Bitcoin Miner TeraWulf Restructures Debt

A slew of mining firms have restructured their debt loads while others are facing bankruptcy.

AccessTimeIconFeb 2, 2023 at 4:02 p.m. UTC
Updated May 9, 2023 at 4:07 a.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now

TeraWulf (WULF) is the latest bitcoin miner to restructure its debt obligations in order to stave off negative cash flow.

Miners such as Bitfarms (BITF) and Greenidge Generation (GREE) have paid down or restructured their debt as the bear market, coupled with high energy prices over the last few months, have taken a toll on the industry. Some of those that haven't been able to restructure have started Chapter 11 bankruptcy procedures, sold assets or faced margin calls.

  • Celsius CEO Alex Mashinsky Owes Transparency to Creditors, Says Legal Expert
    01:20
    Celsius CEO Alex Mashinsky Owes Transparency to Creditors, Says Legal Expert
  • Moody’s Downgrades Coinbase’s Debt on Profitability Concerns
    06:13
    Moody’s Downgrades Coinbase’s Debt on Profitability Concerns
  • Standoff Over $28T of US Government Debt Could Rattle Bitcoin Market
    07:49
    Standoff Over $28T of US Government Debt Could Rattle Bitcoin Market
  • Under the restructuring signed on Jan. 27, amortization of the term loan will be replaced with a free cash flow sweep mechanism through April 2024, according to a Wednesday press release. TeraWulf will also be able to extend the maturity date of its term term loan to April of 2024, as long as it manages to raise an undisclosed "requisite amount of equity proceeds by March 15, 2023."

    On Wednesday, the mining firm announced a public offering of common stock, which it priced calling for gross proceeds of $25 million. The offering is expected to close on or about Feb. 6, subject to customary closing conditions.

    At the end of the third quarter of 2022, TeraWulf had $138.5 million of principal outstanding on the term loan. Its biggest mining facility is a 60-megawatt site in New York.

    TeraWulf stock was down 32% on Wednesday as of the time of writing.

    TeraWulf is one of the most indebted publicly listed miners, according to data analyzed by CoinDesk in June. The miner's cash reserves were running low in the third quarter.

    TeraWulf has also raised $6.75 million in equity in the past several months. The two co-founders, Chief Executive Officer Paul Prager and Chief Operating Officer Nazar Khan, bought $2.5 million in TeraWulf stock for $1.05 per share in a private placement, adding to the $15 million they have already invested in the company. They have also "received approximately $4.25 million in proceeds from the exercise of certain private placement warrants issued in December 2022," according to the press release.

    Disclosure

    Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

    CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.

    Eliza Gkritsi

    Eliza Gkritsi is a CoinDesk contributor focused on the intersection of crypto and AI.


    Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.