MARA Holdings Sets a New Standard with 50 EH/s Milestone after $1.1B BTC Investment

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Web3 is moving fast, but so do we. In just 5 minutes, catch today’s Big Story, Alpha Toolkits, and Market Movers—curated by Darius Kraucionis.

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Big Story?

“The One Web3 Trend You Can’t Ignore This Week”

MARA Holdings Sets a New Standard with 50 EH/s Milestone after $1.1B BTC Investment

Marathon Digital Holdings (MARA) has taken a bold step in the cryptocurrency mining space with its recent purchase of 11,774 Bitcoin for $1.1 billion. This brings MARA’s total holdings to an impressive 40,435 BTC, valued at $3.92 billion as of December 9, 2024.

The acquisition, funded by a zero-coupon convertible note offering, was made at an average price of $96,000 per Bitcoin. Despite this significant investment, MARA’s stock saw a 4.4% dip on December 10, closing at $22.81, with a modest after-hours gain of just over 1%.

MARA also reached a milestone, becoming the first public Bitcoin miner to reach an energized hashrate of 50 exahashes per second (EH/s). This accomplishment further cements its position as a leader in Bitcoin mining.

While the short-term market reaction may seem cautious, MARA’s strategic expansion further emphasizes its commitment to scaling operations, enhancing mining efficiency, and contributing to the overall security of the Bitcoin network.?

Alpha Toolkits

"Tools, guide, and educational tips to Build Smarter in Web3."

Schnorr Signatures: A Smarter Way to Secure Transactions

Schnorr signature was introduced in 1989 by Claus Schnorr, a digital signature method celebrated for their simplicity and efficiency. It leverages the discrete logarithm problem to provide strong security.

What sets Schnorr signatures apart is signature aggregation—the ability to combine multiple signatures into one compact signature. This innovation is particularly beneficial in blockchain applications, reducing storage needs and increasing transaction efficiency. For instance, Bitcoin's Taproot upgrade incorporates Schnorr signatures to enable more complex transaction types while preserving privacy and efficiency.

In short, Schnorr signatures offer a leaner, more effective way to authenticate transactions, making them indispensable for modern cryptography and blockchain advancements. Perfect for tech that demands both speed and security.

Read More.

Market Movers

"Who’s Winning (and Losing) in the Market Today."

Winners and losers in the past 12H.

Altcoins are expected to continue a "slow bleed" until late January 2025, according to analysts like Felix Hartmann. While Bitcoin could retest the $99K mark, traders are urged to be cautious amid significant market volatility.

El Salvador and Argentina’s regulators have signed an agreement to collaborate on developing their crypto industries. This partnership aims to foster innovation and share expertise in crypto regulation.?

Chinese law enforcement introduces AI-powered crime-fighting robots capable of tracking movements, identifying suspects, and scanning digital activity. These advancements raise serious concerns about surveillance and privacy.

AI-driven memecoins are surging in 2025, with innovative projects leveraging AI to create viral tokens that capture market attention. Analysts warn of high risks despite the hype.?

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