MARA Buys 1,292 Bitcoin as Miner Expands AI Computing Strategy
MARA Holdings has acquired 1,292 Bitcoin for approximately $98.64 million, resuming Bitcoin accumulation as the mining company continues expanding its artificial intelligence computing business.
The purchase was executed through FalconX in an over-the-counter transaction at an average price of $76,347 per Bitcoin, according to Arkham Intelligence. The acquisition marks a shift from MARA’s Bitcoin treasury activity earlier in 2026, when the company sold more than 20,880 BTC worth approximately $1.5 billion.
MARA used proceeds from those sales to strengthen its balance sheet, including reducing debt, repurchasing convertible bonds and investing in data centers designed to support artificial intelligence workloads.
MARA Rebuilds Bitcoin Holdings After Major Sales
Following the earlier sales, MARA’s operating wallet balance declined to 9,658 BTC, valued at approximately $729.7 million when Bitcoin was trading near $75,494.
The company also has more than 25,000 BTC held through Fidelity Custody, keeping MARA among the largest corporate Bitcoin holders despite the treasury reduction during the first half of the year.
The latest acquisition adds 1,292 BTC back to MARA’s holdings while leaving its broader investment in AI infrastructure intact. The transaction therefore represents a return to accumulation rather than a reversal of the company’s strategy to diversify its computing operations.
Mining Economics Push MARA Toward AI Computing
The purchase comes as Bitcoin miners continue dealing with higher production costs and pressure on revenue from mining operations.
CoinShares estimates that publicly traded miners spent an average of $75,500 to produce one Bitcoin during the second quarter of 2026. Bitcoin ended that quarter at approximately $58,400, while average daily hashprice fell to $27.70 per petahash per second in June.
The combination of higher costs and weaker mining economics has prompted some companies to scale back expansion plans, cancel equipment purchases or reassess their business models.
Core Scientific, for example, paid $41.9 million to cancel an equipment order representing 15 exahashes per second of planned mining capacity. Smaller mining companies have also reduced operations amid pressure from electricity, equipment and financing costs.
MARA has responded by developing data centers capable of handling both Bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence computing workloads. The approach is intended to create additional opportunities to generate revenue from computing capacity while maintaining Bitcoin as a significant component of the company's treasury strategy.
The latest FalconX purchase indicates that MARA continues to selectively accumulate Bitcoin even as it directs substantial capital toward artificial intelligence infrastructure. The acquisition also replaces part of the Bitcoin previously sold to fund financial restructuring and data-center development.
Writer: Marcus RenfieldCrypto Market Analyst & Onchain WriterMarcus Renfield covers cryptocurrency markets with a focus on onchain data, Bitcoin price action, and emerging market narratives. His writing examines how capital flows, network activity, and broader market structure influence short- and medium-term trends.He aims to provide clear, data-informed analysis for readers seeking a deeper understanding of crypto market dynamics.