MARA Foundation Launches with Five Focus Areas
Bitcoin miner MARA Holdings (NASDAQ: MARA) announced the MARA Foundation on the main stage of the Bitcoin 2026 conference in Las Vegas. The initiative aims to strengthen the Bitcoin network and expand access to bitcoin as a financial tool. It will support development across five pillars: network security (including research into quantum resistance), open-source software development, self-custody tools and infrastructure, public policy and advocacy, and education for users, developers, and policymakers.
“Our new initiative is dedicated to supporting the long-term strength, resilience and accessibility of the Bitcoin network,” said MARA Chairman and CEO Fred Thiel. He added that the company’s role in mining Bitcoin creates a responsibility to invest in the protocol’s long-term health, not just its short-term economics.
$100,000 Community Grant Vote
To mark the launch, the MARA Foundation opened a $100,000 contribution that will be awarded to one of three selected organizations through a community vote. Voting is open through April 29 at 3:00 PM PST on the foundation’s website, with in-person voting available at MARA’s conference booth. The winner will be announced after voting closes.
The Three Candidate Organizations
The three organizations chosen for the grant are:
- SateNet – builds community-operated wireless networks powered by Bitcoin.
- 256 Foundation – funds open-source Bitcoin mining hardware and software development.
- Libreria de Satoshi – focuses on expanding access to Bitcoin technical education across languages and regions.
Thiel stated that MARA’s daily work securing the Bitcoin network creates a duty to fund researchers, developers, and educators working on the next phase of Bitcoin’s growth.
March Sale: 15,133 BTC Sold for $1.1 Billion to Repay Debt
In March, MARA Holdings sold 15,133 bitcoin for approximately $1.1 billion to fund the repurchase of its 0% convertible senior notes. The company reduced its outstanding convertible debt by roughly 30%, bringing it from about $3.3 billion to $2.3 billion, and achieving savings from discounted buybacks.
MARA said the move strengthened its balance sheet, limited potential shareholder dilution, and supported its broader shift toward AI and high-performance computing. Its bitcoin holdings fell to 38,689 BTC. Shares of MARA are trading near $11.65 a share, according to recent market data.