MARA Holdings, the Nasdaq-listed bitcoin miner, sold 20,880 BTC for $1.5 billion in the first quarter of 2026 as it accelerates a shift from large-scale mining toward artificial intelligence and high-performance computing infrastructure, CoinDesk reported. The sales came as the company disclosed a net loss of $1.26 billion. MARA's first-quarter 2026 loss is expected to more than double from a $533 million loss in the year-earlier period. Revenue fell 18% year over year to $175 million amid weaker bitcoin prices. Between March 4 and March 25, MARA sold 15,133 BTC. The company said it earmarked about $1.1 billion for convertible bond repurchases. Using $1.0 billion of the sale proceeds, MARA cut outstanding convertible debt by 30% to about $2.3 billion from roughly $3.3 billion, booking a $71 million gain on debt extinguishment. MARA also plans to deploy proceeds toward its largest deal to date. It has signed a definitive agreement with FTAI Infrastructure to acquire Long Ridge Energy for nearly $1.5 billion, including the assumption of at least $785 million of debt. Long Ridge operates a 505-megawatt combined-cycle natural gas plant in Ohio on more than 1,600 acres, with expected annualized EBITDA of $144 million. Beyond the balance-sheet moves, MARA is reshaping operations. The company said it is realizing $12 million in annual cost savings after cutting headcount by 15% and halting large-scale purchases of mining equipment. "Looking ahead, we expect to avoid large-scale ASIC acquisitions. Our approach will remain selective, targeted, and grounded in clear economic returns," MARA wrote in its first-quarter shareholder letter. Management said 90% of its non-custodial mining capacity has been converted into AI and IT infrastructure under a dual-purpose strategy. "Our strategic core is to co-locate new infrastructure with our existing Bitcoin mining operations, allowing us to immediately monetize our power assets while leveraging the operational discipline and infrastructure expertise provided by mining," the company wrote, adding that it can generate revenue from mining today while retaining the option to redirect power to AI and critical IT workloads as demand develops. Despite the liquidation, MARA remains the fourth-largest corporate bitcoin holder, with 35,303 BTC valued at $2.84 billion. Shares fell more than 5% on Tuesday after the earnings report, closing at $12.65 after touching an intraday low of $11.74. Even with the day's decline, the stock is up 32% over the past month. MARA's pivot underscores a broader industry rush by crypto infrastructure firms to capture AI-related demand. Earlier this month, bitcoin miner IREN announced a $3.4 billion NVIDIA AI deal, while Keel Infrastructure (formerly Bitfarms) reported a $145 million loss after completing a full transition from mining to AI.

MARA has sold a portion of its Bitcoin holdings to fund debt buybacks and finance the acquisition of a power plant, moves that align the miner with the sector's broader shift toward AI-focused infrastructure.

This week's highlights: Bitcoin climbed to $82,000. Michael Saylor's STRC returned to the market to buy additional BTC. Pro-Bitcoin candidate Kevin Warsh is expected to face a vote for Federal Reserve Chair. A Bitcoin and broader crypto market structure bill is set for markup, adding to the bullish tone.

Exodus, a bitcoin wallet provider, is stepping up its payments strategy after selling $87 million worth of BTC.

Bitcoin (BTC) has regained market share, with its dominance rising to about 58.5% after recently dipping near 55%, according to The Block. The rebound comes as the broader crypto market remains in a correction, with Bitcoin holding up better than many altcoins. Bitcoin dominance tracks BTC's share of total cryptocurrency market capitalization. When it rises, it often signals a shift of capital toward Bitcoin during periods of uncertainty. When it falls, it typically reflects risk appetite moving into altcoins, sometimes ahead of an "alt season" when alternative tokens outperform. The latest move follows a slide from roughly 62–63% in mid-2024, the highest level in years. That peak was followed by an altcoin-led rally that pulled dominance down to around 54% before the current recovery. Even with Bitcoin reasserting leadership, a handful of altcoins have shown relative strength in recent sessions. TON, ZEC, and DOGE have been among the more resilient tokens, prompting traders to watch for signs that Bitcoin dominance could soften again—a key marker many use when gauging the potential start of an alt season. Analysts note that one week of altcoin outperformance is not enough to confirm a sustained trend change, and the broader setup still favors Bitcoin as crypto's primary safe-haven asset during volatility. For traders, dominance shifts are widely used as a signal for capital rotation and sector leadership. A sustained break below 55% would add weight to an alt-season narrative, while holding above 58% suggests Bitcoin remains the asset class's dominant store of value. For long-term investors, dominance provides context for allocation decisions; historically, elevated Bitcoin dominance has sometimes preceded major altcoin rallies, making current levels a closely watched inflection point. Bitcoin dominance at 58.5% underscores a market still in correction mode, with BTC outperforming most altcoins. While select tokens are showing resilience, the data does not yet point to a decisive rotation into a full alt season. Market participants will continue monitoring dominance levels for confirmation of the next major trend. FAQs Q1: What is Bitcoin dominance and why does it matter? Bitcoin dominance is the percentage of the total crypto market capitalization accounted for by Bitcoin. Traders watch it to gauge sentiment and capital flows between Bitcoin and altcoins, which can help identify phases such as corrections or alt seasons. Q2: Does rising Bitcoin dominance mean altcoins will fall? Not necessarily. Dominance often rises in corrections because Bitcoin tends to hold value better than many altcoins. Altcoins can still rise in absolute terms if the broader market is moving higher. Q3: What dominance level typically signals an alt season? Historically, a sustained move below 55% has often been associated with the start of alt seasons. Market cycles differ, and dominance is typically used alongside other indicators. Disclaimer: This information is not trading advice. Bitcoinworld.co.in assumes no liability for investment decisions made based on this content. Conduct independent research and/or consult a qualified professional before investing.

Market estimates indicate Michael Saylor's Strategy purchased 2,110 BTC today through STRC.

Exodus disclosed it sold more than 1,000 Bitcoin during the first quarter, reducing its Bitcoin holdings by 63% over the period.

Bitcoin mining company Braiins has acquired CAMMS Capital, a CFTC-registered commodity asset manager. The transaction combines more than 15 years of Bitcoin mining experience with decades of commodity risk-management expertise. Braiins said Bitcoin, hashrate and energy should be treated as digital commodities, using hedging and financial instruments similar to those in oil, gas and grain markets. The company plans to develop commodity-grade risk-management tools purpose-built for Bitcoin and energy markets.

Bitcoin mining firm MARA said it sold $1.5 billion worth of Bitcoin and reported a net loss of $1.26 billion for the first quarter.