Fourth Quarter GAAP Earnings of $10.6m and Non-GAAP Earnings of $27.8m
Full Year 2023 Revenues of $126.8m
Increased Hash Rate to 7.4 EH/s in First Quarter 2024 and on track to reach 9.3 EH/s by end of Third Quarter 2024, with potential to grow to 25 EH/s by the end of 2025
NEW YORK, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cipher Mining Inc.(NASDAQ: CIFR) ("Cipher" or the "Company") today announced results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023, with an update on its operations and deployment strategy.
"We are delighted to announce our fourth quarter 2023 results, which reflect our first full quarter in which all four of our data centers were operating at full capacity. We delivered a quarter with strong positive net income on both a GAAP and Non-GAAP basis. And while recent FASB accounting changes have been a tailwind for all the miners’ earnings, Cipher was net positive for the quarter even without those accounting changes,” said Tyler Page, CEO of Cipher. “These record results are driven by our best-in-class unit economics.”
“We are particularly excited about our expansion plans for 2024 and 2025. We expect to be at 9.3 EH/s by the end of Q3 2024 via the fully funded expansions at our Bear and Chief data centers and over 16 EH/s in the first half of 2025 via the fully funded phase one build of our Black Pearl data center. We have the potential to grow to 25 EH/s by the end of 2025 with the eventual completion of Black Pearl. We have already seen the results we can achieve with our operational leverage. With the strength of our balance sheet, our expansion plans and proven track record on execution, we expect to be a clear winner through the halving and into the next cycle.”
Finance and Operations Highlights
Achieved record revenues and net profits on both a GAAP and Non-GAAP basis in the first quarter of operations since inception with fully deployed data centers
30 MW expansion at each of Bear and Chief JV data centers, delivering 1.25 EH/s of self-mining capacity, on track for Q2 2024 deployment
Closed the acquisition of the 300 MW Black Pearl facility and commenced construction work at the site for expected partial energization in Q2 2025
Business Update Call and Webcast
Cipher will host a conference call and webcast today at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the fourth quarter and full year results for 2023 and management’s outlook for operations and growth plans. The live webcast and a webcast replay of the conference call can be accessed from the investor relations section of Cipher’s website at https://investors.ciphermining.com. To access this conference call by telephone, register here to receive dial-in numbers and a unique PIN to join the call.
About Cipher
Cipher is an emerging technology company focused on the development and operation of bitcoin mining data centers. Cipher is dedicated to expanding and strengthening the Bitcoin network's critical infrastructure. Together with its diversely talented team and strategic partnerships, Cipher aims to be a market leader in bitcoin mining growth and innovation. To learn more about Cipher, please visit https://www.ciphermining.com/.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws of the United States. The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and includes this statement for purposes of complying with these safe harbor provisions. Any statements made in this press release that are not statements of historical fact, including statements about our beliefs and expectations regarding our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy, timing and likelihood of success, potential expansion of and additional bitcoin mining data centers, expectations regarding the operations of mining centers, and management plans and objectives, are forward-looking statements and should be evaluated as such. Forward-looking statements include information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations, including descriptions of our business plan and strategies. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “could,” “seeks,” “intends,” “targets,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “strategy,” “future,” “forecasts,” “opportunity,” “predicts,” “potential,” “would,” “will likely result,” “continue,” and similar expressions (including the negative versions of such words or expressions).
These forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Cipher and our management, are inherently uncertain. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. New risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: volatility in the price of Cipher's securities due to a variety of factors, including changes in the competitive and regulated industry in which Cipher operates, variations in performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting Cipher's business, and the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations and to identify and realize additional opportunities. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and in Cipher's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Cipher assumes no obligation and, except as required by law, does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Contacts: Investor Contact: Josh Kane Head of Investor Relations at Cipher Mining josh.kane@ciphermining.com
Media Contact: Ryan Dicovitsky / Kendal Till Dukas Linden Public Relations CipherMining@DLPR.com
CIPHER MINING INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except for share and per share amounts)
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
$
86,105
$
11,927
Accounts receivable
622
98
Receivables, related party
245
1,102
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
3,670
7,254
Bitcoin
32,978
6,283
Derivative asset
31,878
21,071
Total current assets
155,498
47,735
Property and equipment, net
243,815
191,188
Deposits on equipment
30,812
73,018
Intangible assets, net
8,109
596
Investment in equity investees
35,258
37,478
Derivative asset
61,713
45,631
Operating lease right-of-use asset
7,077
5,087
Security deposits
23,855
17,730
Total assets
$
566,137
$
418,463
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable
$
4,980
$
14,286
Accounts payable, related party
1,554
3,083
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
22,439
19,353
Finance lease liability, current portion
3,404
2,567
Operating lease liability, current portion
1,166
1,030
Warrant liability
250
7
Total current liabilities
33,793
40,326
Asset retirement obligation
18,394
16,682
Finance lease liability
11,128
12,229
Operating lease liability
6,280
4,494
Deferred tax liability
5,206
1,840
Total liabilities
74,801
75,571
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)
Stockholders’ equity
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022
-
-
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 296,276,536 and 251,095,305 shares issued as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, and 290,957,862 and 247,551,958 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively
296
251
Additional paid-in capital
627,822
453,854
Accumulated deficit
(136,777
)
(111,209
)
Treasury stock, at par, 5,318,674 and 3,543,347 shares at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively
(5
)
(4
)
Total stockholders’ equity
491,336
342,892
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
566,137
$
418,463
CIPHER MINING INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands, except for share and per share amounts)
Years ended December 31,
2023
2022
Revenue - bitcoin mining
$
126,842
$
3,037
Costs and operating expenses (income)
Cost of revenue
50,309
748
General and administrative
85,195
70,836
Depreciation and amortization
59,093
4,378
Change in fair value of derivative asset
(26,836
)
(73,479
)
Power sales
(9,941
)
(458
)
Equity in losses of equity investees
2,530
36,972
Gains on fair value of bitcoin
(11,038
)
(6
)
Impairment of bitcoin
-
1,467
Other gains
(2,355
)
-
Total costs and operating expenses (income)
146,957
40,458
Operating loss
(20,115
)
(37,421
)
Other income (expense)
Interest income
164
215
Interest expense
(1,999
)
(137
)
Change in fair value of warrant liability
(243
)
130
Other expense
(17
)
-
Total other (expense) income
(2,095
)
208
Loss before taxes
(22,210
)
(37,213
)
Current income tax expense
(201
)
-
Deferred income tax expense
(3,366
)
(1,840
)
Total income tax expense
(3,567
)
(1,840
)
Net loss
$
(25,777
)
$
(39,053
)
Net loss per share - basic and diluted
$
(0.10
)
$
(0.16
)
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted
252,439,461
248,227,458
CIPHER MINING INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands)
Years ended December 31,
2023
2022
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss
$
(25,777
)
$
(39,053
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation
58,972
4,378
Amortization of intangible assets
121
-
Amortization of operating right-of-use asset
822
772
Share-based compensation
38,470
41,504
Equity in losses of equity investees
2,530
36,972
Impairment of bitcoin
-
1,467
Non-cash lease expense
1,940
137
Deferred income taxes
3,366
1,840
Bitcoin received as payment for services
(126,319
)
(2,939
)
Change in fair value of derivative asset
(26,836
)
(73,479
)
Change in fair value of warrant liability
243
(130
)
Gains on fair value of bitcoin
(11,038
)
(6
)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable
(524
)
(98
)
Receivables, related party
(1,203
)
(1,102
)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
3,531
6,433
Security deposits
(6,125
)
(7,378
)
Accounts payable
(9,306
)
892
Accounts payable, related party
(1,529
)
1,530
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
5,311
748
Lease liabilities
(890
)
(203
)
Proceeds from power sales
-
1,721
Proceeds from reduction of scheduled power
-
5,056
Proceeds from sale of Bitcoin
-
23
Net cash used in operating activities
(94,241
)
(20,915
)
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from sale of bitcoin
111,188
-
Deposits on equipment
(33,906
)
(188,103
)
Purchases of property and equipment
(20,480
)
(39,219
)
Purchases and development of software
(634
)
(596
)
Capital distributions from equity investees
3,808
54,009
Investment in equity investees
(3,545
)
-
Prepayments on financing lease
(3,676
)
-
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
52,755
(173,909
)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock
135,848
-
Offering costs paid for the issuance of common stock
(3,404
)
-
Repurchase of common shares to pay employee withholding taxes
(3,902
)
(3,090
)
Principal payments on financing lease
(12,878
)
-
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
115,664
(3,090
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
74,178
(197,914
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period
11,927
209,841
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period
$
86,105
$
11,927
CIPHER MINING INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS - CONTINUED (in thousands)
Years ended December 31,
2023
2022
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities
Reclassification of deposits on equipment to property and equipment
$
74,186
$
105,904
Right-of-use asset obtained in exchange for finance lease liability
$
14,212
$
14,998
Issuance of common stock in exchange for intangible assets
$
7,000
$
-
Right-of-use asset obtained in exchange for operating lease liability
$
2,812
$
-
Reclassification of receivables, related party to investment in equity investees
$
2,060
$
-
Equity method investment acquired for non-cash consideration
$
1,926
$
127,796
Sales tax accrual on machine purchases
$
1,209
$
-
Bitcoin received from equity investees
$
317
$
4,828
Common stock cancelled
$
-
$
10,000
Property and equipment purchases in accounts payable, accounts payable, related party and accrued expenses
$
-
$
13,994
Right-of-use asset obtained in exchange for operating lease liability
$
-
$
5,859
Investment in equity investees in accrued expenses
$
-
$
5,316
Deposits on equipment in accounts payable, accounts payable, related party and accrued expenses
$
-
$
13,403
Initial estimate of asset retirement obligation and related capitalized costs
$
-
$
16,509
Reclassification of deferred investment costs to investment in equity investees
$
-
$
174
Finance lease cost in accrued expenses
$
-
$
339
Prepaid rent reclassified to operating lease liability
$
-
$
132
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The following are reconciliations of our Adjusted Earnings, in each case excluding the impact of (i) the non-cash change in fair value of derivative asset, (ii) share-based compensation expense, (iii) depreciation and amortization, (iv) deferred income tax expense, (v) nonrecurring gains and losses and (vi) the non-cash change in fair value of warrant liability, to the most directly comparable GAAP measures for the periods indicated (in thousands):
