MARA Launches Bitcoin Development Foundation with $100K Grant Vote for Community Projects

MARA Holdings Introduces Bitcoin-Focused Foundation to Support Network Development

MARA Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: MARA) has launched the MARA Foundation, a new initiative dedicated to strengthening the Bitcoin network and expanding access to bitcoin as a financial tool. The foundation was unveiled today at the Bitcoin 2026 conference in Las Vegas.

Foundation’s Five Core Focus Areas

The MARA Foundation will support Bitcoin development across five key areas:

• Network security, including research into quantum resistance;
• Open-source software development;
• Access to self-custody tools and infrastructure;
• Public policy and advocacy;
• Education for users, developers, and policymakers.

$100,000 Community Grant Vote Launched

To mark its launch, the foundation introduced a $100,000 grant, to be awarded to one of three selected organizations through a community vote. Voting is open until April 29 at 3:00 PM PST via the foundation’s website, with in-person voting available at MARA’s conference booth.

“Our new initiative is dedicated to supporting the long-term strength, resilience and accessibility of the Bitcoin network.”

Fred Thiel, MARA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Grant Recipients and Their Missions

The three organizations selected for the grant include:

• SateNet: Builds community-operated wireless networks powered by Bitcoin;
• 256 Foundation: Funds open-source Bitcoin mining hardware and software development;
• Libreria de Satoshi: Expands access to Bitcoin technical education across languages and regions.

Thiel highlighted MARA’s role in Bitcoin mining as a driver for supporting the protocol’s long-term development. He stated that the foundation will fund researchers, developers, and educators contributing to Bitcoin’s next phase of growth.

“We mine Bitcoin. We help secure the network every day. That gives us a responsibility to invest in the protocol’s long-term health, not just its short-term economics.”

Fred Thiel, MARA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

The winning organization will be announced after the voting period closes.

MARA’s Strategic Financial Moves and Bitcoin Holdings

In March, MARA Holdings sold 15,133 Bitcoin for approximately $1.1 billion to fund the repurchase of its 0% convertible senior notes. This transaction reduced its outstanding convertible debt by roughly 30%, from about $3.3 billion to $2.3 billion, achieving savings through discounted buybacks.

The company noted that this move strengthened its balance sheet, limited potential shareholder dilution, and supported its broader shift toward AI and high-performance computing. MARA’s Bitcoin holdings subsequently decreased to 38,689 BTC.

As of recent market data, MARA shares are trading near $11.65 per share.