MARA’s Exaion deal could bar EDF from Bitcoin mining, AI and cloud for two years: Report

Key Takeaways

• Investigative journalists uncovered a hidden clause in the sale agreement between Électricité de France and MARA.
• The deal would restrict the state energy giant’s ability to engage in any high-performance computing activity for two years.

Bitcoin mining giant MARA Holdings announced in August it had acquired a 64% stake in Exaion, a subsidiary of Electricité de France (EDF), in a deal valued at approximately $168 million. The deal is part of MARA’s strategy to expand into artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure.

According to an investigation by The Big Whale’s Gregory Raymond and Raphaël Bloch issued on Friday, if the deal goes through, EDF will be barred from engaging in any HPC activity for two years.

The restriction reportedly covers not only Bitcoin mining but also AI computing, cloud services, and even the supply of energy or support for HPC companies, potentially including France’s own AI flagship, Mistral AI.

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