategic and financial asset for Bit Digital, Inc. I could say that over time, we intend to unwind that position in a very measured and opportunistic way.
Speaker #3: And so we're going to have to treat it somewhat separately, on a separate call, a separate website, and a separate team. I can say that we currently own your right.
Speaker #3: We own approximately 71.5% to 74.3% of White Fiber, depending on the underwriter options. Those shares are subject to a six-month lockup. I can say that we view that stake as a strategic and financial asset for Bit Digital.
Speaker #3: I can say that, over time, we intend to unwind that position in a very measured and opportunistic way. That would mean monetizing shares when it makes sense.
Sam Tabar: That would mean monetizing shares when it makes sense, either to reinvest in our ETH strategy or return value to shareholders. We are not committing to a specific timeline, but we do see the full separation as the long-term path going forward. If there are some questions, we will, in the future, hold a similar format for White Fiber. If we made this call about White Fiber and not Bit Digital, Inc., it would be very confusing and it would sort of defeat the purpose, I think, of keeping the companies separate. An ETH treasury play and a digital infrastructure play are just very different narratives, different audiences, different stories, and different operations. That was one of the main reasons to have this IPO. I think White Fiber deserves its own format, its own call, and so on. I hope you understand.
Speaker #3: Either to reinvest in our ETH strategy or return value to shareholders. We're not committing to a specific timeline, but we do see the full separation as the long-term path going forward.
Speaker #3: But if there are some questions, we will, you know, in the future, hold a similar format for White Fiber. If we made this call about White Fiber and not Bit Digital, it would be very confusing, and it would sort of defeat the purpose, I think.
Speaker #3: Of keeping the companies separate because an ETH treasury play and a digital infrastructure play are just very different narratives, different audiences, different stories, and different operations.
Speaker #3: And that was one of the main reasons to have this IPO. So, I think White Fiber deserves its own format, its own call, and so on.
Speaker #3: So I hope you understand.
Speaker #5: I do. Thanks.
Speaker 5: I do. Thanks.
Speaker #1: And the next question will come from Nick Giles with B. Riley Securities.
Operator: The next question will come from Nick Giles with B. Riley Securities.
Speaker #3: Hey, great. Thank you, Operator. Good morning, everyone. Just to follow up, I mean, you know, beyond ETH purchases, what are some of the other ways that you can support the overall Ethereum ecosystem?
Speaker 5: Great. Thank you, Operator. Good morning, everyone. To follow up, beyond ETH purchases, what are some of the other ways that you can support the overall Ethereum ecosystem? Are there any partnerships you could consider? As we see increased competition in the treasury strategy landscape, how do you plan to market this platform and its overall contribution? Thank you very much.
Speaker #3: You know, are there any partnerships you could consider? And, you know, really just as we see increased competition in the treasury strategy landscape, you know, how do you plan to market this platform and its overall contribution?
Speaker #3: Thank you very much. Yeah, I think we've been a little bit hamstrung on the marketing of the ETH treasury play because we were under the mandated quiet period when we were going through the process of the White Fiber IPO.
Sam Tabar: Yeah, I think we've been a little bit hamstrung on the marketing of the ETH treasury play because we were under the mandated quiet period when we were going through the process of the White Fiber IPO. That is finally slowly receding. When I mentioned that there is a reboot for our ETH treasury play, I meant it. Now that the IPO is behind us, you'll be seeing us on the circuit much more often and catching up on mindshare. We were the first ones to do this compared to any other ETH treasury play out there. We have the ability and the appetite to catch up on mindshare. We're already doing that. We have plans on that. You're right. Part of the competition is to own the narrative. Right now, there's a few companies out there, and we're all competing on mindshare.
Speaker #3: That is finally slowly receding. And when I mentioned that there is a reboot for our ETH treasury play, I meant it. So now that the IPO is behind us, you'll be seeing us on the circuit much more often and catching up on mind share; we were the first ones to do this compared to any other ETH treasury play out there.
Speaker #3: And so we have the ability and the appetite to catch up on mind share. And we're already doing that. We have plans on that.
Speaker #3: But you're right. Part of the competition is to own the narrative and right now there is, you know, there's a few companies out there and then we're all competing on mine share.
Speaker #3: And, of course, at the same time, you've got to buy a lot of ETH. We have plans to buy a lot of ETH, and we have plans to capture mine share.
Sam Tabar: Of course, at the same time, you've got to buy a lot of ETH. We have plans to buy a lot of ETH, and we have plans to capture mindshare. It's something that we'll be executing on for sure. There is some catching up to do because of this IPO. Frankly, trust me, the IPO was a very heavy lift, not to mention the mandated quiet period that we had to be on. It was frustrating to have metaphoric duct tape in my mouth and not being able to talk about Ethereum and our treasury play. That chapter and that era is finally behind us.
Speaker #3: And it's something that will be executed for sure. But, you know, there is some catching up to do because of this IPO. Frankly, trust me, the IPO was a very heavy lift.
Speaker #3: Not to mention the mandated quiet period that we had to be on. It was frustrating to have metaphorical duct tape in my mouth and not be able to talk about Ethereum in our treasury play.
Speaker #3: But that's finally, that chapter in that era is finally behind us.
Speaker #2: And I appreciate that color and the background. My next question would just be, you know, you touched on the Genius Act, which has obviously been transformational for the space.
Speaker 5: I appreciate that color in the background. My next question would just be, you know, you touched on the Genius Act, which has obviously been transformational for the space. Where do you think the regulatory framework could or should go from here?
Speaker #2: I mean, where do you think the regulatory framework could or should go from here?
Speaker #3: Well, I think the regulatory framework will certainly be in favor of all things crypto. As a reminder, there was an era when Gary Gensler was the Chairman of the SEC.
Sam Tabar: I think the regulatory framework will certainly be in favor of all things crypto. As a reminder, there was an era where Gary Gensler was the Chairman of the SEC. That era is finally behind us. We have a very friendly SEC towards crypto. Almost every other day, there is a positive statement or rule interpretation that is very friendly towards this new technology. We are really happy to see that. At the congressional level, we are seeing, like you mentioned, the Genius Act and the Clarity Act that is obviously, excuse me, very, very, offers a lot of clarity and rules where these rules and clarity just was not there in the past. In the past, during Chairman Gary Gensler's era, there were no rules. If you did anything, these poor programmers that were building on the Ethereum ecosystem would be, it was regulatory warfare.
Speaker #3: That era is finally behind us. We have a very friendly SEC towards crypto. Almost every other day, there is a positive statement or rule interpretation that is very friendly towards this new technology.
Speaker #3: So, we're really happy to see that at the congressional level. We're seeing, like you mentioned, the Genius Act and the Clarity Act that obviously—excuse me—offer a lot of clarity and rules where these rules and clarity just weren't there in the past.
Speaker #3: In the past, during Chairman Gary Gensler's era, there were no rules. If you did anything, these poor programmers that were building on the Ethereum ecosystem would be, you know, experiencing regulatory warfare.
Speaker #3: And I had friends who just weren't sure if they should build on Ethereum because they didn't want to go to jail; they had no idea what the rules are.
Sam Tabar: I had friends who just were not sure if they should build on Ethereum because they did not want to go to jail because they had no idea what the rules are. That is a very different era today. We have only started this era just about seven months ago. We have a long way to go. People are also beginning to understand the value of ETH, why ETH has a lot of technological prowess over the mother coin, which is Bitcoin. It has smart contracts. It can rewrite the entire financial system. We are seeing institutions like JP Morgan even leaning in on the Ethereum ecosystem because it has absolute value, especially if it wants to rebuild in a more or rather less frictionless way for its infrastructure, its back office, and middle office.
Speaker #3: That's a very different era today, and we've only started this era just about seven months ago. So, you know, we have a long way to go, and people are also beginning to understand the value of Ethereum.
Speaker #3: Ethereum has a lot of technical prowess over the mother coin, which is Bitcoin. It has smart contracts and can potentially rewrite the entire financial system.
Speaker #3: We're seeing institutions like JP Morgan even leaning in on the Ethereum ecosystem because it has absolute value. Especially if it wants to rebuild in a more, or rather less, frictionless way for its infrastructure, its back office, and middle office.
Speaker #3: I can't imagine the front office wanting to embrace Ethereum because that's a bit existential for them. But they're going to start with the back office and how Ethereum can replace that.
Sam Tabar: I cannot imagine the front office is wanting to embrace ETH because that is a bit existential for them. They are going to start with the back office and how ETH can replace that. It is a very great time with respect to the Clarity Act, sorry, the Genius Act that provided a lot of rules on, sorry, a lot of clarity on rules for stable coins. It accepts stable coins as a formal payment processor. You are going to see a lot of issuers build their own stable coins. PayPal has already done it. You are going to see other issuers and other companies have their own stable coins. Remember, more than 50% of stable coins are built on ETH. That is a blue chip ecosystem. People are beginning to realize that and wake up to that. I am very bullish on Bitcoin.
Speaker #3: So it's a very great time with respect to the Genius Act. Sorry, the Genius Act, that provided a lot of rules on—sorry, a lot of clarity on rules for stablecoins.
Speaker #3: And it accepts stablecoins as a formal payment processor. So, you’re going to see a lot of issuers build their own stablecoins. PayPal has already done it.
Speaker #3: You're going to see other issuers and other companies have their own stablecoins. And remember, more than 50% of stablecoins are built on Ethereum. That is a blue-chip ecosystem.
Speaker #3: And people are beginning to realize that and wake up to that. And, you know, I'm very bullish on Bitcoin. I think Bitcoin's main competitor is the gold market.
Sam Tabar: I think Bitcoin's main competitor are the gold markets. Gold is a simple store of value. Bitcoin is a simple store of value. Frankly, if Bitcoin and ETH, look, Bitcoin had a first-mover advantage. If Bitcoin and ETH were invented on the first day, I do not think people would be talking about Bitcoin. It is just not the technology that Ethereum has. That is why you are seeing a lot of success right now in these ETH treasury plays. There is a yield. There is fundamental value. There is technology. It is programmable, and it could rewrite the entire financial system. Bitcoin can. Bitcoin is simply an answer to gold.
Speaker #3: Gold is a simple store of value, and Bitcoin is a simple store of value. Frankly, if Bitcoin and Ethereum—look, Bitcoin had the first-mover advantage.
Speaker #3: If Bitcoin and Ethereum were invented on the first day, I don't think people would be talking about Bitcoin. It's just not the technology that Ethereum has.
Speaker #3: So that is why you're seeing a lot of success right now in ETH treasury plays. There's a yield, there's fundamental value, there's technology. It's programmable.
Speaker #3: And it could rewrite the entire financial system. Bitcoin can. Bitcoin is simply an answer to gold.
Speaker #2: Sam, I really appreciate your perspective. So, continue best of luck.
Speaker 5: Sam, I really appreciate your perspective. Continue, best of luck.
Speaker #3: Thank you. I mean, the markets—I don't think I need luck because the markets are speaking for themselves right now. And, you know, selling our Bitcoin on our balance sheet and buying Ethereum was a great trade.
Sam Tabar: Thank you. I mean, the markets, I do not think I need the luck because the markets are speaking for themselves right now. Selling our bitcoin on our balance sheet and buying ETH was a great trade.
Speaker #1: And we'll take our next question—oh, thank you. We'll take our next question from a participant from HC Wainwright in Cala. Please provide your name as well.
Operator: We will take our next question. Thank you. We will take our next question from a participant from HC Wainwright. Colin, please provide your name as well. Thank you.
Speaker #1: Thank you.
Speaker 5: Oh, hi, Sam. It is Kevin.
Speaker #2: Hi, Sam. It's Kevin.
Speaker #3: Hey, Kevin. Long time.
Sam Tabar: Hey, Cameron Schnier. Long time.
Speaker #2: Yeah.
Operator: Yeah, can you hear me okay? Great. Hi, Eric. Cam, thanks. Thanks for letting me hop on here. I was hoping you wouldn't mind talking a little bit more, Sam, please, about your bitcoin mining thinking. I understand you're at 1.2 exahash with about 700 petahash coming in, I guess, through July and future S21 miners deployments. I'm just wondering if you could give us a hint on how the fleet has aged and how you might see tapering what you have, legacy machines off as those come on and what you might recommend we consider in Bit Digital's bitcoin hash, at least for the near term, understanding full well it's not a long-term strategic initiative.
Speaker #3: You hear me okay? Great. Hi, Erke. Sam, thanks for letting me hop on here. You know, I was hoping you wouldn't mind talking a little bit more, Sam, please, about your Bitcoin mining thinking.
Speaker #3: Understand your, you know, at 1.2 extra hash with about 700 peta hash coming in, I guess through July, and future S21 deployments. I'm just wondering if you could give us a hint on how the fleet has aged and how you might see tapering what you have, legacy machines off as those come on and what you might recommend we consider in Bit Digital's Bitcoin hash.
Speaker #3: At least for the near term, understanding full well it's not a long-term strategic initiative. Yeah, I mean, look, that's right. We're in the process of winding down our Bitcoin mining business.
Sam Tabar: Yeah, I mean, look, that's right. We're in the process of winding down our bitcoin mining business as part of our strategic shift towards Ethereum. We're no longer investing in new machines. Over time, we do expect our active hash rate and revenue to decline as hosting contracts expire and older machines become unprofitable. To your point, we've recently deployed a batch of efficient S21 miners that will help maintain positive margins while we wind down. Our strategy is to continue operating the fleet as long as it remains profitable on a unit-by-unit basis. As mentioned, if there's a chance to sell the business, we'd be happy to evaluate that. Absent that, the plan is just to let the business sunset in a way that maximizes cash flow and minimizes disruption. I think you talked about the current fleet efficiency and how that's trending.
Speaker #3: It's part of our strategic shift towards Ethereum. We're no longer investing in new machines, and over time, we do expect our active hash rate and revenue to decline as hosting contracts expire and older machines become unprofitable.
Speaker #3: To your point, we've recently deployed a batch of efficient S21 Plus units that will help maintain positive margins while we wind down. Our strategy is to continue operating the fleet as long as it remains profitable on a unit-by-unit basis.
Speaker #3: As mentioned, if there's a chance to sell the business, we'd be happy to evaluate that. But absent that, the plan is just to let the business sunset in a way that maximizes cash flow and minimizes disruption.
Speaker #3: I think you talked about the current fleet efficiency and how that's trending as of the end of June. Our fleet efficiency has been approximately 25.1 joules per terahash.
Sam Tabar: As of the end of June, our fleet efficiency was approximately 25.1 joules per terahash. That's improved since quarter end. We've also deployed, as mentioned, 2,130 S21 miners and expect to deploy another 1,445 in the next coming weeks. Once those are online, we expect fleet efficiency to improve to around 23.3 joules per terahash. I apologize. As mentioned, as you can guess, over time, as older models roll off, we anticipate fleet efficiency to fall in the range of 17.5 to 23.5 joules per terahash. Look, we do expect total fleet hash rate to decline gradually as we wind down the mining business and retire older units. In the short term, the S21 deployments will add around 317 petahash of capacity, so to the 1.6 to 1.8 range.
Speaker #3: That's improved since quarter end. We've also deployed, as mentioned, 2,130 S21 Plus miners and expect to deploy another 1,445 in the coming weeks.
Speaker #3: Once those are online, we expect fleet efficiency to improve to around 23.3 joules per terahash. I apologize. As mentioned, as you could guess, over time, as older models roll off, we anticipate fleet efficiency to fall in the range of 17.5 to 23.5 joules per terahash.
Speaker #3: And look, you know, we do expect total fleet hash rate to decline gradually as we wind down the mining business and retire older units.
Speaker #3: In the short term, the S21 Plus deployments will add around 317 peta hash of capacity, bringing the total to the 1.6 to 1.8 range. However, as older contracts expire and we transition toward only running the most efficient fleets—in other words, the S21s and the S19K Pros—the total hash rate will decline while margins should improve.
Sam Tabar: As older contracts expire and we transition toward only running the most efficient fleets, in other words, the S21 miners and the S19K pros, the total hash rate will decline while margins should improve. I'm not sure if you're asking us whether continuing in mining equipment is, you know, should we continue investing in mining equipment even though our margins are still positive? We just think that the capital allocation is just juicier if we reallocate everything towards our ETH treasury play.
Speaker #3: And I don't know. I'm not sure if you're asking us whether continuing to invest in mining equipment is, you know, should we continue investing in mining equipment even though our margins are still positive?
Speaker #3: You know, we just think that the capital allocation is just juicier if we allocate, if we reallocate everything towards our ETH treasury play.
Speaker #2: Yeah, no, no, that point resonated clearly, Sam. No question there; I just appreciate the help on how you see the hash rate trending. So we could get our arms around it in the model.
Speaker 5: Yeah, no, no, that point resonated clearly, Sam. No question there. I appreciate the help on how you see the hash rate trending. So if you get arms around it in the model. You also mentioned reducing infrastructure personnel. And I was wondering if you would not mind sort of walking through headcount. Maybe we could kind of get our arms around where SG&A would sort of bottom out.
Speaker #3: You also mentioned reducing infrastructure personnel, and I was wondering if you wouldn't mind sort of walking through headcount. Maybe we could kind of get our arms around where SG&A would sort of bottom out?
Speaker #2: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, the GNA is certainly going to be much less on a going-forward basis because most of the GNA was focused on White Fiber.
Sam Tabar: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, the GNA is certainly going to be much less on a going forward basis because most of the GNA was focused on White Fiber. In terms of headcount, I think Eric has a more granular grasp on that. Eric, do you recall how many people are going to or have went, have migrated to White Fiber and how many are staying with Bit Digital?
Speaker #2: In terms of headcount, I think Erke, has a more granular grasp on that. Erke, do you recall how many people are going toward have went have migrated to White Fiber and how many are staying with Bit Digital?
Eric Wong: Yeah, I think at this point, White Fiber probably takes about 70% of the existing personnel. While there are some overlapping and consolidation and there is a transition period, Bit Digital, Inc. should remain pretty lean. Kevin, you can check out the White Fiber S1 that pretty much subtracts that portion from White Fiber that gets to Bit Digital, Inc. G&A.
Speaker #2: I I think, at this point, White Fiber probably takes about 70% of the existing personnel. And while there are some, you know, overlapping and consolidation and there's a transition period, but, you know, Bit Digital should remain pretty lean.
Speaker #2: And, you know, Kevin, you can check out the White Fiber, you know, S1 that, you know, pretty much, you know, subtract that portion from White Fiber that gets to, you know, Bit Digital GNA.
Speaker #3: Right. Good idea, Erke. Thanks. Sam, the executive offices are a little unclear to me. I understand you're going to run two companies separately. Could you maybe walk us through who's heading up what and where?
Speaker 5: All right. Good idea, Eric. Thanks. Sam, the executive offices are a little unclear to me. I understand you are going to run two companies separately. Just maybe walk through who is heading up what and where.
Speaker #3: Yeah, absolutely. So, as you recall, last fall, we acquired Inovum, a data center operator. That team has about 20 years of experience building greenfield and retrofit Tier 3 data centers.
Sam Tabar: Yeah, absolutely. As you recall, last fall, we acquired Inovum, a data center operator. That team has about 20 years of building greenfield and retrofit Tier 3 data centers. That was one of the main reasons why we acquired them. They have been in the trenches of retrofitting old facilities that had nothing to do with Tier 3 data centers and converting them into Tier 3 data centers. They have been doing that for the likes of other hyperscalers like Amazon and Microsoft. They continue that track record under the Inovum umbrella. We acquired them for about $46 million last fall. That particular team is very intact. It is run by Billy, who is still the CEO of Inovum and is now transferred to White Fiber. There is no difference for the data center team.
Speaker #3: That was one of the main reasons why we acquired them. They've been in the trenches of retrofitting old facilities that had nothing to do with Tier 3 data centers and converting them into Tier 3 data centers.
Speaker #3: They've been doing that for the likes of other hyperscalers like Amazon and Microsoft. They continue that track record under the Inovum umbrella. We acquired them for about $46 million last fall.
Speaker #3: So that particular team is very intact. It's run by Billy, who is still the CEO of Inovum and has now transferred to White Fiber.
Speaker #3: There is no difference for the data center team. The day-to-day was always operationally very separate and had nothing to do with what Bit Digital was doing.
Sam Tabar: The day-to-day was always operationally very separate and had nothing to do with what Bit Digital, Inc. was doing. We also have a cloud team that is run by Ben Lambson, who we were able to hire from another well-known NeoCloud. In fact, the first NeoCloud in history. He was the first business development hire over there. We have him and members of the team heading the cloud business. Both the cloud business and the data center business are under White Fiber. They actually were always under White Fiber, even before the IPO. They were operationally very different than the people we had on the Bit Digital, Inc. side. There is no overlap except for two or three folks, the ones on the call today, myself, Cameron Schnier, and Eric Wong. We will, for example, be very much involved in the investor relations portion of both companies.
Speaker #3: We also have a cloud team that's run by Ben Lampson, who we were able to hire from another well-known neo-cloud.
Speaker #3: In fact, the first Neocloud in history. And he was the first business development hire over there. We have him and members of the team heading the cloud business.
Speaker #3: So both the cloud business and the data center business are under White Fiber. They actually were always under White Fiber even before the IPO.
Speaker #3: So they were operationally very different from the people we had on the Bit Digital side. So there's no overlap, except for two or three folks.
Speaker #3: The ones on the call today—myself, Cam, and Erke—we will, for example, be very much involved in the investor relations portion of both companies.
Speaker #3: Erke will be very much involved, of course, in the financial allocation and the strategic discussions, and so will I, in terms of the capital allocation between our cloud and data center business.
Sam Tabar: Eric Wong will be very much involved, of course, in the financial allocation and the strategic discussions. So will I in terms of the capital allocation between our cloud and data center business. But in terms of the operational day-to-day, that is very separate. I would never be able to tell, for example, Billy's team on the construction crew side how to build a Tier 3 data center. They have been doing this for two decades. That would not be appropriate for me, Cameron Schnier, or Eric Wong to get involved with. Again, the cloud team and the data center team, they have been operationally very separate from Bit Digital, Inc. since day one. They continue to be, especially after this IPO. The only overlap that takes place is those who are on the call from a strategic perspective, an IR perspective, and a financial allocation perspective.
Speaker #3: But in terms of the operational day-to-day, that is very separate. I would never be able to tell, you know, for example, Billy's team on the construction crew side how to build a tier three data center.
Speaker #3: They've been doing this for two decades, and so that would not be appropriate for me, Cam, or Erke to get involved with. But again, the cloud team and the data center team have been operationally very separate from Bit Digital since day one.
Speaker #3: And they continue to be, especially after this IPO. The only overlap that takes place is among those who are on the call. From a strategic perspective, an IR perspective, and a financial allocation perspective.
Speaker #2: Thanks, Sam. One last one from me, if I may. I was wondering if you'd give us a little insight on the handling of your Ethereum leak.
Speaker 5: Thanks, Sam. One last one for me, if I may. I was wondering if you would give us a little insight on the handling of your Ethereum. Who do you have at stake with? What are they charging you to manage that? What is your longer-term thinking about maybe running nodes yourself? How are you considering that?
Speaker #2: Who do you have at stake with? What are they charging you to manage that? What are your longer-term thoughts about maybe running nodes yourself?
Speaker #2: How are you considering that?
Speaker #3: Yeah, I'll let Erke take that question.
Sam Tabar: Yeah, I'll let Eric take that question.
Speaker #2: Yeah, we're partnered with, you know, Firebrox as our custodian. And stakes to Firebrox with the help of Figment for native staking. Also, we had, you know, stakes through Echolayer for liquid staking, working with LSCTH.
Eric Wong: We partnered with Fireblocks, so custody and staked through Fireblocks with the help of Figment for native staking. Also, we had staked through Echinacea for liquid staking, you're working with LSCGH. Those are our various partners we had been working with. The native staking brings about 3% yield. Liquid staking bumps up a little bit too. The cost, you know, it's less than 10%, I would say, in terms of even margin.
Speaker #2: So those are the various partners we have been working with, and the native staking brings out about 3% yield. Liquid staking bumps it up a little bit too.
Speaker #2: And the cost of it's less than 10%, I would say. In terms of either margin.
Speaker #3: How are you thinking about it going forward, Erke? Do you think you might take some of that validator node operation in-house?
Speaker 5: How are you thinking about it going forward, Eric? Do you think you might take some of that validator node operation in-house?
Speaker #2: We had done R&D around that. But at this point, towards, you know, partnering with those institutional vendors and partners. They have been doing a great job and providing us with a lot of clarity, support, reporting, compliance, et cetera.
Eric Wong: We had, we had and did R&D around that. But at this point, we are partnering with those institutional vendors and partners. They had been doing a great job and giving us a lot of clarity and support, reporting and compliance, etc. So I think in the short term or medium term, we will still be.
Speaker #2: So I think in the short term or medium term, we'll still be using those partners.
Operator: using those partners.
Speaker #3: Very good. Thank you, gentlemen. Thank you for taking my questions; I appreciate it. Congratulations on navigating all that you have lately.
Cameron Schnier: Very good. Thank you, gentlemen. Thank you for taking my questions. Appreciate it. Congratulations on navigating all that you have lately.
Speaker #2: Thank you.
Operator: Thank you. There was an important question about why we cannot comment too much about White Fiber. It is just worth mentioning that the White Fiber quiet period ends on August 31st. It is just another reason why we cannot comment too much on White Fiber for the time being.
Speaker #3: There was an important question about why we can't comment too much about White Fiber. It's just worth mentioning that the White Fiber quiet period ends on August 31.
Speaker #3: So it's just another reason why we can't comment too much on White Fiber for the time being.
Speaker #1: And that does conclude the question-and-answer session. I'll now turn the conference back over to you.
Sam Tabar: That does conclude the question and answer session. I will now turn the conference back over to you.
Speaker #3: Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen, for your time today. We look forward to the next call. We are working very hard on executing this vision.
Operator: Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen, for your time today. We look forward to the next call. We are working very hard on executing this vision. Rome wasn't built in a day, so thank you very much for your patience. We are aiming to provide maximum shareholder value. Thank you for supporting us, and until the next call, thank you.
Sam Tabar: Thank you. That does conclude today's conference. We do thank you for your participation. Have an excellent day.