Mining Firm MARA Announces About 15% Layoffs, Further Strategic Shift Toward Energy and Digital Infrastructure
On April 3, U.S.-listed Bitcoin mining firm MARA announced a roughly 15% layoff, cutting full-time staff across multiple departments and some contract workers. The move is part of its strategic shift from a pure Bitcoin mining company to an energy and digital infrastructure firm.
Earlier this February, MARA completed the majority acquisition of Exaion — a subsidiary of French state-owned energy giant EDF — officially entering the AI and high-performance computing space. It also struck a deal with data center developer Starwood to repurpose ~1 GW of mining infrastructure for AI workloads.
Recently, MARA sold over 15,133 BTC (roughly $1.1 billion) to repay $1 billion in convertible bonds. This led to a full-year net loss of $1.3 billion in 2025, with adjusted EBITDA at -$330.8 million.
Per Bitget market data, MARA stock bucked the trend with an 8.33% gain, closing at $8.17.
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Japanese and South Korean Stock Markets Open Higher, Nikkei 225 Index Up by 1.17%
According to market data from Bitget, the Nikkei 225 Index opened higher on Friday, April 3, rising 615.75 points (1.17%) to 53,079.02 points. The South Korean KOSPI Index also opened up the same day, gaining 145.0 points (2.77%) to 5,379.05 points.
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Escalation in US-Iran Conflict, Iran's Iconic Bridge Bombed, Spot Crude Oil Surges Past $140, Reaching New High Since 2008
**US, Israel Strike Iranian Bridge; Iran Vows Retaliation, Oil Prices Surge**
April 3rd — The U.S. and Israel targeted Iranian infrastructure Wednesday, bombing the iconic Beiyek Bridge on the Beyk Highway in Kalaj-e Karim, Iran. The bridge—billed as the Middle East’s highest, a landmark engineering project, and part of the Tehran-Kalaj corridor core—was damaged ahead of its planned opening.
Iran immediately vowed retaliation, launching its *Real Commitment Operation Round 90* in response.
### Market Reaction
- WTI crude oil jumped nearly 15% intraday, settling above $110 for the first time since 2022.
- Brent spot prices skyrocketed above $140, hitting their highest level since 2008.
### Latest Developments
#### Iranian Actions/Statements
- Deputy Foreign Minister Gharibabadi: Iran is drafting a transit agreement with Oman for the Strait of Hormuz.
- Launched the 90th wave of its operation, striking U.S.-linked metal industry facilities.
- Partial power outage
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Sonic Labs: Approximately 32.69 million S Tokens Remain Unclaimed
April 3 — Sonic Labs announced in an official statement that approximately 32.69 million S tokens from its Season 1 and Season 2 airdrops remain unclaimed.
Unclaimed tokens by the final deadline will be burned on October 15, 2026.
**Claim Rules by Season:**
- **Season 1:** Claim by April 18, 2026 to avoid penalties; claims between April 18 and October 15, 2026 will incur penalties.
- **Season 2:** Claim by May 24, 2026 to avoid penalties; no penalties apply for claims made between May 24 and October 15, 2026.
Any tokens unclaimed by the October 15, 2026 deadline will be permanently destroyed.
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US Adjusts Steel, Aluminum, and Copper Tariffs: Exempt for Low Content, Value-based for High Content
**April 3 (Local Time) – President Donald Trump signed a statement Thursday adjusting U.S. national security tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper imports. The changes aim to:
- Lower tariff rates on metal-derived products
- Simplify the import declaration process
- Curb misdeclaration of import values
The statement notes the U.S. will retain a 50% tariff on bulk steel, aluminum, and copper—but this rate applies to the price U.S. consumers pay. Other key updates:
- Eliminate the 50% tariff on derivative products of these metals if their metal content (by weight) is below 15%
- Remove Section 232 tariffs on products with very low metal content
U.S. officials say the changes won’t have a significant economic impact compared to the prior tariff system. However, levying the 50% tariff on the total sales value of bulk metals may generate additional revenue.
(Source: Jinse)**
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