Gryphon Digital Mining Announces January and February Operational Updates

Record hashrate achieved as bitcoin efficiency continues to lead peers

LAS VEGAS, March 24, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Gryphon Digital Mining, (“Gryphon” or the “Company”), a leading net carbon neutral bitcoin miner, has released its operational updates for January and February 2023.

Key highlights for each month:

January:

• Produced approximately 82 bitcoin-equivalent coins
• Achieved peer-leading bitcoin efficiency of 113 BTC/EH
• Record average hashing power of 730 PH/s

February:

• Produced approximately 66 bitcoin-equivalent coins
• Achieved top two-level bitcoin efficiency of 94 BTC/EH
• Recorded average hashing power of 703 PH/s

During January, Gryphon mined approximately 82 bitcoin-equivalent coins with an average hashing power of 730 PH/s. In February, the number of bitcoin-equivalents earned declined to 66 due to a rise in global network hashrate in response to a 37% increase in the price of bitcoin over the first two months of the year.

Gryphon’s January performance translated into a bitcoin efficiency rating of 113 BTC/EH, placing it first among a peer group of companies whose efficiency has been publicly reported and averaged 95 BTC/EH. The Company’s February efficiency rating of 94 BTC/EH ranked second among a group of peers that posted an average score of 82 BTC/EH. Since Gryphon commenced operations in September 2021, it has consistently placed among the top three of these publicly available bitcoin efficiency scores – ranking at or tied for first in eight of the last 12 months.

Month over month, the number of coins mined increased by approximately 15% in January from the previous month, while it later declined by 20% in February. The average hashing power by the Company increased by 17% in January to a record 730 PH/s, as high electricity prices caused by severe weather during the December holiday season led to periods of curtailment in the prior month. In February, hashing power declined by 4% to 703 PH/s due to a three-day curtailment period caused by high energy costs in response to cold weather.

In addition to its mining operations, Gryphon has also made progress on its previously announced merger with Akerna Corp. (Nasdaq:KERN) to create a leading, ESG-committed, carbon-neutral bitcoin miner. Upon completion of the merger, Akerna will change its name to Gryphon Digital Mining Inc. The merger is expected to provide Akerna shareholders with access to the bitcoin mining industry with one of its premier operators. The parties are working closely and diligently to prepare the required filings for the merger with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and NASDAQ.

Overall, Gryphon Digital Mining has shown strong operational performance in the first two months of 2023, maintaining its position as a leader in the net carbon neutral bitcoin mining industry. Investors can learn more about Gryphon by visiting http://gryphondigitalmining.com/ and following it on Twitter @GryphonMining.

About Gryphon Digital Mining
Gryphon Digital Mining, Inc. is an innovative venture in the cryptocurrency space dedicated to helping bring digital assets onto the clean energy grid. With a talented leadership team coming from globally recognized brands, Gryphon is assembling thought leaders to improve digital asset network infrastructure. Its Bitcoin mining operation has a net carbon-negative strategy. More information is available on http://gryphondigitalmining.com/.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

This communication may be deemed to be solicitation material with respect to the proposed transactions between Akerna and Gryphon and between Akerna and POSaBIT Systems Corporation (“POSaBIT”). In connection with the proposed transactions, Akerna intends to file relevant materials with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including a registration statement on Form S-4 that will contain a prospectus and a proxy statement. Akerna will mail the proxy statement/prospectus to the Akerna stockholders, and the securities to be issued pursuant to the prospectus may not be sold or exchanged until the registration statement becomes effective. Investors and securityholders of Akerna and Gryphon are urged to read these materials when they become available because they will contain important information about Akerna, Gryphon and the proposed transactions. This communication is not a substitute for the registration statement, definitive proxy statement/prospectus or any other documents that Akerna may file with the SEC or send to securityholders in connection with the proposed transactions. Investors and securityholders may obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC, once available, on Akerna’s website at http://www.akerna.com, on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov or by directing a request to Akerna’s Investor Relations at (516) 419-9915.

This communication is not a proxy statement or a solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the proposed transactions, and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Participants in the Solicitation

Each of Akerna, Gryphon, POSaBIT and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Akerna in connection with the proposed transactions. Information about the executive officers and directors of Akerna are set forth in Akerna’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A relating to the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the SEC on April 19, 2022. Other information regarding the interests of such individuals, who may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Akerna, will be set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus, which will be included in Akerna’s registration statement on Form S-4 when it is filed with the SEC. You may obtain free copies of these documents as described above.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements based upon the current expectations of Gryphon and Akerna. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation: (i) the risk that the conditions to the closing of the proposed transactions are not satisfied, including the failure to timely obtain stockholder approval for the transactions, if at all; (ii) uncertainties as to the timing of the consummation of the proposed transactions and the ability of each of Akerna, Gryphon and POSaBIT to consummate the proposed merger or asset sale, as applicable; (iii) risks related to Akerna’s ability to manage its operating expenses and its expenses associated with the proposed transactions pending closing; (iv) risks related to the failure or delay in obtaining required approvals from any governmental or quasi-governmental entity necessary to consummate the proposed transactions; (v) the risk that as a result of adjustments to the exchange ratio, Akerna stockholders and Gryphon stockholders could own more or less of the combined company than is currently anticipated; (vi) risks related to the market price of Akerna’s common stock relative to the exchange ratio; (vii) unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from either or both of the proposed transactions; (viii) potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the proposed transactions; (ix) risks related to the inability of the combined company to obtain sufficient additional capital to continue to advance its business plan; and (x) risks associated with the possible failure to realize certain anticipated benefits of the proposed transactions, including with respect to future financial and operating results. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties. These and other risks and uncertainties are more fully described in periodic filings with the SEC, including the factors described in the section titled “Risk Factors” in Akerna’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC, and in other filings that Akerna makes and will make with the SEC in connection with the proposed transactions, including the proxy statement/prospectus described under “Additional Information and Where to Find It.” You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are made only as of the date hereof or as of the dates indicated in the forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, Akerna and Gryphon expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based.

Media Contact

Elyse Bender-Segall, PR Revolution, (516) 901-9095, elyse@prrevolution.com

Rob Chang, Gryphon Digital Mining, (877) 646-3374, invest@gryphonmining.com

SOURCE Gryphon Digital Mining