MARA Holdings made a strategic move in production and reserve management, allocating 7,377 BTC, equivalent to 16.4% of its total reserves, to short-term loans in order to provide returns to its shareholders. Please provide the text to be translated. Bitcoin mining giant MARA Holdings announced in its December 2024 production report that it allocated a total of 7,377 BTC, equivalent to 16.4% of its total Bitcoin reserves, to short-term third-party loans. With this move, the company aims to provide its shareholders with "modest single-digit returns."

Robert Samuels, vice president responsible for investor relations at MARA, stated that the credit program in question is active throughout 2024 and focuses on short-term agreements with reliable third parties. However, the identities of the parties receiving the credit were not disclosed. The company's initiative aims to balance operational costs and increase long-term shareholder value.

Bitcoin reserve

During 2024, MARA purchased 22,065 BTC at an average price of $87,205, and also obtained 9,457 BTC through mining. The company's total Bitcoin reserves exceeded 44,893 BTC, surpassing $4.4 billion at the current prices. Additionally, the company achieved a hash rate of 53.2 EH/s, surpassing its target of 50 EH/s in 2024. However, there was a 2% decrease in BTC production compared to November due to a slight decrease in the "luck factor" in mining.

Fred Thiel, CEO of MARA, stated that the hybrid model, which combines mining and acquisition activities, increases the company's flexibility. Thiel expressed that this strategy provides the opportunity to acquire Bitcoin at attractive prices and strengthens long-term shareholder value.

While MARA's short-term credit strategy is seen as a step towards balancing operational costs, this approach is also considered as an example for other mining companies in the industry.