Overview
CleanSpark Inc. (NASDAQ: CLSK), known as "America's Bitcoin Miner®," is a leading player in the bitcoin mining industry. Founded in 1987 by S. Matthew Schultz and Bryan Huber, the company is headquartered in Henderson, Nevada. CleanSpark operates as a pure-play bitcoin mining technology company, managing data centers across the United States. Its facilities are strategically located in Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, Wyoming, and New York. The company's focus is on optimizing mining operations using low-cost, high-reliability energy to maximize shareholder returns. Key Performance Highlights (2024):
- Mined 7,024 bitcoins annually, with 668 bitcoins in December alone
- Achieved 287.9% hashrate growth and 33.3% improvement in fleet efficiency year-over-year
- Exceeded year-end guidance with an operating hashrate of 39.1 EH/s and fleet efficiency of 17.6 J/Th Expansion and Future Plans:
- Aiming to reach a hashrate of 50 EH/s by the first half of 2025
- Secured $650 million through a zero-coupon convertible bond offering to fund expansion
- Focusing on both greenfield infrastructure development and strategic mergers and acquisitions Sustainability and Community Impact:
- Emphasizes commitment to sustainable power sources and community engagement
- Participates in renewable energy programs when possible
- Contributes to local communities through infrastructure improvements, job creation, and tax payments Financial and Operational Highlights (as of December 31, 2024):
- Held 9,952 bitcoins
- Deployed fleet of 201,808 miners
- Contracted power capacity of 853 MW
- Sold 12.65 bitcoins in December at an average price of approximately $101,246 per bitcoin CleanSpark's position as a leader in the U.S. bitcoin mining industry is reinforced by its focus on operational excellence, cost efficiency, and sustainable practices.
Leadership Team
CleanSpark's success is driven by a strong leadership team with diverse expertise in bitcoin mining, technology, and finance. Key members include: Zach Bradford - CEO, President, and Director
- Co-founder of CleanSpark
- Appointed in December 2016
- Led the company through significant growth, including Nasdaq up-listing and raising over $1 billion in capital
- Executed multiple strategic acquisitions Matt Schultz - Co-founder and Executive Chairman
- Former CEO
- Instrumental in transitioning CleanSpark from alternative energy to renewable energy sector
- Identified critical software for microgrid deployment
- Helped raise over a billion dollars in capital Scott Garrison - Chief Operating Officer (COO)
- Over 30 years of experience in business plan development and implementation
- Managed construction of several data centers in Georgia
- Developed relationships with local communities and utility providers Taylor Monnig - Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
- Expert in immersion cooling technology
- Led mining operations teams and developed supporting technology
- Crucial in improving fleet efficiency and maintaining high uptime at data centers Brian Carson - Chief Accounting Officer
- Over 30 years of experience in corporate accounting and financial planning
- Joined CleanSpark in October 2022
- Previous experience includes roles at SAHARA Las Vegas and Deloitte Brad Audiss - Senior Vice President of Operations
- Oversees staffing, hardware, budgets, and operational performance at Bitcoin mining sites
- Background in supply chain management and logistics This leadership team combines extensive industry experience with technical expertise, driving CleanSpark's strategic initiatives and fostering sustainable growth in the bitcoin mining and clean energy sectors.
History
CleanSpark's journey from its inception to becoming a leading bitcoin mining company is marked by significant transformations and strategic pivots: Early Years (1987-2014):
- Founded as SmartData, focusing on intellectual-property research for alternative fuels
- Halted operations in 1992
- Rebranded as Stratean in 2014 Transition and Merger (2016):
- Stratean merged with CleanSpark and Specialized Energy Solutions
- Adopted the CleanSpark brand Microgrid Technology Phase:
- Focused on developing microgrids integrating renewable energy sources
- Created systems capable of operating independently or integrated with centralized grids Pivot to Bitcoin Mining (2021):
- Acquired ATL Data Centers in May 2021
- Upgraded mining operations using proprietary microgrid technology
- Shifted primary revenue source to mining and selling Bitcoin Rapid Growth (Fiscal 2021-2023):
- Revenue increased from $49.4 million to $168.4 million (85% CAGR)
- Hash rate grew from 1.01 EH/s to 10 EH/s
- Annual Bitcoin mined increased from 892 to 6,903 Recent Expansions:
- By June 2024, hash rate more than doubled to 20.4 EH/s
- Acquired five turnkey sites in Georgia
- Agreed to buy GRIID Infrastructure in a $155 million all-stock deal Competitive Advantage:
- Use of renewable energy and microgrid technology sets CleanSpark apart from competitors
- Favorable stock performance due to high growth rates and expansion plans Financial Outlook (Fiscal 2024):
- Projected revenue increase of 152% to $423.6 million
- Expected adjusted EBITDA surge to $291.8 million
- Positive operational performance despite GAAP net losses due to aggressive expansion CleanSpark's history demonstrates its ability to adapt to market trends and leverage its technological expertise to become a leader in the bitcoin mining industry.
Products & Solutions
CleanSpark, Inc. (Nasdaq: CLSK) is a diversified company specializing in energy technology, Bitcoin mining, and microgrid management. Their key product and solution areas include:
- Bitcoin Mining: As "America's Bitcoin Miner," CleanSpark operates a fleet of Bitcoin miners, primarily in the United States. Their significant operation near Atlanta, Georgia, focuses on optimizing mining facilities for low-cost, high-reliability energy to maximize shareholder returns.
- Energy Software and Controls: The company offers advanced software and control technologies for microgrid and distributed energy resource management, including:
- Intelligent energy monitoring and controls
- Microgrid design software
- Middleware communications protocols
- Energy system engineering
- Custom hardware solutions
- Microgrid installation and implementation services
- Microgrid Solutions: CleanSpark excels in microgrid energy modeling, energy market communications, and management solutions. Their scalable software caters to various sectors, including commercial, industrial, military, agricultural, and municipal deployments.
- Residential Energy Solutions: Following the acquisition of Solar Watt Solutions, CleanSpark expanded into residential microgrids and battery energy storage. They participate in initiatives like California's Self Generation Incentive Program (SGIP), providing rebates for homeowners adding energy storage backup systems.
- Renewable Energy and Energy Storage: The company focuses on integrating renewables and energy storage into their operations, aiming for carbon neutrality at facilities like the ATL Data Center.
- Traditional Data Center Services: In addition to Bitcoin mining, CleanSpark operates traditional data centers, such as the ATL Data Centers LLC acquired in 2021. CleanSpark's diverse portfolio addresses modern energy challenges through innovative software, controls, and technology solutions while maintaining a significant presence in the Bitcoin mining industry.
Core Technology
CleanSpark's core technology is fundamental to its success as a leading Bitcoin miner. Key aspects of their technological advancements and strategies include:
- Leadership: Taylor Monnig, recently appointed as Chief Technology Officer, brings extensive expertise in immersion cooling and has been crucial in developing mining operations and supporting technologies.
- Efficiency and Uptime: Under Monnig's leadership, the company has achieved significant improvements in fleet efficiency through software and hardware upgrades. The current fleet efficiency of 17.7 J/Th is expected to improve further as part of strategic growth plans.
- Technological Infrastructure: CleanSpark has established a state-of-the-art control and analytics room at its Henderson, Nevada headquarters. This facility enables remote monitoring of the company's growing portfolio of data centers, enhancing operational efficiency and oversight.
- Automation and Innovation: The technology team focuses on automation and uptime, ensuring CleanSpark remains at the forefront of Bitcoin mining technology. This includes ongoing development of the company's tech stack to support operations and drive industry innovation.
- Energy Efficiency: CleanSpark's data centers are optimized to utilize low-cost, high-reliability energy, often from low-carbon power sources. This approach aligns with the company's sustainability vision and positions them for success in a dynamic market. CleanSpark's core technology emphasizes efficiency, innovation, and sustainability, driven by a strong leadership team and a commitment to operational excellence in the Bitcoin mining industry.
Industry Peers
CleanSpark, Inc. (CLSK) operates within the Information Technology industry, specifically in the Application Software sector. Key industry peers and competitors include: Direct Competitors in Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Mining:
- Hut 8 Corp: Engaged in digital asset mining and data center operations.
- HIVE Blockchain Technologies: A major player in blockchain and cryptocurrency mining.
- Bit Digital: Focuses on bitcoin mining and other digital assets.
- Terawulf: Involved in bitcoin mining and related infrastructure.
- Bitfarms: A cryptocurrency mining company with a focus on bitcoin. Broader Industry Peers in Application Software: While the above companies are direct competitors in cryptocurrency mining, CleanSpark also compares to other companies within the broader Application Software industry:
- Riot Platforms (RIOT): Involved in bitcoin mining and blockchain technologies.
- Marathon Digital Holdings (MARA): Another key player in the digital asset mining sector. These comparisons help investors and analysts evaluate CleanSpark's performance, valuation, and growth prospects relative to its peers in both the specific cryptocurrency mining segment and the broader application software industry. Understanding the competitive landscape is crucial for assessing CleanSpark's position and potential in this rapidly evolving market.