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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
| | | | | |
☒ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
| For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023 |
OR
| | | | | |
☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
| For the transition period from to |
Commission file number 001-40046
Core Scientific, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Delaware | | 86-1243837 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
210 Barton Springs Road
Suite 300
Austin, Texas
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
78704
(Zip Code)
(512) 402-5233
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| | | | | | | | |
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share | CORZQ | OTC Markets* |
Warrants, exercisable for shares of common stock | CRZWQ | OTC Markets* |
* On January 3, 2023, Core Scientific, Inc. common stock and common stock warrants were suspended from trading on The Nasdaq Global Select Market. On January 3, 2023, Core Scientific, Inc. common stock and common stock warrants began trading on the OTC Markets operated by the OTC Markets Group, Inc., under the trading symbols CORZQ and CRZWQ, respectively.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports); and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company, or emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company”in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☒ | Emerging growth company | ☒ |
Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | | |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes ☒ No ☐
As of May 5, 2023, 376,566,674 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001, were outstanding.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part I - Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
Core Scientific, Inc.
(Debtor-in-Possession)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except par value)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
Assets | (Unaudited) | | |
Current Assets: | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 47,487 | | | $ | 15,884 | |
Restricted cash | 21,805 | | | 36,356 | |
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $8,724 and $8,724, respectively | 173 | | | 234 | |
Accounts receivable from related parties | 2 | | | 23 | |
| | | |
Digital assets | — | | | 724 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 30,728 | | | 31,881 | |
Total Current Assets | 100,195 | | | 85,102 | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | 628,037 | | | 691,134 | |
Operating lease right-of-use assets | 20,235 | | | 20,430 | |
| | | |
Intangible assets, net | 2,165 | | | 1,704 | |
Other noncurrent assets | 9,387 | | | 9,316 | |
Total Assets | $ | 760,019 | | | $ | 807,686 | |
Liabilities, Contingently Redeemable Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit | | | |
Current Liabilities: | | | |
Accounts payable | $ | 50,352 | | | $ | 53,641 | |
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 58,596 | | | 17,952 | |
Deferred revenue | 68,338 | | | 77,689 | |
Deferred revenue from related parties | 1,218 | | | 496 | |
| | | |
Operating lease liabilities, current portion | 597 | | | 769 | |
| | | |
Notes payable, current portion | 35,645 | | | 36,242 | |
| | | |
Total Current Liabilities | 214,746 | | | 186,789 | |
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion | 1,055 | | | 720 | |
| | | |
| | | |
Other noncurrent liabilities | 2,211 | | | 2,210 | |
Total liabilities not subject to compromise | 218,012 | | | 189,719 | |
Liabilities subject to compromise | 950,765 | | | 1,027,313 | |
Total Liabilities | 1,168,777 | | | 1,217,032 | |
Contingently redeemable preferred stock; $0.0001 par value; 2,000,000 shares authorized; — and — shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively; $— and $— total liquidation preference at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively | — | | | — | |
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8) | | | |
Stockholders’ Deficit: | | | |
Common stock; $0.0001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized at both March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022; 377,841 and 375,225 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively | 36 | | | 36 | |
Additional paid-in capital | 1,776,641 | | | 1,764,368 | |
Accumulated deficit | (2,185,435) | | | (2,173,750) | |
| | | |
Total Stockholders’ Deficit | (408,758) | | | (409,346) | |
Total Liabilities, Contingently Redeemable Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit | $ | 760,019 | | | $ | 807,686 | |
See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Core Scientific, Inc.
(Debtor-in-Possession)
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | | | | 2023 | | 2022 |
Revenue: | | | | | | | |
Hosting revenue from customers | | | | | $ | 18,909 | | | $ | 27,338 | |
Hosting revenue from related parties | | | | | 3,720 | | | 5,876 | |
Equipment sales to customers | | | | | — | | | 416 | |
Equipment sales to related parties | | | | | — | | | 25,889 | |
Digital asset mining revenue | | | | | 98,026 | | | 133,000 | |
Total revenue | | | | | 120,655 | | | 192,519 | |
Cost of revenue: | | | | | | | |
Cost of hosting services | | | | | 18,826 | | | 31,231 | |
Cost of equipment sales | | | | | — | | | 22,535 | |
Cost of digital asset mining | | | | | 81,345 | | | 68,750 | |
Total cost of revenue | | | | | 100,171 | | | 122,516 | |
Gross profit | | | | | 20,484 | | | 70,003 | |
| | | | | | | |
Gain from sales of digital assets | | | | | 1,064 | | | 2,163 | |
Impairment of digital assets | | | | | (1,056) | | | (53,985) | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | |
Research and development | | | | | 1,415 | | | 3,340 | |
Sales and marketing | | | | | 1,008 | | | 1,398 | |
General and administrative | | | | | 21,764 | | | 40,160 | |
Total operating expenses | | | | | 24,187 | | | 44,898 | |
Operating loss | | | | | (3,695) | | | (26,717) | |
Non-operating expenses, net: | | | | | | | |
Gain on debt extinguishment | | | | | (20,761) | | | — | |
Interest expense, net | | | | | 157 | | | 21,676 | |
Fair value adjustment on convertible notes | | | | | — | | | 386,037 | |
Fair value adjustment on derivative warrant liabilities | | | | | — | | | (10,275) | |
Reorganization items, net | | | | | 31,559 | | | — | |
Other non-operating (income), net | | | | | (3,069) | | | (357) | |
Total non-operating expenses, net | | | | | 7,886 | | | 397,081 | |
Loss before income taxes | | | | | (11,581) | | | (423,798) | |
Income tax expense | | | | | 104 | | | 42,406 | |
Net loss | | | | | $ | (11,685) | | | $ | (466,204) | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Net loss per share (Note 11): | | | | | | | |
Basic | | | | | $ | (0.03) | | | $ | (1.52) | |
Diluted | | | | | $ | (0.03) | | | $ | (1.52) | |
Weighted average shares outstanding: | | | | | | | |
Basic | | | | | 375,419 | | | 307,475 | |
Diluted | | | | | 375,419 | | | 307,475 | |
See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Core Scientific, Inc.
(Debtor-in-Possession)
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | | | | 2023 | | 2022 |
Net loss | | | | | $ | (11,685) | | | $ | (466,204) | |
Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes: | | | | | | | |
Change in fair value attributable to instrument-specific credit risk of convertible notes measured at fair value under the fair value option, net of tax effect of $— and $—, respectively | | | | | — | | | 27,164 | |
Total other comprehensive income, net of income taxes | | | | | — | | | 27,164 | |
Comprehensive loss | | | | | $ | (11,685) | | | $ | (439,040) | |
See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Core Scientific, Inc.
(Debtor-in-Possession)
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Contingently Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Common Stock | | Additional Paid-In Capital | | Accumulated Deficit | | | | Total Stockholders’ Deficit |
| | | | | | Shares | | Amount | | | | |
Balance at December 31, 2022 | | | | | | 375,225 | | | $ | 36 | | | $ | 1,764,368 | | | $ | (2,173,750) | | | | | $ | (409,346) | |
Net loss | | | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (11,685) | | | | | (11,685) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Stock-based compensation | | | | | | — | | | — | | | 12,273 | | | — | | | | | 12,273 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restricted stock awards issued, net of shares withheld for tax withholding obligations | | | | | | 2,616 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at March 31, 2023 | | | | | | 377,841 | | | $ | 36 | | | $ | 1,776,641 | | | $ | (2,185,435) | | | | | $ | (408,758) | |
See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Core Scientific, Inc.
(Debtor-in-Possession)
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Contingently Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Contingently Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock | | | Common Stock | | Additional Paid-In Capital | | Accumulated Deficit | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | | Total Stockholders’ Equity |
| Shares | | Amount | | | Shares | | Amount | | | | |
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Balance at December 31, 2021 | 10,826 | | | $ | 44,476 | | | | 271,576 | | | $ | 27 | | | $ | 1,379,581 | | | $ | (27,432) | | | $ | (10,966) | | | $ | 1,341,210 | |
Net loss | — | | | — | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (466,204) | | | — | | | (466,204) | |
Other comprehensive income, net of $— income taxes | — | | | — | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 27,164 | | | 27,164 | |
Stock-based compensation | — | | | — | | | | — | | | — | | | 20,573 | | | — | | | — | | | 20,573 | |
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Restricted stock awards issued, net of shares withheld for tax withholding obligations | — | | | — | | | | 6,803 | | | 1 | | | (1) | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
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Cashless exercise of warrants | — | | | — | | | | 3,001 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
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Conversion of contingently redeemable preferred stock to common stock | (10,826) | | | (44,476) | | | | 10,826 | | | 1 | | | 44,475 | | | — | | | — | | | 44,476 | |
Issuances of common stock - Merger with XPDI | — | | | — | | | | 30,778 | | | 3 | | | 163,456 | | | — | | | — | | | 163,459 | |
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Issuances of common stock - vendor settlement | — | | | — | | | | 1,580 | | | — | | | 12,674 | | | — | | | — | | | 12,674 | |
Costs attributable to issuance of common stock and equity instruments - Merger with XPDI | — | | | — | | | | — | | | — | | | (16,642) | | | — | | | — | | | (16,642) | |
Balance at March 31, 2022 | — | | | $ | — | | | | 324,564 | | | $ | 32 | | | $ | 1,604,116 | | | $ | (493,636) | | | $ | 16,198 | | | $ | 1,126,710 | |
See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Core Scientific, Inc.
(Debtor-in-Possession)
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
(Unaudited) | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
Cash flows from Operating Activities: | | | |
Net loss | $ | (11,685) | | | $ | (466,204) | |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | 20,094 | | | 42,139 | |
Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets | 195 | | | 53 | |
Stock-based compensation | 12,273 | | | 25,797 | |
Digital asset mining revenue | (98,026) | | | (133,000) | |
Deferred income taxes | — | | | 33,974 | |
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Gain on debt extinguishment | (20,761) | | | — | |
Fair value adjustment on derivative warrant liabilities | — | | | (10,275) | |
Fair value adjustment on convertible notes | — | | | 393,888 | |
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Amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs | — | | | 1,027 | |
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Impairment of digital assets | 1,056 | | | 53,985 | |
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Changes in working capital components: | | | |
Accounts receivable, net | 61 | | | 1,214 | |
Accounts receivable from related parties | 21 | | | (42) | |
Digital assets | 97,694 | | | (3,010) | |
Deposits for equipment for sales to customers | — | | | 62,302 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 1,152 | | | (23,647) | |
Accounts payable | 16,408 | | | (9,022) | |
Accrued expenses and other | 10,391 | | | 11,741 | |
Deferred revenue | (8,629) | | | 39,798 | |
Deferred revenue from related parties | — | | | (22,473) | |
Other noncurrent assets and liabilities, net | (302) | | | (1,860) | |
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | 19,942 | | | (3,615) | |
Cash flows from Investing Activities: | | | |
Purchases of property, plant and equipment | (1,539) | | | (133,223) | |
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Deposits for self-mining equipment | — | | | (135,873) | |
Other | (330) | | | — | |
Net cash used in investing activities | (1,869) | | | (269,096) | |
Cash flows from Financing Activities: | | | |
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Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon Merger with XPDI, net of transaction costs | — | | | 195,010 | |
Proceeds from debt, net of issuance costs | — | | | 82,152 | |
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Principal repayments of finance leases | (1,021) | | | (10,256) | |
Principal payments on debt | — | | | (15,441) | |
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Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | (1,021) | | | 251,465 | |
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 17,052 | | | (21,246) | |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash—beginning of period | 52,240 | | | 131,678 | |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash—end of period | $ | 69,292 | | | $ | 110,432 | |
Supplemental disclosure of other cash flow information: | | | |
Cash paid for interest | 317 | | | 20,847 | |
Income tax payments | (300) | | | — | |
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities: | | | |
Accrued capital expenditures | 45,721 | | | 22,510 | |
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Decrease in equipment related to debt extinguishment | 17,849 | | | — | |
Decrease in notes payable in exchange for equipment | (38,610) | | | — | |
See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Core Scientific, Inc.
(Debtor-in-Possession)
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
1. ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
MineCo Holdings, Inc. was incorporated on December 13, 2017, in the State of Delaware and changed its name to Core Scientific, Inc. (“Old Core”) pursuant to an amendment to its Certificate of Incorporation dated June 12, 2018. On August 17, 2020, Old Core engaged in a holdco restructuring to facilitate a borrowing arrangement by Old Core pursuant to which Old Core was merged with and into a wholly owned subsidiary of Core Scientific Holding Co. and became a wholly owned subsidiary of Core Scientific Holding Co. and the stockholders of Old Core became the stockholders of Core Scientific Holding Co. In July 2021, Core Scientific Holding Co. completed the acquisition of Blockcap, Inc. (“Blockcap”), one of Old Core’s largest hosting customers. Prior to its acquisition, Blockcap had retained Core Scientific Holding Co to host in the data centers operated by Core Scientific Holding Co Blockcap’s industrial scale digital asset mining operations. On January 19, 2022, following the approval at the special meeting of the stockholders of Power & Digital Infrastructure Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“XPDI”), Core Scientific Holding Co. merged with XPDI, and XPDI Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of XPDI (“Merger Sub”), consummated the transactions contemplated under the merger agreement. In connection with the closing of the merger, XPDI changed its name from Power & Digital Infrastructure Acquisition Corp. to Core Scientific, Inc. (“Core Scientific” or the “Company”).
Core Scientific is a best-in-class, large-scale operator of dedicated, purpose-built facilities for digital asset mining and a premier provider of blockchain infrastructure, software solutions and services. We mine digital assets for our own account and provide colocation hosting services for other large-scale miners at our eight operational data centers in Georgia (2), Kentucky (1), North Carolina (2), North Dakota (1) and Texas (2). We began digital asset mining in 2018 and in 2020 became one of the largest North American providers of colocation hosting services for third-party mining customers, at which time we derived almost all our revenue from third-party colocation hosting fees and the resale of digital asset mining machines. Currently, we derive the majority of our revenue from self-mining bitcoin. We are one of the largest blockchain infrastructure, digital asset mining and colocation hosting provider companies in North America, with an average hourly operating power demand of approximately 581 MW and 636 MW for the three months ending March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. As of March 31, 2023, we had approximately 1,500 MW of contracted power capacity at our sites, including 500MW of power allocated to the Muskogee data center, which remains substantially undeveloped.
Our hosting colocation business provides a full suite of services to digital asset mining customers. We provide deployment, monitoring, troubleshooting, optimization and maintenance of our customers’ digital asset mining equipment and provide necessary electrical power and repair and other infrastructure services necessary to operate, maintain and efficiently mine digital assets.
We operate in two segments: “Mining” consisting of digital asset mining for our own account, and “Hosting” consisting of our blockchain infrastructure and third-party hosting business. During 2022, our “Hosting” segment also included sales of mining equipment to customers and was referred to as “Hosting and Equipment Sales”.
Our business strategy is to grow our revenue and profitability by increasing the capacity and efficiency of our self-mining fleet and by enhancing our third-party colocation business. We intend to strategically develop the infrastructure necessary to support business growth and profitability and take advantage of adjacent opportunities that leverage our mining expertise and capabilities.
Chapter 11 Filing
On December 21, 2022, the Company and certain of its affiliates (collectively, the “Debtors”) filed voluntary petitions (the “Chapter 11 Cases”) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (the “Bankruptcy Court”) seeking relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”). The Chapter 11 Cases are jointly administered under Case No. 22-90341. The Debtors continue to operate their business and manage their properties as “debtors-in-possession” (“DIP”) under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and orders of the Bankruptcy Court. The Debtors have filed various “first day” motions with the Bankruptcy Court requesting customary relief, which were generally approved by the Bankruptcy Court on December 22, 2022, that have enabled the Company to operate in the ordinary course while under Chapter 11 protection. For detailed discussion about the Chapter 11 Cases, refer to Note 3 — Chapter 11 Filing and Other Related Matters.
Core Scientific, Inc.
(Debtor-in-Possession)
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Refer to the significant accounting policies described in Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes in Part II, Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Basis of Presentation
Our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2022, which was derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, and our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements provided herein have been prepared in accordance with the instructions for Form 10-Q. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") have been condensed or omitted pursuant to rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). However, in our opinion, the disclosures made therein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. We believe the unaudited interim financial statements furnished reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. Further, we believe these consolidated financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary to fairly present the results for the interim periods. The consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2023, are not necessarily indicative of the consolidated results of operations and cash flows that might be expected for the entire year. These consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Going Concern
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company generated net loss of $11.7 million. The Company had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $47.5 million as of March 31, 2023, compared to $15.9 million as of December 31, 2022. The increase in cash and cash equivalents for the three months ended March 31, 2023, primarily reflected $19.9 million of cash provided by operating activities (including $117.1 million of cash provided by changes in working capital), partially offset by $1.9 million of cash used in investing activities (including $1.5 million of purchases of property, plant and equipment), and by $1.0 million of cash used in financing activities. The Company has historically generated cash primarily from the issuance of common stock and debt, through sales of digital assets received as digital asset mining revenue and from operations through contracts with customers.
During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the average price of bitcoin declined to $22,877 compared to $41,299 for the three months ended March 31, 2022. At the same time the Company’s power costs in its Mining segment increased $29.4 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022, reflecting increases in both power usage and power rates. These factors contributed to the Company’s gross profit of $20.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to a gross profit of $70.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. In addition, as discussed in Note 8 — Commitments and Contingencies, in July 2022, one of the Company’s largest customers filed for voluntary relief under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.
Our ability to continue as a going concern is contingent upon, among other things, our ability to, subject to the Bankruptcy Court’s approval, implement a Chapter 11 plan of reorganization (the “Plan”), successfully emerge from the Chapter 11 Cases and generate sufficient liquidity from the restructuring to meet our obligations and operating needs. As a result of risks and uncertainties related to (i) the Company’s ability to successfully consummate the Plan and emerge from the Chapter 11 Cases, and (ii) the effects of disruption from the Chapter 11 Cases making it more difficult to maintain business, financing and operational relationships, together with the Company’s recurring losses from operations and accumulated deficit, substantial doubt exists regarding our ability to continue as a going concern. For detailed discussion about the Chapter 11 Cases and the Plan, refer to Note 3 — Chapter 11 Filing and Other Related Matters.
Debtor-in Possession
In general, as debtors-in-possession under the Bankruptcy Code, we are authorized to continue to operate as an ongoing business but may not engage in transactions outside the ordinary course of business without the prior approval of the Bankruptcy Court. Pursuant to certain motions and applications intended to limit the disruption of the bankruptcy proceedings on our operations (the First Day Motions) and other motions filed with the Bankruptcy Court, the Bankruptcy Court has authorized us to conduct our business activities in the ordinary course, including, among other things and subject to the terms and conditions of such orders, authorizing us to obtain DIP financing, pay employee wages and benefits, settle certain de minimis disputes and pay vendors and
Core Scientific, Inc.
(Debtor-in-Possession)
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
suppliers in the ordinary course for all goods and services. For detailed discussion about the Chapter 11 Cases, refer to Note 3 — Chapter 11 Filing and Other Related Matters.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Some of the more significant estimates include assumptions used to estimate its ability to continue as a going concern, the valuation of goodwill, intangibles and property, plant and equipment, the fair value of convertible debt, and income taxes. These estimates are based on information available as of the date of the financial statements; therefore, actual results could differ from management’s estimates.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
Cash and cash equivalents include all cash balances and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less from the date of acquisition. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, cash equivalents included $37.3 million and $10.2 million, respectively, of highly liquid money market funds which are classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy. Restricted cash consists of cash held in escrow under the Original DIP Credit Agreement and in escrow to pay for construction and development activities. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, restricted cash of $21.8 million and $36.4 million, respectively,consisted of cash held in escrow under the Original DIP Credit Agreement.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
The Company’s accounts receivable balance consists of amounts due from its hosting customers. The Company records accounts receivable at the invoiced amount less an allowance for any potentially uncollectable accounts under the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) impairment model and presents the net amount of the financial instrument expected to be collected. The CECL impairment model requires an estimate of expected credit losses, measured over the contractual life of an instrument, which considers forecasts of future economic conditions in addition to information about past events and current conditions. Based on this model, the Company considers many factors, including the age of the balance, collection history, and current economic trends. Bad debts are written off after all collection efforts have ceased.
Allowances for credit losses are recorded as a direct reduction from an asset’s amortized cost basis. Credit losses and recoveries are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. Recoveries of financial assets previously written off are recorded when received. For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company did not record any credit losses or recoveries.
Based on the Company’s current and historical collection experience, the Company recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts of $8.7 million as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
Performance Obligations
The Company’s performance obligations relate to hosting services, which are described below. The Company has performance obligations associated with commitments in customer hosting contracts for future services that have not yet been recognized in the financial statements. For contracts with original terms that exceed one year (typically ranging from 18 to 48 months), those commitments not yet recognized as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, were $135.4 million and $159.6 million, respectively.
Deferred Revenue
The Company records contract liabilities in Deferred revenue on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets when cash payments are received in advance of performance and recognizes them as revenue when the performance obligations are satisfied. The Company’s current and non-current deferred revenue balance as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, was $71.8 million and $80.4 million, respectively, all from advance payments received during the periods then ended.
Core Scientific, Inc.
(Debtor-in-Possession)
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
In the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company recognized $11.6 million of revenue that was included in the deferred revenue balance as of the beginning of the year, primarily due to the deployment of customer equipment for which advanced payment had been received from customers prior to January 1, 2022.
In the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company recognized $36.8 million of revenue that was included in the deferred revenue balance as of the beginning of the year, primarily due to the performance of hosting services for which advance payments had been received from customers prior to January 1, 2021.
Advanced payments for hosting services are typically recognized in the following month and are generally recognized within one year.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
Measurement of Credit Losses
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which will require an entity to measure credit losses for certain financial instruments and financial assets, including trade receivables. Under this update, on initial recognition and at each reporting period, an entity will be required to recognize an allowance that reflects the entity’s current estimate of credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the financial instrument. The Company adopted this new guidance on January 1, 2023, and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
There are no other new accounting pronouncements that are expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements.
3. CHAPTER 11 FILING AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS
Chapter 11
On December 21, 2022 (the “Petition Date”), the “Company and certain of its affiliates (collectively, the “Debtors”) filed voluntary petitions (the “Chapter 11 Cases”) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (the “Bankruptcy Court”) seeking relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”). The Chapter 11 Cases are jointly administered under Case No. 22-90341. The Debtors continue to operate their business and manage their properties as “debtors-in-possession” (“DIP”) under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and orders of the Bankruptcy Court. The Debtors filed various “first day” motions with the Bankruptcy Court requesting customary relief, which were generally approved by the Bankruptcy Court on December 22, 2022, that have enabled the Company to operate in the ordinary course while under Chapter 11 protection.
Original DIP Credit Agreement and Restructuring Support Agreement
In connection with the Chapter 11 Cases, the Debtors entered into a Senior Secured Super-Priority Debtor-in-Possession Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of December 22, 2022 (the “Original DIP Credit Agreement”), with Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as administrative agent, and the lenders from time to time party thereto (collectively, the “Original DIP Lenders”). The Original DIP Lenders are also holders or affiliates, partners or investors of holders under the Company’s notes sold pursuant to (i) the Secured Convertible Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 19, 2021 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time), by and among Core Scientific, Inc. (as successor of Core Scientific Holding Co.), the guarantors party thereto from time to time, U.S. Bank National Association, as note agent and collateral agent, and the purchasers of the notes issued thereunder (the “Secured Convertible Notes”), and (ii) the Convertible Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 20, 2021, (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time), by and among Core Scientific, Inc. (as successor of Core Scientific Holding Co.), the guarantors party thereto from time to time, U.S. Bank National Association, as note agent and collateral agent, and the purchasers of the notes issued thereunder (the “Other Convertible Notes,” and together with the Secured Convertible Notes, the “Convertible Notes”).
Also in connection with the filing of the Chapter 11 Cases, the Company entered into a restructuring support agreement (together with all exhibits and schedules thereto, the “Restructuring Support Agreement”) with the ad hoc group of noteholders,
Core Scientific, Inc.
(Debtor-in-Possession)
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
representing more than 70% of the holders of the Convertible Notes (the “Ad Hoc Noteholder Group”) pursuant to which the Ad Hoc Noteholder Group agreed to provide commitments for a debtor-in-possession facility (the “Original DIP Facility”) of more than $57 million and agreed to support the syndication of up to an additional $18 million in new money DIP (defined below) facility loans to all holders of Convertible Notes. The Company terminated the Restructuring Support Agreement pursuant to a “fiduciary out” which permitted the Company to pursue better alternatives.
Replacement DIP Credit Agreement
On February 2, 2023, the Bankruptcy Court entered an interim order (the “Replacement Interim DIP Order”) authorizing, among other things, the Debtors to obtain senior secured non-priming super-priority replacement post-petition financing (the “Replacement DIP Facility”). On February 27, 2023, the Debtors entered into a Senior Secured Super-Priority Replacement Debtor-in-Possession Loan and Security Agreement governing the Replacement DIP Facility (the “Replacement DIP Credit Agreement”), with Riley Commercial Capital, LLC, as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”), and the lenders from time to time party thereto (collectively, the “Replacement DIP Lender”). Proceeds of the Replacement DIP Facility were used to, among other things, repay amounts outstanding under the Original DIP Facility, including payment of all fees and expenses required to be paid under the terms of the Original DIP Facility. These funds, along with ongoing cash generated from operations, were anticipated to provide the necessary financing to effectuate the planned restructuring, facilitate the emergence from Chapter 11, and cover the fees and expenses of legal and financial advisors.
The Replacement DIP Facility, among other things, provides for a non-amortizing super-priority senior secured term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $70 million. Under the Replacement DIP Facility, (i) $35 million was made available following Bankruptcy Court approval of the Interim DIP Order and (ii) $35 million was made available following Bankruptcy Court approval of the Final DIP Order. Loans under the Replacement DIP Facility will bear interest at a rate of 10%, which will be payable in kind in arrears on the first day of each calendar month. The Administrative Agent received an upfront payment equal to 3.5% of the aggregate commitments under the Replacement DIP Facility on February 3, 2023, payable in kind, and the Replacement DIP Lender will receive an exit premium equal to 5% of the amount of the loans being repaid, reduced or satisfied, payable in cash. The Replacement DIP Credit Agreement includes representations and warranties, covenants applicable to the Debtors, and events of default. If an event of default under the Replacement DIP Credit Agreement occurs, the Administrative Agent may, among other things, permanently reduce any remaining commitments and declare the outstanding obligations under the Replacement DIP Credit Agreement to be immediately due and payable.
The maturity date of the Replacement DIP Credit Agreement is December 22, 2023, which can be extended, under certain conditions, by an additional three months to March 22, 2024. The Replacement DIP Credit Agreement will also terminate on the date that is the earliest of the following (i) the effective date of the Plan with respect to the Borrowers (the “Plan”) (as defined in the Replacement DIP Credit Agreement) or any other Debtor; (ii) the consummation of any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Debtors pursuant to section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code; (iii) the date of the acceleration of the Loans and the termination of the Commitments (whether automatically, or upon any Event of Default or as otherwise provided in the Replacement DIP Credit Agreement); and (iv) conversion of the Chapter 11 Cases into cases under chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code.
On March 1, 2023, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order approving the Replacement DIP Facility on a final basis and the terms under which the Debtors are authorized to use the cash collateral of the holders of their convertible notes (the “Final DIP Order”).
NYDIG Settlement
On February 26, 2023, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order (the “NYDIG Order”), whereby the Debtors and NYDIG agree that the Debtors would transfer the miners serving as collateral under the NYDIG Loan back to NYDIG over a period of several months in exchange for the full extinguishment of the NYDIG Loan. The final shipment of miners serving as collateral under the NYDIG loan occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2023, after which the NYDIG Loan was extinguished in full and the Company recorded a $20.8 million gain on extinguishment of debt in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Priority Power Settlement
On March 20, 2023, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order (the “Priority Power Order”), whereby the Debtors and Priority Power agree that the Debtors would transfer equipment to Priority Power and assume an Energy Management and Consulting Services Agreement and other new agreements. Priority Power was determined to have a single aggregate allowed claim of $20.8 million,
Core Scientific, Inc.
(Debtor-in-Possession)
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
which was secured by a perfected mechanic’s lien. The claim was deemed paid and fully satisfied by transfer of specific equipment from the Debtors to Priority Power on the date of the Priority Power Order, thereby releasing all Priority Power liens. The satisfaction of the obligation and transfer of the equipment is a noncash transaction which did not result in any gain or loss at March 31, 2023.
Reorganization items, net and Liabilities Subject to Compromise
Effective on December 21, 2022, we began to apply the provisions of ASC 852, Reorganizations (“ASC 852”), which is applicable to companies under bankruptcy protection, and requires amendments to the presentation of certain financial statement line items. ASC 852 requires that the financial statements for periods including and after the filing of the Chapter 11 Cases distinguish transactions and events that are directly associated with the reorganization from the ongoing operations of the business. Expenses (including professional fees), realized gains and losses, and provisions for losses that can be directly associated with the reorganization must be reported separately as Reorganization items, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations beginning December 21, 2022, the date of filing of the Chapter 11 Cases. Liabilities that may be affected by the Plan must be classified as liabilities subject to compromise at the amounts expected to be allowed by the Bankruptcy Court, even if they may be settled for lesser amounts as a result of the Plan or negotiations with creditors. The amounts currently classified as liabilities subject to compromise may be subject to future adjustments depending on Bankruptcy Court actions, further developments with respect to disputed claims, determinations of secured status of certain claims, the values of any collateral securing such claims, or other events. Any resulting changes in classification will be reflected in subsequent financial statements. If there is uncertainty about whether a secured claim is undersecured, or will be impaired under the Plan, the entire amount of the claim is included with prepetition claims in liabilities subject to compromise.
As a result of the filing of the Chapter 11 Cases on December 21, 2022, the classification of pre-petition indebtedness is generally subject to compromise pursuant to the Plan. Generally, actions to enforce or otherwise effect payment of pre-bankruptcy filing liabilities are stayed. Although payment of pre-petition claims generally is not permitted, the Bankruptcy Court granted the Debtors authority to pay certain pre-petition claims in designated categories and subject to certain terms and conditions. This relief generally was designed to preserve the value of the Debtors’ businesses and assets. Among other things, the Bankruptcy Court authorized the Debtors’ to pay certain pre-petition claims relating to employee wages and benefits, taxes and critical vendors. The Debtors are paying and intend to pay undisputed post-petition liabilities in the ordinary course of business. In addition, the Debtors may reject certain pre-petition executory contracts and unexpired leases with respect to their operations with the approval of the Bankruptcy Court. Any damages resulting from the rejection of executory contracts and unexpired leases are treated as general unsecured claims.
Reorganization items, net incurred as a result of the Chapter 11 Cases presented separately in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations were as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | 2023 |
Professional fees and other bankruptcy related costs | | $ | 20,107 | |
Debtor-in-possession financing costs | | 11,452 | |
Reorganization items, net | | $ | 31,559 | |
The Company has incurred and continues to incur significant costs associated with the reorganization, primarily debtor-in-possession financing costs and legal and professional fees, which were classified as Reorganization items, net subsequent to our petition.
The accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 includes amounts classified as Liabilities subject to compromise, which represent liabilities the Company anticipates will be allowed as claims in the Chapter 11 Cases. These amounts represent the Company's current estimate of known or potential obligations to be resolved in connection with the Chapter 11 Cases and may differ from actual future settlement amounts paid. Differences between liabilities estimated and claims filed, or to be filed, will be investigated and resolved in connection with the claims resolution process.
Core Scientific, Inc.
(Debtor-in-Possession)
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Liabilities subject to compromise consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
Accounts payable | | $ | 29,757 | | | $ | 20,908 | |
Other current liabilities | | 19,138 | | | 64,493 | |
Accounts payable, and other current liabilities | | $ | 48,895 | | | $ | 85,401 | |
| | | | |
Operating lease liability | | $ | 13,475 | | | $ | 13,868 | |
Financing lease liability | | 69,775 | | | 70,796 | |
Debt subject to compromise | | 806,085 | | | 844,695 | |
Accrued interest on liabilities subject to compromise | | 12,535 | | | 12,553 | |
Leases, debt and accrued interest | | 901,870 | | | 941,912 | |
Liabilities subject to compromise | | $ | 950,765 | | | $ | 1,027,313 | |
Determination of the value at which liabilities will ultimately be settled cannot be made until the Plan becomes effective and the Company emerges from bankruptcy. The Company will continue to evaluate and adjust the amount and classification of its pre-petition liabilities. Such adjustments may be material. Any additional liabilities that are subject to compromise will be recognized accordingly, and the aggregate amount of Liabilities subject to compromise may change.
4. DIGITAL ASSETS
Activity related to our digital asset balances for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2023 | | March 31, 2022 |
Digital assets, beginning of period | $ | 724 | | | $ | 234,298 | |
Digital asset mining revenue | 98,026 | | | 133,000 | |
Proceeds from sales of digital assets | (98,384) | | | — | |
Gain from sales of digital assets | 1,064 | | | 2,163 | |
Impairment of digital assets | (1,056) | | | (53,985) | |
Other | (374) | | | 847 | |
Digital assets, end of period | $ | — | | | $ | 316,323 | |
Digital assets are available to be sold as a source of funds, if needed, for current operations and are classified as current assets on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company had total digital assets of nil and $0.7 million, at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
The Company does not have any off-balance sheet holdings of digital assets.
5. NOTES PAYABLE
The commencement of the Chapter 11 Cases constituted an event of default under certain of the Company's debt agreements. Accordingly, all debt not reclassified as liabilities subject to compromise with original long-term stated maturities was classified as current on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. However, any efforts to enforce payment obligations under the debt instruments are automatically stayed as a result of the Chapter 11 Cases and the creditors' rights in respect of the debt instruments are subject to the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code. See Note 3 — Chapter 11 Filing and Other Related Matters for further information.
Core Scientific, Inc.
(Debtor-in-Possession)
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes payable as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, consist of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest Rates | | Maturities | | March 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
Kentucky note | 5.0% | | 2023 | | $ | 529 | | | $ | 529 | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
NYDIG loan | 11.0% - 15.0% | | Various | | — | | | 38,573 | |
Stockholder loan | 10.0% | | 2023 | | 10,000 | | | 10,000 | |
Trinity loan | 11.0% | | 2024 | | 23,356 | | | 23,356 | |
Bremer loan | 5.5% | | 2026 | | 18,331 | | | 18,331 | |
Blockfi loan | 9.7% - 13.1% | | 2023 | | 53,913 | | | 53,913 | |
Anchor Labs loan | 12.5% | | 2024 | | 25,159 | | | 25,159 | |
Mass Mutual Barings loans | 13.0% | | 2025 | | 63,844 | | | 63,844 | |
B. Riley Bridge Notes | 7.0% | | 2023 | | 41,777 | | | 41,777 | |
Liberty loan | 10.6% | | 2024 | | 6,968 | | | 6,968 | |
Secured Convertible Notes1 | 10.0% | | 2025 | | 237,584 | | | 237,584 | |
Other Convertible Notes2 | 10.0% | | 2025 | | 322,396 | | | 322,396 | |
Original DIP Credit Agreement3 | 10.0% | | 2023 | | — | | | 35,547 | |
Replacement DIP Credit Agreement4 | 10.0% | | 2023 | | 35,000 | | | — | |
Other | | | | | 2,873 | | | 2,960 | |
Notes payable, prior to reclassification to Liabilities subject to compromise | | | | | 841,730 | | | 880,937 | |
Less: Notes payable in Liabilities subject to compromise5 | | | | | 806,085 | | | 844,695 | |
Unamortized discount and debt issuance costs | | | | | — | | | (36,456) | |
Fair value adjustment on convertible notes | | | | | — | | | (808,148) | |
Total notes payable, net | | | | | $ | 35,645 | | | $ | 36,242 | |
1 Secured Convertible Notes includes principal balance at issuance and PIK interest.
2 Other Convertible Notes includes principal balance at issuance and PIK interest.
3 Original DIP Credit Agreement, see Note 3 - Chapter 11 Filing and Other Related Matters for further information.
4 Replacement DIP Credit Agreement, see Note 3 - Chapter 11 Filing and Other Related Matters for further information.
5 In connection with the Company's Chapter 11 Cases, $806.1 million and $844.7 million of outstanding notes payable have been reclassified to Liabilities subject to compromise in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, at their expected allowed amount. Up to the Petition Date, the Company continued to accrue interest expense in relation to these reclassified debt instruments. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, $12.5 million and $12.6 million, respectively, of accrued interest was classified as Liabilities subject to compromise.
As discussed in Note 3 — Chapter 11 Filing and Other Related Matters, under the NYDIG Order, the final shipment of miners that served as collateral under the NYDIG loan occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2023, after which the NYDIG Loan was extinguished in full and the Company recorded a $20.8 million Gain on extinguishment of debt in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The principal amount of the Convertible Notes as of March 31, 2023, reflects the proceeds received plus any PIK interest added to the principal balance of the notes. Upon the closing of the merger agreement with XPDI in January 2022, the conversion price for the Convertible Notes became fixed at 80% of the financing price ($8.00 per share of common stock) and the holders now have the right to convert at any time until maturity. At maturity, any Secured Convertible Notes not converted will be owed two times the original face value plus accrued interest; any Other Convertible Notes not converted will be owed the original face value plus accrued interest. In addition, at any time (both before and after the merger with XPDI), the Company has the right to prepay the Convertible Notes at the minimum payoff of two times the outstanding principal amount plus accrued interest. All of the Convertible Notes, totaling $560.0 million as of March 31, 2023, are scheduled to mature on April 19, 2025, which includes $237.6 million for the principal amount of the Secured Convertible Notes which have payoff at maturity of two times the principal amount of the note plus accrued interest. The total amount that would be owed on the Secured Convertible Notes outstanding as of March 31, 2023, if held to maturity was $475.2 million.
Core Scientific, Inc.
(Debtor-in-Possession)
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
6. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The Company measures certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring or non-recurring basis in certain circumstances. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. To increase the comparability of fair value measures, the following hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation methodologies used to measure fair value:
Level 1 — Valuations based on quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets.
Level 2 — Valuations based on observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3 — Valuations based on unobservable inputs reflecting the Company’s own assumptions, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other market participants. These valuations require significant judgment.
The Company uses observable market data when determining fair value whenever possible and relies on unobservable inputs only when observable market data is not available.
Level 3 Recurring Fair Value Measurements
Securities are transferred from Level 2 to Level 3 when observable market prices for similar securities are no longer available and unobservable inputs become significant to the fair value measurement. All transfers into and out of Level 3 are assumed to occur at the beginning of the quarterly reporting period in which they occur. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were no Level 3 financial instruments.
Nonrecurring fair value measurements
The Company’s non-financial assets, including digital assets, property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets are measured at estimated fair value on a nonrecurring basis. These assets are adjusted to fair value only when an impairment is recognized, or the underlying asset is held for sale. Refer to Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, for more information regarding fair value considerations when measuring impairment. The estimated fair value of the Company’s digital assets as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, was nil and $0.7 million, respectively.
No non-financial assets were classified as Level 3 as of March 31, 2023, or December 31, 2022.
Fair value of financial instruments
The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, net, accounts payable, notes payable and certain accrued expenses and other liabilities. The carrying amount of these financial instruments, other than notes payable discussed below, approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
The fair value of the Company’s notes payable (excluding the Convertible Notes carried at fair value described above and the expected allowed amount transferred to Liabilities subject to compromise), which are carried at amortized cost, was determined based on a discounted cash flow approach using market interest rates of instruments with similar terms and maturities and an estimate for our standalone credit risk. We classified the other notes payable as Level 3 financial instruments due to the considerable judgment required to develop assumptions of the Company’s standalone credit risk and the significance of those assumptions to the fair value measurement. At March 31, 2023, the estimated fair value of the Company’s other notes payable was $35.6 million and equaled the carrying value of the Company’s other notes payable. At December 31, 2022, the estimated fair value and carrying value of the Company’s notes payable was $36.2 million.
7. LEASES
The Company has entered into non-cancellable operating and finance leases for office, data facilities, computer and networking equipment, electrical infrastructure and office equipment, with original lease periods expiring through 2033. In addition, certain leases contain bargain renewal options extending through 2051. The Company recognizes lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term, which includes any bargain renewal options. The Company recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease period. In addition to minimum rent, certain leases require payment of real estate taxes, insurance, common area
Core Scientific, Inc.
(Debtor-in-Possession)
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
maintenance charges, and other executory costs. Differences between rent expense and rent paid are recognized as adjustments to operating lease right-of-use assets on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. For certain leases, the Company receives lease incentives, such as tenant improvement allowances, and records those as adjustments to operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and amortizes the lease incentives on a straight-line basis over the lease term as an adjustment to rent expense.
The components of operating and finance leases are presented on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Financial statement line item | | March 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
Assets: | | | | | | |
Operating lease right-of-use assets | | Operating lease right-of-use assets | | $ | 20,235 | | | $ | 20,430 | |
Finance lease right-of-use assets | | Property, plant and equipment, net | | $ | 82,039 | | | $ | 84,092 | |
Liabilities: | | | | | | |
Operating lease liabilities, current portion | | Operating lease liabilities, current portion | | 597 | | | $ | 769 | |
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion | | Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion | | 1,055 | | | $ | 720 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Operating and finance lease liabilities subject to compromise | | Liabilities subject to compromise | | $ | 83,250 | | | $ | 84,664 | |
The components of lease expense were as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | Financial statement line item | | 2023 | | 2022 |
Operating lease expense | | General and administrative expenses | | $ | 390 | | | $ | 154 | |
Short-term lease expense | | General and administrative expenses | | 365 | | | 191 | |
Finance lease expense: | | | | | | |
Amortization of right-of-use assets | | Cost of revenue | | 3,857 | | | 9,824 | |
Interest on lease liabilities | | Interest expense, net | | 309 | | | 2,102 | |
Total finance lease expense | | | | 4,166 | | | 11,926 | |
Total lease expense | | | | $ | 4,921 | | | $ | 12,271 | |
In determining the discount rate used to measure the right-of-use asset and lease liability, we use rates implicit in the lease, or if not readily available, we use our incremental borrowing rate. Our incremental borrowing rate is based on an estimated secured rate with reference to recent borrowings of similar collateral and tenure when available. Determining our incremental borrowing rate, especially if there are insufficient observable borrowings near the time of lease commencement, may require significant judgment.
Information relating to the lease term and discount rate is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2023 | | March 31, 2022 |
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term (Years) | | | |
Operating leases | 10.7 | | 22.1 |
Finance leases | 2.1 | | 2.6 |
Weighted Average Discount Rate | | | |
Operating leases | 6.5 | % | | 6.4 | % |
Finance leases | 12.4 | % | | 10.2 | % |
Core Scientific, Inc.
(Debtor-in-Possession)
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
The following table summarizes the Company’s supplemental cash flow information (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
Lease Payments | | | |
Operating lease payments | $ | 337 | | | $ | 101 | |
Finance lease payments | $ | 1,080 | | | $ | 12,357 | |
Supplemental Noncash Information | | | |
Finance lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations | $ | — | | | $ | 10,557 | |
The Company’s minimum payments under noncancelable operating and finance leases having initial terms and bargain renewal periods in excess of one year are as follows at March 31, 2023, and thereafter (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Operating leases | | Finance leases |
Remaining 2023 | $ | 2,082 | | | $ | 37,103 | |
2024 | 1,810 | | | 39,108 | |
2025 | 1,866 | | | 1,862 | |
2026 | 1,924 | | | 32 | |
2027 | 1,985 | | | — | |
Thereafter | 12,037 | | | — | |
Total lease payments | 21,704 | | | 78,105 | |
Less: imputed interest | 6,577 | | | 8,330 | |
Less: Liabilities subject to compromise | 13,475 | | | 69,775 | |
Total | $ | 1,652 | | | $ | — | |
Balance Sheet Classification
As discussed in 5 — Notes Payable, in October 2022, the Company determined not to make certain payments with respect to several of its debt facilities, equipment financing facilities and leases and other financings, including its two bridge promissory notes. As a result, the creditors under these debt facilities may exercise remedies following any applicable grace periods and pursuant to any confirmed plan of reorganization, including electing to accelerate the principal amount of such debt, suing the Company for nonpayment, increasing interest rates to default rates, or taking action with respect to collateral, where applicable. The Company has classified all of its finance lease liabilities as Liabilities subject to compromise as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Legal Proceedings—The Company is subject to legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company accrues losses for a legal proceeding when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. However, the uncertainties inherent in legal proceedings make it difficult to reasonably estimate the costs and effects of resolving these matters. Accordingly, actual costs incurred may differ materially from amounts accrued and could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, cash flows, results of operations, financial condition and prospects. Unless otherwise indicated, the Company is unable to estimate reasonably possible losses in excess of any amounts accrued.
Effect of Automatic Stay
Subject to certain exceptions under the Bankruptcy Code, the filing of the Company Parties’ Chapter 11 Cases automatically stayed the continuation of most legal proceedings or the filing of other actions against or on behalf of the Debtors or their property to recover on, collect or secure a claim arising prior to the Petition Date or to exercise control over property of the Debtors’ bankruptcy estates, unless and until the Bankruptcy Court modifies or lifts the automatic stay as to any such claim. Notwithstanding the general
Core Scientific, Inc.
(Debtor-in-Possession)
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
application of the automatic stay described above, governmental authorities may determine to continue actions brought under their police and regulatory powers.
In July 2022, one of the Company’s largest customers, Celsius Mining LLC (“Celsius”), along with its parent company and certain affiliates, filed for voluntary relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. On September 28, 2022, Celsius filed a motion in the Chapter 11 case alleging that the Company is violating the automatic stay with respect to the Master Services Agreement between Celsius and the Company (the “Celsius Agreement”). Celsius is also using its Chapter 11 proceeding to withhold payment of certain charges billed to Celsius pursuant to the Celsius Agreement. The Company strongly disagrees with the allegations made in the Celsius motion and the interpretation of the Celsius Agreement espoused therein and is vigorously defending its interests, including seeking resolution from the bankruptcy court and payment of any outstanding amounts owed under the Celsius Agreement (subject to applicable bankruptcy law in the Celsius Chapter 11 case). The parties have agreed to stay the proceedings, including the evidentiary hearing scheduled for November 18, 2022. There can be no guarantee that the bankruptcy court will rule in the Company’s favor in a timely manner or that Celsius will honor the terms of the Celsius Agreement. An adverse ruling by the bankruptcy court that provides Celsius the benefits of the Company’s hosting services without Celsius fully paying the costs of such services would have a material effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. As of March 31, 2023, the Company had accrued $8.7 million as an allowance against amounts due from Celsius.
In November 2022, Sphere 3D Corp. filed a demand for arbitration with JAMS alleging the existence and breach of a contract for hosting services. The arbitration demand alleges that the Company has failed to provide contracted for services and to return prepayments allegedly made by Sphere 3D for such services. The Company denies the allegations contained in Sphere 3D’s arbitration demand and intends to vigorously defend its interests. The arbitration demand was stayed by the filing of the Company Parties’ Chapter 11 Cases. Refer to the discussion contained within this footnote under the subtitle “Effect of Automatic Stay.”
In November 2022, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. filed a complaint against the Company in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, alleging breach of contract for failing to pay when due certain payments allegedly owing under a contract for construction entered into between the parties. The case has been stayed as a result of the Company’s filing of a petition for relief under chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code.
In November 2022, plaintiff Mei Peng filed a putative class action in the United States District Court, Western District of Texas, Austin Division, asserting that the Company violated the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, by failing to disclose to investors, among other things, that the Company was vulnerable to litigation, that certain clients had breached their agreements, and that this impacted the Company's profitability and ability to continue as a going concern. The Company denies the allegations contained in the complaint and intends to vigorously defend its interests.
As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were no other material loss contingency accruals for legal matters.
Leases—See Note 7 — Leases for further information.
9. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
Stock-based compensation expense relates primarily to expense for restricted stock awards (“RSAs”), restricted stock units (“RSUs”), and stock options. As of March 31, 2023, we had unvested or unexercised stock-based awards outstanding representing approximately 63.2 million shares of our common stock, consisting of approximately 40.4 million RSAs and RSUs and options to purchase approximately 22.7 million shares of our common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $8.68 and a weighted average expense amortization period of 2.8 years.
During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company did not grant any stock options, RSUs or RSAs.
During the three months ended March 31, 2023, 1.2 million stock options were cancelled and 4.8 million RSUs were forfeited.
Core Scientific, Inc.
(Debtor-in-Possession)
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, is included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | | | | 2023 | | 2022 |
Cost of revenue | | | | | $ | 597 | | | $ | 2,039 | |
Research and development | | | | | 442 | | | 1,882 | |
Sales and marketing | | | | | 505 | | | 458 | |
General and administrative | | | | | 10,729 | | | 21,418 | |
Total stock-based compensation expense | | | | | $ | 12,273 | | | $ | 25,797 | |
As of March 31, 2023, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested stock options was approximately $76.2 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average time period of 2.8 years. As of March 31, 2023, the Company had approximately $63.1 million of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to RSAs and RSUs, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average time period of 2.8 years.
10. INCOME TAXES
Current income tax expense represents the amount expected to be reported on the Company’s income tax returns, and deferred tax expense or benefit represents the change in net deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities as measured by the enacted tax rates that will be in effect when these differences reverse. Valuation allowances are recorded as appropriate to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount considered likely to be realized.
The income tax expense and effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | | | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| | | | | (in thousands, except percentages) |
Income tax expense | | | | | $ | 104 | | | $ | 42,406 | |
Effective income tax rate | | | | | (0.9) | % | | (10.0) | % |
For the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company recorded $0.1 million of income tax expense. The Company's estimated annual effective income tax rate is (0.9)%, compared to the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21.0% due to a change in the valuation allowance 43.8%, state taxes (7.1)%, non-deductible transaction costs (58.8)% and other items 0.2%. The Company has a full valuation allowance on its net deferred tax asset as the evidence indicates that it is not more likely than not expected to realize such asset.
For the three months ended March 31, 2022, discrete tax expense of $7.3 million was included in the $42.4 million of income tax expense. The Company’s estimated annual effective income tax rate without discrete items was (8.3)%, compared to the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21.0% due to the fair value adjustment on debt instruments (15.8)%, change in valuation allowance (9.9)%, non-deductible interest (2.2)%, non-deductible employee costs (1.5)% and other items 0.1%.
Core Scientific, Inc.
(Debtor-in-Possession)
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
11. NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth reconciliations of the numerators and denominators used to compute basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | | | | 2023 | | 2022 |
Net loss | | | | | $ | (11,685) | | | $ | (466,204) | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted | | | | | 375,419 | | | 307,475 | |
| | | | | | | |
Net loss per share - basic and diluted | | | | | $ | (0.03) | | | $ | (1.52) | |
Potentially dilutive securities includes securities not included in the calculation of diluted net loss per share because to do so would be anti-dilutive and contingently issuable shares for which all necessary conditions for issuance had not been satisfied by the end of the period. Potentially dilutive securities are as follows (in common stock equivalent shares, in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | | | | 2023 | | 2022 |
Stock options | | | | | 22,724 | | | 31,942 | |
Warrants | | | | | 14,892 | | | 18,284 | |
Restricted stock and restricted stock units | | | | | 40,438 | | | 96,900 | |
Convertible Notes | | | | | 69,997 | | | 66,249 | |
SPAC Vesting Shares | | | | | 1,725 | | | 1,725 | |
Total potentially dilutive securities | | | | | 149,776 | | | 215,100 | |
12. SEGMENT REPORTING
The Company’s operating segments are aggregated into reportable segments only if they exhibit similar economic characteristics and have similar business activities.
The Company has two operating segments: “Hosting” which consists primarily of its blockchain infrastructure and third-party hosting business; and “Mining” consisting of digital asset mining for its own account. The blockchain hosting business generates revenue through the sale of consumption-based contracts for its hosting services which are recurring in nature. During 2022, our “Hosting” segment also included sales of mining equipment to customers and was referred to as “Hosting and Equipment Sales”. The Mining segment generates revenue from operating owned computer equipment as part of a pool of users that process transactions conducted on one or more blockchain networks. In exchange for these services, the Company receives digital assets.
The primary financial measures used by the chief operating decision maker (“ CODM”) to evaluate performance and allocate resources are revenue and gross profit. The CODM does not evaluate performance or allocate resources based on segment asset or liability information; accordingly, the Company has not presented a measure of assets by segment. The segments’ accounting policies are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. The Company excludes certain operating expenses and other expense from the allocations to operating segments.
Core Scientific, Inc.
(Debtor-in-Possession)
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
The following table presents revenue and gross profit by reportable segment for the periods presented (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | | | | 2023 | | 2022 |
Hosting Segment | | | | | | | |
Revenue: | | | | | | | |
Hosting revenue | | | | | $ | 22,629 | | | $ | 33,214 | |
Equipment sales | | | | | — | | | 26,305 | |
Total revenue | | | | | $ | 22,629 | | | $ | 59,519 | |
Cost of revenue: | | | | | | | |
Cost of hosting services | | | | | $ | 18,826 | | | $ | 31,231 | |
Cost of equipment sales | | | | | — | | | 22,535 | |
Total cost of revenue | | | | | $ | 18,826 | | | $ | 53,766 | |
Gross profit | | | | | $ | 3,803 | | | $ | 5,753 | |
Mining Segment | | | | | | | |
Revenue: | | | | | | | |
Digital asset mining income | | | | | $ | 98,026 | | | $ | 133,000 | |
Total revenue | | | | | $ | 98,026 | | | $ | 133,000 | |
Cost of revenue: | | | | | | | |
Cost of digital asset mining | | | | | $ | 81,345 | | | $ | 68,750 | |
Total cost of revenue | | | | | 81,345 | | | 68,750 | |
Gross profit | | | | | $ | 16,681 | | | $ | 64,250 | |
Consolidated | | | | | | | |
Consolidated total revenue | | | | | $ | 120,655 | | | $ | 192,519 | |
Consolidated cost of revenue | | | | | $ | 100,171 | | | $ | 122,516 | |
Consolidated gross profit | | | | | $ | 20,484 | | | $ | 70,003 | |
For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, cost of revenue included depreciation expense of $0.2 million and $2.2 million, respectively for the Hosting segment. For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, cost of revenue included depreciation expense of $19.9 million and $39.4 million, respectively for the Mining segment.
Concentrations of Revenue and Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. Credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is concentrated with a small number of customers. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with major financial institutions, which management assesses to be of high credit quality, in order to limit the exposure to credit risk. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, all of the Company’s fixed assets were located in the United States. For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, 100% and 100%, respectively, of the Company’s revenue was generated in the United States. For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, 81% and 62%, respectively, of the Company’s total revenue was generated from digital asset mining of bitcoin, which is subject to extreme price volatility. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, substantially all of our digital assets were held by two third-party digital asset services.
Core Scientific, Inc.
(Debtor-in-Possession)
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022, the concentration of customers comprising 10% or more of the Company’s total revenue are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| Percent of total revenue: | | Percent of Hosting segment revenue: |
Customer | | | | | | | |
A (related party) | N/A | | 12 | % | | N/A | | 39 | % |
D | N/A | | N/A | | N/A | | N/A |
E | N/A | | N/A | | N/A | | N/A |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
A reconciliation of the reportable segment gross profit to income (loss) before income taxes included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, is as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | | | | 2023 | | 2022 |
Reportable segment gross profit | | | | | $ | 20,484 | | | $ | 70,003 | |
| | | | | | | |
Gain from sales of digital assets | | | | | 1,064 | | | 2,163 | |
Impairment of digital assets | | | | | (1,056) | | | (53,985) | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | |
Research and development | | | | | 1,415 | | | 3,340 | |
Sales and marketing | | | | | 1,008 | | | 1,398 | |
General and administrative | | | | | 21,764 | | | 40,160 | |
Total operating expenses | | | | | 24,187 | | | 44,898 | |
Operating loss | | | | | (3,695) | | | (26,717) | |
Non-operating expenses, net: | | | | | | | |
Gain on debt extinguishment | | | | | (20,761) | | | — | |
Interest expense, net | | | | | 157 | | | 21,676 | |
Fair value adjustment on convertible notes | | | | | — | | | 386,037 | |
Fair value adjustment on derivative warrant liabilities | | | | | — | | | (10,275) | |
Reorganization items, net | | | | | 31,559 | | | — | |
Other non-operating income, net | | | | | (3,069) | | | (357) | |
Total non-operating expenses, net | | | | | 7,886 | | | 397,081 | |
Loss before income taxes | | | | | $ | (11,581) | | | $ | (423,798) | |
13. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into various transactions with related parties.
The Company has agreements to provide hosting services to various entities that are managed and invested in by individuals that are directors and executives of the Company. For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized hosting revenue from the contracts with these entities of $3.7 million and $5.9 million, respectively. In addition, for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, there was equipment sales revenue recognized of nil and $25.9 million to these same various entities. A nominal amount was receivable from these entities as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
The Company reimburses certain officers and directors of the Company for use of a personal aircraft for flights taken on Company business. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company did not incur personal aircraft reimbursements. For the
Core Scientific, Inc.
(Debtor-in-Possession)
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company incurred reimbursements of $0.5 million. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there was no reimbursements payable.
14. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On April 28, 2023, the Company announced that we have entered into agreements to host 17,935 bitcoin mining machines with three companies, including 6,914 units for Greenidge Generation Holdings, 10,000 units for Ault Alliance, and 1,021 units for LM Funding. The Company will host the mining units at its facilities in Dalton, Georgia, Calvert City, Kentucky and Denton, Texas.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this section to “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” or “Core Scientific” refer to Core Scientific, Inc. and its subsidiaries. The following discussion and analysis provides information which we believe is relevant to an assessment and understanding of our results of operations and financial condition. This discussion and analysis should be read together with the unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes that are included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In addition to historical financial information, this discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements based upon current expectations that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. See the sections entitled “─Forward-Looking Statements” and Part II, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” elsewhere in this Report. Actual results and timing of selected events may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year 2022.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may constitute “forward-looking statements” for purposes of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our and our management team’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may include statements about our ability to:
•implement a Chapter 11 plan of reorganization;
•successfully emerge from the Chapter 11 Cases and generate sufficient liquidity from the restructuring to meet our obligations and operating needs;
•have shares of our common stock listed on the Nasdaq or another national securities exchange upon emergence from the Chapter 11 Cases;
•effectively respond to general economic and business conditions, including the price of bitcoin;
•obtain additional capital, whether equity or debt, or exist or remain as a going concern;
•enhance future operating and financial results;
•successfully execute expansion plans;
•attract and retain employees, officers or directors;
•anticipate rapid changes in laws, regulations and technology;
•execute its business strategy, including enhancement of the profitability of services provided, including profitably mine digital assets;
•realize the benefits expected from the acquisition of Blockcap, including any related synergies;
•anticipate the uncertainties inherent in the development of new business strategies;
•anticipate overall demand of blockchain technology or blockchain hosting resources;
•increase brand awareness;
•upgrade and maintain effective business controls and information technology systems;
•acquire and protect intellectual property;
•comply with laws and regulations applicable to its business, including tax laws and laws and regulations related to data privacy and the protection of the environment;
•purchase and develop additional sources of low-cost renewable sources of energy:
•stay abreast of modified or new laws and regulations applicable to its business or withstand the impact of any new laws and regulations related to its industry;
•anticipate the impact of, and response to, new accounting standards;
•anticipate the significance and timing of contractual obligations;
•maintain key strategic relationships with partners and distributors;
•maintain and operate our key facilities:
•respond to uncertainties associated with product and service development and market acceptance;
•anticipate the impact of changes in U.S. federal income tax laws, including the impact on deferred tax assets; and
•successfully defend litigation, including matters in the Celsius Chapter 11 proceedings.
These forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the documents we reference in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and involve a number of judgments, risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date, and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
You should read this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.
In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and such statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain, and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.
Overview
Core Scientific is a best-in-class, large-scale operator of dedicated, purpose-built facilities for digital asset mining and a premier provider of blockchain infrastructure, software solutions and services. We mine digital assets for our own account and provide colocation hosting services for other large-scale miners at our eight operational data centers in Georgia (2), Kentucky (1), North Carolina (2), North Dakota (1) and Texas (2). We began digital asset mining in 2018 and in 2020 became one of the largest North American providers of colocation hosting services for third-party mining customers, at which time we derived almost all our revenue from third-party colocation hosting fees and the resale of digital asset mining machines. Currently, we derive the majority of our revenue from self-mining bitcoin. We are one of the largest blockchain infrastructure, digital asset mining and colocation hosting provider companies in North America, with an average hourly operating power demand of approximately 581 MW and 636 MW for the three months ending March 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively. As of March 31, 2023, we had approximately 1,500 MW of contracted power capacity at our sites, including 500MW of power allocated to the Muskogee data center, which remains substantially undeveloped.
Our total revenue was $120.7 million and $192.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We had an operating loss of $3.7 million and $26.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We had a net loss of $11.7 million and a net loss of $466.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Our Adjusted EBITDA was $28.7 million and $93.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. See “Key Business Metrics and Non-GAAP Financial Measure” below for our definition of, and additional information related to Adjusted EBITDA.
Recent Developments
Chapter 11 Filing and Other Related Matters
Chapter 11
On December 21, 2022 (the “Petition Date”), the “Company and certain of its affiliates (collectively, the “Debtors”) filed voluntary petitions (the “Chapter 11 Cases”) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (the “Bankruptcy Court”) seeking relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”). The Chapter 11 Cases are jointly administered under Case No. 22-90341. The Debtors continue to operate their business and manage their properties as “debtors-in-possession” (“DIP”) under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and orders of the Bankruptcy Court. The Debtors filed various “first day” motions with the Bankruptcy Court requesting customary relief, which were generally approved by the Bankruptcy Court on December 22, 2022, that have enabled the Company to operate in the ordinary course while under Chapter 11 protection. For detailed discussion about the Chapter 11 Cases, refer to Note 3 — Chapter 11 Filing and Other Related Matters to our unaudited consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report.
Original DIP Credit Agreement and Restructuring Support Agreement
In connection with the Chapter 11 Cases, the Debtors entered into a Senior Secured Super-Priority Debtor-in-Possession Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of December 22, 2022 (the “Original DIP Credit Agreement”), with Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as administrative agent, and the lenders from time to time party thereto (collectively, the “Original DIP Lenders”). The Original DIP Lenders are also holders or affiliates, partners or investors of holders under the Company’s notes sold pursuant to (i) the Secured Convertible Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 19, 2021 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time), by and among Core Scientific, Inc. (as successor of Core Scientific Holding Co.), the guarantors party thereto from time to time, U.S. Bank National Association, as note agent and collateral agent, and the purchasers of the notes issued thereunder (the “Secured Convertible Notes”), and (ii) the Convertible Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 20, 2021, (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time), by and among Core Scientific, Inc. (as successor of Core Scientific Holding Co.), the guarantors party thereto from time to time, U.S. Bank National Association, as note agent and collateral agent, and the purchasers of the notes issued thereunder (the “Other Convertible Notes,” and together with the Secured Convertible Notes, the “Convertible Notes”).
Also in connection with the filing of the Chapter 11 Cases, the Company entered into a restructuring support agreement (together with all exhibits and schedules thereto, the “Restructuring Support Agreement”) with the ad hoc group of noteholders, representing more than 70% of the holders of the Convertible Notes (the “Ad Hoc Noteholder Group”) pursuant to which the Ad Hoc Noteholder Group agreed to provide commitments for a debtor-in-possession facility (the “Original DIP Facility”) of more than $57
million and agreed to support the syndication of up to an additional $18 million in new money DIP (defined below) facility loans to all holders of Convertible Notes. The Company terminated the Restructuring Support Agreement pursuant to a “fiduciary out” which permitted the Company to pursue better alternatives.
Replacement DIP Credit Agreement
On February 2, 2023, the Bankruptcy Court entered an interim order (the “Replacement Interim DIP Order”) authorizing, among other things, the Debtors to obtain senior secured non-priming super-priority replacement post-petition financing (the “Replacement DIP Facility”). On February 27, 2023, the Debtors entered into a Senior Secured Super-Priority Replacement Debtor-in-Possession Loan and Security Agreement governing the Replacement DIP Facility (the “Replacement DIP Credit Agreement”), with B. Riley Commercial Capital, LLC, as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”), and the lenders from time to time party thereto (collectively, the “Replacement DIP Lender”). Proceeds of the Replacement DIP Facility were used to, among other things, repay amounts outstanding under the Original DIP Facility, including payment of all fees and expenses required to be paid under the terms of the Original DIP Facility. These funds, along with ongoing cash generated from operations, were anticipated to provide the necessary financing to effectuate the planned restructuring, facilitate the emergence from Chapter 11, and cover the fees and expenses of legal and financial advisors.
The Replacement DIP Facility, among other things, provides for a non-amortizing super-priority senior secured term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $70 million. Under the Replacement DIP Facility, (i) $35 million was made available following Bankruptcy Court approval of the Interim DIP Order and (ii) $35 million was made available following Bankruptcy Court approval of the Final DIP Order. Loans under the Replacement DIP Facility will bear interest at a rate of 10%, which will be payable in kind in arrears on the first day of each calendar month. The Administrative Agent received an upfront payment equal to 3.5% of the aggregate commitments under the Replacement DIP Facility on February 3, 2023, payable in kind, and the Replacement DIP Lender will receive an exit premium equal to 5% of the amount of the loans being repaid, reduced or satisfied, payable in cash. The Replacement DIP Credit Agreement includes representations and warranties, covenants applicable to the Debtors, and events of default. If an event of default under the Replacement DIP Credit Agreement occurs, the Administrative Agent may, among other things, permanently reduce any remaining commitments and declare the outstanding obligations under the Replacement DIP Credit Agreement to be immediately due and payable.
The maturity date of the Replacement DIP Credit Agreement is December 22, 2023, which can be extended, under certain conditions, by an additional three months to March 22, 2024. The Replacement DIP Credit Agreement will also terminate on the date that is the earliest of the following (i) the effective date of the Plan with respect to the Borrowers (as defined in the Replacement DIP Credit Agreement) or any other Debtor; (ii) the consummation of any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Debtors pursuant to section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code; (iii) the date of the acceleration of the Loans and the termination of the Commitments (whether automatically, or upon any Event of Default or as otherwise provided in the Replacement DIP Credit Agreement); and (iv) conversion of the Chapter 11 Cases into cases under chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code.
On March 1, 2023, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order approving the Replacement DIP Facility on a final basis and the terms under which the Debtors are authorized to use the cash collateral of the holders of their convertible notes (the “Final DIP Order”).
The Bankruptcy Court has appointed two official committees: the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors (the "Creditors' Committee"), which represents general unsecured creditors, and the Official Committee of Equity Security Holders (the “Equity Committee”), which represents equity security holders. These committees have the right to be heard on all matters that come before the Bankruptcy Court and have important roles in the Chapter 11 Cases. The Debtors are required to bear certain costs and expenses of the committees, including those of their counsel and financial advisors, in each case subject to a limited budget.
NYDIG Settlement
On February 26, 2023, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order (the “NYDIG Order”), whereby the Debtors and NYDIG agree that the Debtors would transfer the miners serving as collateral under the NYDIG Loan back to NYDIG over a period of several months in exchange for the full extinguishment of the NYDIG Loan. The final shipment of miners that served as collateral under the NYDIG loan occur during the quarter ended March 31, 2023, after which the NYDIG Loan was extinguished in full and the Company recorded a $20.8 million Gain on extinguishment of debt in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Priority Power Settlement
On March 20, 2023, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order (the “Priority Power Order”), whereby the Debtors and Priority Power agree that the Debtors would transfer equipment to Priority Power and assume an Energy Management and Consulting Services Agreement and other new agreements. Priority Power was determined to have a single aggregate allowed claim of $20.8 million which was secured by a perfected mechanic’s lien. The claim was deemed paid and fully satisfied by transfer of specific equipment from the Debtors to Priority Power on the date of the Priority Power Order, thereby releasing all Priority Power liens. The satisfaction of the obligation and transfer of the equipment is a noncash transaction which did not result in any gain or loss at March 31, 2023.
Our Business Model
Company Overview
Core Scientific is a blockchain technology company with industrial scale digital asset mining, equipment sales and hosting operations. Our operations are currently conducted in the United States at state-of-the-art facilities specifically designed and constructed for housing advanced mining equipment. The Company’s primary business is self-mining and hosting third-party equipment used in mining of digital asset coins and tokens, including bitcoin.
Since July 2018, we have operated for ourselves and on behalf of our customers and related parties, miners of varying models, types, and manufacturers, but primarily miners of bitcoin manufactured by Bitmain Technologies, Ltd (“Bitmain”). We have accumulated significant expertise in the installation, operation, optimization, and repair of digital mining equipment. We have expanded our self-mining operation to take advantage of favorable market conditions and leverage our expertise for our own account.
Our hosting colocation business provides a full suite of services to digital asset mining customers. We provide deployment, monitoring, troubleshooting, optimization and maintenance of our customer’s digital asset mining equipment and provide necessary electrical power and repair and other infrastructure services necessary to operate, maintain and efficiently mine digital assets.
Our business strategy is to continue to grow our self-mining operations by significantly increasing the number of miners dedicated to producing digital assets for our own account, and to continue to develop and grow the infrastructure and facilities necessary to house our growing digital asset mining business and support our third-party hosting colocation business. We may also explore adjacent lines of businesses that leverage our mining expertise and bitcoin assets.
Our proprietary data centers in Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, North Dakota and Texas are purpose-built facilities optimized for the unique requirements of high density blockchain computer servers. We are one of the largest blockchain infrastructure, digital asset mining, and colocation hosting provider companies in North America, with an average hourly operating power demand of approximately 581MW as of March 31, 2023, and 636MW as of December 31, 2022. As of March 31, 2023, we have approximately 1,500MW of contracted power capacity at our sites, including 500MW of power allocated to the Muskogee data center which remains substantially undeveloped. Our existing completed facilities leverage our specialized construction proficiency by employing high-density, low-cost engineering and power designs. We continually evaluate our mining performance, including our ability to access additional megawatts of electric power and to expand our total self-mining and customer and related party hosting hash rates. We may explore additional mining facilities and mining arrangements in connection with our short-, medium- and long-term strategic planning.
Segments
We have two operating segments: “Hosting” which consists primarily of our blockchain infrastructure and third-party hosting business, and “Mining” consisting of digital asset mining for our own account. The blockchain hosting business generates revenue through the sale of consumption-based contracts for our hosting services which are recurring in nature. During 2022, our “Hosting” segment also included sales of mining equipment to customers, and was referred to as “Hosting and Equipment Sales”. The Mining segment generates revenue from operating owned computer equipment as part of a pool of users that process transactions conducted on one or more blockchain networks. In exchange for these services, we receive digital assets.
Mining Equipment
We own and host specialized computers (“miners”) configured for the purpose of validating transactions on multiple digital asset network blockchains (referred to as, “mining”), predominantly the bitcoin network. Substantially all of the miners we own and host were manufactured by Bitmain and incorporate application-specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”) chips specialized to solve blocks on the bitcoin blockchains using the 256-bit secure hashing algorithm (“SHA-256”) in return for bitcoin digital asset rewards.
We have entered into and facilitated agreements with vendors to supply mining equipment for our and our users’ digital asset mining operations. We pay for these new miners in installments, with payment due in advance of the scheduled delivery dates set forth in the applicable purchase agreement. We allocate in advance our mining equipment orders between our self -mining operations and our hosting operations conducted on behalf of customers based on our estimates of where such equipment can most profitably and efficiently be used and in accordance with contractual arrangements with our customers. As of March 31, 2023, all new miners have been paid for in arrangements with our customers.
As of March 31, 2023, we had deployed approximately 207,000 bitcoin miners, which number consists of approximately 155,000 self-miners and approximately 52,000 hosted miners, which represented 16.1 EH/s and 5.7 EH/s for self-miners and hosted miners, respectively.
The table below summarizes the total number of self- and hosted miners in operation as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, (miners in thousands).
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Bitcoin Miners in Operation as of March 31, 2023 |
Mining Equipment | Hash rate (EH/s) | | Number of Miners |
Self-miners | 16.1 | | | 155.0 | |
Hosted miners | 5.7 | | | 52.0 | |
Total mining equipment | 21.8 | | | 207.0 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Bitcoin Miners in Operation as of December 31, 2022 |
Mining Equipment | Hash rate (EH/s) | | Number of Miners |
Self-miners | 15.7 | | 153.0 |
Hosted miners | 8.0 | | 81.0 |
Total mining equipment | 23.7 | | 234.0 |
During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the hosting contracts for 24 customers, (including two related-party customers) were terminated. The previously-hosted ASIC servers were removed from our data center facilities and returned to the customers.
Summary of Digital Asset Activity
Activity related to our digital asset balances for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, were as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2023 | | March 31, 2022 |
Digital assets, beginning of period | $ | 724 | | | $ | 234,298 | |
Digital asset mining revenue | 98,026 | | | 133,000 | |
Proceeds from sales of digital assets | (98,384) | | | — | |
Gain from sales of digital assets | 1,064 | | | 2,163 | |
Impairment of digital assets | (1,056) | | | (53,985) | |
Other | (374) | | | 847 | |
Digital assets, end of period | $ | — | | | $ | 316,323 | |
Performance Metrics
Hash Rate
Miners perform computational operations in support of digital asset blockchains measured in “hash rate” or “hashes per second.” A “hash” is the computation run by mining hardware in support of the blockchain; therefore, a miner’s “hash rate” refers to the rate at which it is capable of solving such computations. The original equipment used for mining bitcoin utilized the Central Processing Unit (“CPU”) of a computer to mine various forms of digital assets. Due to performance limitations, CPU mining was rapidly replaced by the Graphics Processing Unit (“GPU”), which offers significant performance advantages over CPUs. General purpose chipsets like CPUs and GPUs have since been replaced as the standard in the mining industry by ASIC chips such as those
found in the miners we and our customers use to mine bitcoin. These ASIC chips are designed specifically to maximize the rate of hashing operations.
Network Hash Rate
In digital asset mining, hash rate is a measure of the processing speed at which a mining computer operates in its attempt to secure a specific digital asset. A participant in a blockchain network’s mining function has a hash rate equivalent to the total of all its miners seeking to mine a specific digital asset. System-wide, the total network hash rate reflects the sum total of all miners seeking to mine each specific type of digital asset. A participant’s higher total hash rate relative to the system-wide total hash rate generally results in a corresponding higher success rate in digital asset rewards over time as compared to mining participants with relatively lower total hash rates.
However, as the relative market price for a digital asset, such as bitcoin, increases, more users are incentivized to mine for that digital asset, which increases the network’s overall hash rate. As a result, a mining participant must increase its total hash rate in order to maintain its relative possibility of solving a block on the network blockchain. Achieving greater hash rate power by deploying increasingly sophisticated miners in ever greater quantities has become one of the bitcoin mining industry’s great sources of competition. Our goal is to deploy a powerful fleet of self- and hosted-miners, while operating as energy-efficiently as possible.
Key Factors Affecting Our Performance
Market Price of Digital Assets
Our business is heavily dependent on the spot price of bitcoin, as well as other digital assets. The prices of digital assets, specifically bitcoin, have experienced substantial volatility, which may reflect “bubble” type volatility, meaning that high or low prices may have little or no relationship to identifiable market forces, may be subject to rapidly changing investor sentiment, and may be influenced by factors such as technology, regulatory void or changes, fraudulent actors, manipulation, and media reporting. Bitcoin (as well as other digital assets) may have value based on various factors, including their acceptance as a means of exchange by consumers and others, scarcity, and market demand.
Our financial performance and continued growth depend in large part on our ability to mine for digital assets profitably and to attract customers for our hosting services. Increases in power costs, inability to mine digital assets efficiently and to sell digital assets at favorable prices will reduce our operating margins, impact our ability to attract customers for our services, may harm our growth prospects and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Over time, we have observed a positive trend in the total market capitalization of digital assets which suggests increased adoption. However, historical trends are not indicative of future adoption, and it is possible that the adoption of digital assets and blockchain technology may slow, take longer to develop, or never be broadly adopted, which would negatively impact our business and operating results.
Network Hash Rate
Our business is not only impacted by the volatility in digital asset prices, but also by increases in the competition for digital asset production. For bitcoin, this increased competition is described as the network hash rate resulting from the growth in the overall quantity and quality of miners working to solve blocks on the bitcoin blockchain, and the difficulty index associated with the secure hashing algorithm employed in solving the blocks.
Difficulty
The increase in bitcoin’s network hash rate results in a regular increase in the cryptographic complexity associated with solving blocks on its blockchain, or its difficulty. Increased difficulty reduces the mining proceeds of the equipment proportionally and eventually requires bitcoin miners to upgrade their mining equipment to remain profitable and compete effectively with other miners. Similarly, a decline in network hash rate results in a decrease in difficulty, increasing mining proceeds and profitability.
The table below provides a summary of the impact to revenue from the increase or decrease in the market price of bitcoin, difficulty and our hash rate. The impact to revenue in each scenario assumes only one driver increases or decreases and all others are held constant.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Impact to Revenue |
| | | | |
Driver | | Increase in Driver | | Decrease in Driver |
Market Price of Bitcoin | | Favorable | | Unfavorable |
Difficulty | | Unfavorable | | Favorable |
Core Scientific Hash Rate | | Favorable | | Unfavorable |
Halvening
Further affecting the industry, and particularly for the bitcoin blockchain, the digital asset reward for solving a block is subject to periodic incremental halvening. Halvening is a process designed to control the overall supply and reduce the risk of inflation in digital assets using a proof of work consensus algorithm. At a predetermined block, the mining reward is reduced by half, hence the term “halvening.”
For bitcoin, our most significant digital asset to which the vast majority of our mining power is devoted, the reward was initially set at 50 bitcoin currency rewards per block. The bitcoin blockchain has undergone halvening three times since its inception, as follows: (1) on November 28, 2012, at block 210,000; (2) on July 9, 2016 at block 420,000; and (3) on May 11, 2020 at block 630,000, when the reward was reduced to its current level of 6.25 bitcoin per block. The next halvening for the bitcoin blockchain is anticipated to occur in early 2024 at block 840,000. This process will repeat until the total amount of bitcoin currency rewards issued reaches 21 million and the theoretical supply of new bitcoin is exhausted, which is expected to occur around the year 2140. Many factors influence the price of bitcoin and the other digital assets we may mine for, and potential increases or decreases in prices in advance of or following a future halvening are unknown.
Electricity Costs
Electricity cost is the major operating cost for the mining fleet, as well as for the hosting services provided to customers and related parties. The cost and availability of electricity are affected primarily by changes in seasonal demand, with peak demand during the summer months driving higher costs and increased curtailments to support grid operators. Severe winter weather can increase the cost of electricity and the frequency of curtailments when it results in damage to power transmission infrastructure that reduces the grid’s ability to deliver power. Geopolitical and macroeconomic factors, such as overseas military or economic conflict between states, can adversely affect electricity costs by raising the cost of power generation inputs such as natural gas. Locally, factors such as animal incursion, sabotage and other events out of our control can also impact electricity costs and availability.
Equipment Costs
The long-term trend of increasing digital assets market value has increased demand for the newest, most efficient miners and has resulted in scarcity in the supply of, and thereby a resulting increase in the price of, those miners. The recent decline in the market value of digital assets has resulted in excess supply of miners and a decline in their price. As a result, the cost of new machines can be unpredictable, and could be significantly higher than our historical cost for new miners.
Our Customers
In addition to factors underlying our mining business growth and profitability, our success greatly depends on our ability to retain and develop opportunities with our existing customers and to attract new customers. On July 30, 2021, we acquired an existing hosting customer, Blockcap, Inc. (“Blockcap”), and thereby increased our self-mining operations.
Our business environment is constantly evolving, and digital asset miners can range from individual enthusiasts to professional mining operations with dedicated data centers. The Company competes with other enterprises that focus all or a portion of their activities on mining activities at scale. We face significant competition in every aspect of our business, including, but not limited to, the acquisition of new miners, the ability to raise capital, obtaining low-cost electricity, obtaining access to energy sites with reliable sources of power, and evaluating new technology developments in the industry.
At present, the information concerning the activities of these enterprises may not be readily available as the vast majority of the participants in this sector do not publish information publicly, or the information may be unreliable. Published sources of information include “bitcoin.org” and “blockchain.info”; however, the reliability of that information and its continued availability cannot be assured.
We believe, based on available data, that despite the significant decrease in market prices for bitcoin and other major digital assets during 2022, an increase in the scale and sophistication of competition in the digital asset mining industry has continued increasing network hash rate, with new entrants and existing competitors increasing the number of miners mining for bitcoin.
Despite this trend, we believe, we have continued to maintain a competitive hash rate capacity among both public and private bitcoin miners. However, to remain competitive in our evolving industry, both against new entrants into the market and existing competitors, we anticipate that we will need to continue to expand our existing miner fleet by purchasing new and available used miners, as well as innovating to develop and implement new technologies and mining solutions.
We believe that our integrated blockchain service portfolio, as well as our differentiated customer experience and technology, are keys to retaining and growing revenue from existing customers and to acquiring new customers. For example, we believe our significant build-out and ready power along with our MinderTM fleet management software, represent meaningful competitive advantages favorable to our business.
Key Business Metrics and Non-GAAP Financial Measure
In addition to our financial results, we use the following business metrics and non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate our business, measure our performance, identify trends affecting our business, and make strategic decisions. For a definition of these key business metrics, see the sections titled “Self-Mining Hash Rate” and “Adjusted EBITDA” (below).
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
Self-Mining Hash rate (Exahash per second) | 16.1 | | | 8.3 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | | | | 2023 | | 2022 |
Adjusted EBITDA (in millions) | | | | | $ | 28.7 | | | $ | 93.0 | |
Self-Mining Hash Rate
We operate mining hardware which performs computational operations in support of the blockchain measured in “hash rate” or “hashes per second.” A “hash” is the computation run by mining hardware in support of the blockchain; therefore, a miner’s “hash rate” refers to the rate at which the hardware is capable of solving such computations. Our hash rate represents the hash rate of our miners as a proportion of the total bitcoin network hash rate and drives the number of digital asset rewards that will be earned by our fleet. We calculate and report our hash rate in exahash per second (“EH/s”). One exahash equals one quintillion hashes per second.
We measure the hash rate produced by our mining fleet through our management software MinderTM, which consolidates the reported hash rate from each miner. The method by which we measure our hash rate may differ from how other operators present such measure.
Our self-mining hash rate was 16.1 EH/s and 8.3 EH/s for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively representing a 94% increase year over year.
Our combined self-mining and customer and related party hosting hash rate grew 35%, to 21.8 EH/s for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from 16.2 EH/s for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as our net income or (loss), adjusted to eliminate the effect of (i) interest income, interest expense, and other income (expense), net; (ii) provision for income taxes; (iii) depreciation and amortization; (iv) stock-based compensation expense; (v) gain on sale of intangible assets; (vi) Reorganization items, net; and (vii) certain additional non-cash or non-recurring items, which do not reflect our ongoing business operations. For additional information, including the reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA, please refer to the table below. We believe Adjusted EBITDA is an important measure because it allows management, investors, and our board of directors to evaluate and compare our operating results, including our return on capital and operating efficiencies, from period-to-period by making the adjustments described above. In addition, it provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our results of operations, as well as provides a useful measure for period-to-period comparisons of our business, as it removes the effect of net interest expense, taxes, certain non-cash items, variable charges, and timing differences. Moreover, we have included Adjusted EBITDA in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q because it is a key measurement used by our management internally to make operating decisions, including those related to operating expenses, evaluate performance, and perform strategic and financial planning.
The above items are excluded from our Adjusted EBITDA measure because these items are non-cash in nature, or because the amount and timing of these items is unpredictable, not driven by core results of operations and renders comparisons with prior periods and competitors less meaningful. However, you should be aware that when evaluating Adjusted EBITDA, we may incur future expenses similar to those excluded when calculating this measure. Our presentation of this measure should not be construed as an inference that its future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items. Further, this non-GAAP financial measure should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on GAAP results and using Adjusted EBITDA on a supplemental basis. Our computation of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures computed by other companies because not all companies calculate this measure in the same fashion. You should review the reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA below and not rely on any single financial measure to evaluate our business.
The following table presents a reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | | | | 2023 | | 2022 |
Adjusted EBITDA | | | | | |
Net loss | | | | | $ | (11,685) | | | $ | (466,204) | |
Adjustments: | | | | | | | |
Interest expense, net | | | | | 157 | | | 21,676 | |
Income tax expense | | | | | 104 | | | 42,406 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | | | 20,094 | | | 42,139 | |
Gain on debt extinguishment | | | | | (20,761) | | | — | |
Stock-based compensation expense | | | | | 12,273 | | | 25,797 | |
Fair value adjustment on derivative warrant liabilities | | | | | — | | | (10,275) | |
Fair value adjustment on convertible notes | | | | | — | | | 386,037 | |
Gain from sales of digital assets | | | | | (1,064) | | | (2,163) | |
Impairment of digital assets | | | | | 1,056 | | | 53,985 | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Reorganization items, net | | | | | 31,559 | | | — | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Non-cash and other items | | | | | (3,069) | | | (357) | |
Adjusted EBITDA | | | | | $ | 28,664 | | | $ | 93,041 | |
Components of Results of Operations
Revenue
Our revenue consists primarily of returns from our hosting operations, including the sales of mining equipment to be hosted in our data centers and digital asset mining income.
•Hosting revenue from customers and related parties. Hosting revenue from customers and related parties is based on electricity-based consumption contracts with our customers and related parties. Most contracts are renewable, and our customers are generally billed on a fixed and recurring basis each month for the duration of their contract, which vary from one to three years in length. See Item 13 - “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence,” to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
•Equipment sales to customers and related parties. Equipment sales to customers and related parties is derived from our ability to leverage our partnerships with leading equipment manufacturers to secure equipment in advance, which is then sold to our customers and related parties. Our equipment sales are typically in connection with a hosting contract.
•Digital asset mining revenue. We operate a digital asset mining operation using specialized computers equipped with application-specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”) chips (known as “miners”) to solve complex cryptographic algorithms in support of the bitcoin blockchain (in a process known as “solving a block”) in exchange for digital asset rewards (primarily bitcoin). The Company participates in “mining pools” organized by “mining pool operators” in which we share our mining power (known as “hash rate”) with the hash rate generated by other miners participating in the pool to earn digital asset rewards. The mining pool operator provides a service that coordinates the computing power of the independent mining enterprises participating in the mining pool. The pool uses software that coordinates the pool members’ mining power, identifies new block rewards, records how much hash rate each participant contributes to the pool, and assigns digital asset rewards earned by the pool among its participants in proportion to the hash rate each participant contributed to the pool in connection with solving a block. Revenues from digital asset mining are impacted by volatility in bitcoin prices, as well as increases in the bitcoin blockchain’s network hash rate resulting from the growth in the overall quantity and quality of miners working to solve blocks on the bitcoin blockchain and the difficulty index associated with the secure hashing algorithm employed in solving the blocks.
Cost of revenue
The Company’s Cost of Hosting Services and Cost of Digital Asset Mining primarily consist of electricity costs, salaries, stock-based compensation, depreciation of property, plant and equipment used to perform hosting services and mining operations and other related costs. Cost of Equipment Sales includes costs of computer equipment sold to customers.
Gain from sales of digital assets
Gain from sales of digital assets consist of gain on sales of digital assets.
Impairment of digital assets
We initially recognize digital assets that are received as digital asset mining revenue based on the fair value of the digital assets when earned and received. Digital assets that are purchased in an exchange of one digital asset for another digital asset are recognized at the fair value of the asset received at the time of the transaction.
These assets are adjusted to fair value only when an impairment is recognized. Impairment exists when the carrying amount exceeds its fair value. Impairment is measured using quoted prices of the digital asset at the time its fair value is being assessed. Quoted prices, including intraday low prices, are collected and utilized in impairment testing and measurement on a daily basis. To the extent that an impairment loss is recognized, the loss establishes the new costs basis of the digital asset.
Impairment losses are recognized in the period in which the impairment is identified. The impaired digital assets are written down to their fair value at the time of impairment and this new carrying value will not be adjusted upward for any subsequent increase in fair value. See Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information.
Operating expenses
Operating expenses consists of research and development, sales and marketing, and general and administrative expenses. Each is outlined in more detail below.
•Research and development. We invest in research and development to build capabilities to extend our blockchain platform management and software solutions, in order to manage our mining fleet more efficiently, expand within existing accounts, and to gain new customers by offering differentiated blockchain hosting services. Research and development costs include compensation and benefits, stock-based compensation, other personnel related costs and professional fees.
•Sales and Marketing. Sales and Marketing expenses consist of marketing expenses, trade shows and events, professional fees, compensation and benefits, stock-based compensation and other personnel-related costs.
•General and administrative. General and administrative expenses include compensation and benefits expenses for employees, who are not part of the research and development and sales and marketing organization, professional fees, and other personnel related expenses. Also included are stock-based compensation, professional fees, business insurance, auditor fees, bad debt, amortization of intangibles, franchise taxes, and bank fees.
Non-operating expenses, net
Non-operating expenses, net includes gain on debt extinguishment, interest expense, net, fair value adjustment on convertible notes, fair value adjustment on derivative warrant liabilities, reorganization items, net and other non-operating expenses, net.
Income tax expense
Income tax expense consists of U.S. federal, state and local income taxes. We evaluate our ability to recognize our deferred tax assets quarterly by considering all positive and negative evidence available as proscribed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) under its general principles of ASC 740, Income Taxes. See Note 10 — Income Taxes, in our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information.
Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022
The following table sets forth our selected Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the periods indicated.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | Period over Period Change |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | Dollar | | Percentage |
Revenue: | (in thousands, except percentages) |
Hosting revenue from customers | $ | 18,909 | | | $ | 27,338 | | | $ | (8,429) | | | (31) | % |
Hosting revenue from related parties | 3,720 | | | 5,876 | | | (2,156) | | | (37) | % |
Equipment sales to customers | — | | | 416 | | | (416) | | | NM |
Equipment sales to related parties | — | | | 25,889 | | | (25,889) | | | NM |
Digital asset mining revenue | 98,026 | | | 133,000 | | | (34,974) | | | (26) | % |
Total revenue | 120,655 | | | 192,519 | | | (71,864) | | | (37) | % |
Cost of revenue: | | | | | | | |
Cost of hosting services | 18,826 | | | 31,231 | | | (12,405) | | | (40) | % |
Cost of equipment sales | — | | | 22,535 | | | (22,535) | | | NM |
Cost of digital asset mining | 81,345 | | | 68,750 | | | 12,595 | | | 18 | % |
Total cost of revenue | 100,171 | | | 122,516 | | | (22,345) | | | (18) | % |
Gross profit | 20,484 | | | 70,003 | | | (49,519) | | | (71) | % |
| | | | | | | |
Gain from sales of digital assets | 1,064 | | | 2,163 | | | (1,099) | | | (51) | % |
Impairment of digital assets | (1,056) | | | (53,985) | | | 52,929 | | | NM |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | |
Research and development | 1,415 | | | 3,340 | | | (1,925) | | | (58) | % |
Sales and marketing | 1,008 | | | 1,398 | | | (390) | | | (28) | % |
General and administrative | 21,764 | | | 40,160 | | | (18,396) | | | (46) | % |
Total operating expenses | 24,187 | | | 44,898 | | | (20,711) | | | (46) | % |
Operating loss | (3,695) | | | (26,717) | | | 23,022 | | | NM |
Non-operating expenses, net: | | | | | | | |
Gain on debt extinguishment | (20,761) | | | — | | | (20,761) | | | NM |
Interest expense, net | 157 | | | 21,676 | | | (21,519) | | | (99) | % |
Fair value adjustment on convertible notes | — | | | 386,037 | | | (386,037) | | | NM |
Fair value adjustment on derivative warrant liabilities | — | | | (10,275) | | | 10,275 | | | NM |
Reorganization items, net | 31,559 | | | — | | | 31,559 | | | NM |
Other non-operating income, net | (3,069) | | | (357) | | | (2,712) | | | NM |
Total non-operating expenses, net | 7,886 | | | 397,081 | | | (389,195) | | | (98) | % |
Loss before income taxes | (11,581) | | | (423,798) | | | 412,217 | | | NM |
Income tax expense | 104 | | | 42,406 | | | (42,302) | | | (100) | % |
Net loss | $ | (11,685) | | | $ | (466,204) | | | $ | 454,519 | | | NM |
NM - Not Meaningful
Revenue | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | Period over Period Change |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | Dollar | | Percentage |
Revenue: | (in thousands, except percentages) |
Hosting revenue from customers | $ | 18,909 | | | $ | 27,338 | | | $ | (8,429) | | | (31) | % |
Hosting revenue from related parties | 3,720 | | | 5,876 | | | (2,156) | | | (37) | % |
Equipment sales to customers | — | | | 416 | | | (416) | | | NM |
Equipment sales to related parties | — | | | 25,889 | | | (25,889) | | | NM |
Digital asset mining revenue | 98,026 | | | 133,000 | | | (34,974) | | | (26) | % |
Total revenue | $ | 120,655 | | | $ | 192,519 | | | $ | (71,864) | | | (37) | % |
Percentage of total revenue: | | | | | | | |
Hosting revenue from customers | 16 | % | | 14 | % | | | | |
Hosting revenue from related parties | 3 | % | | 3 | % | | | | |
Equipment sales to customers | — | % | | — | % | | | | |
Equipment sales to related parties | — | % | | 13 | % | | | | |
Digital asset mining revenue | 81 | % | | 70 | % | | | | |
Total revenue | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | | | |
Total revenue decreased by $71.9 million to $120.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, from $192.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, as a result of the factors described below.
Total hosting revenue from customers decreased by $8.4 million or 31%, to $18.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, from $27.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease in hosting revenue from customers was primarily driven by the termination of contracts for several customers in the portfolio at less profitable hosting rates and the associated reduction in the total number of hosting miners in the fleet for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Total hosting revenue from related parties decreased by $2.2 million or 37%, to $3.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, from $5.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease in related party hosting revenue was primarily driven by the termination of hosting contracts during the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Equipment sales to customers decreased by $0.4 million or 100%, to nil for the three months ended March 31, 2023, from $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease in equipment sales to customers was driven by the Company’s decision to exit the Equipment Sales business due to the increasing number of hosting customers purchasing mining equipment directly from manufacturers for deployments in our data centers during the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Equipment sales to related parties decreased by $25.9 million or 100%, to nil for the three months ended March 31, 2023, from $25.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease in equipment sales to related parties was driven by the Company’s decision to exit the Equipment Sales business due to the increasing number of customers purchasing mining equipment directly from manufacturers for deployments in our data centers during the year ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the year ended March 31, 2022.
Digital asset mining revenue decreased by $35.0 million to $98.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, from $133.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The year over year decrease in mining revenue was driven primarily by a decrease in the price of bitcoin and an increase in the global bitcoin network hash rate, partially offset by the increase in our self-mining hash rate from increases in the number of mining units deployed. Our self-mining hash rate increased by 94%, to 16.1 EH/s for the three months ended March 31, 2023, from 8.3 EH/s for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The total number of bitcoins mined for the three months ended March 31, 2023, was 4,299 compared to 3,202 for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The average price of bitcoin for the three months ended March 31, 2023, was $22,877 as compared to $41,299 for the three months ended March 31, 2022, a decrease of 45%.
Cost of revenue
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | Period over Period Change |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | Dollar | | Percentage |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
Cost of revenue | $ | 100,171 | | | $ | 122,516 | | | $ | (22,345) | | | (18) | % |
Gross profit | 20,484 | | | 70,003 | | | (49,519) | | | (71) | % |
Gross margin | 17 | % | | 36 | % | | | | |
Cost of revenue decreased by $22.3 million or 18%, to $100.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, from $122.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. As a percentage of total revenue, cost of revenue totaled 83% and 64% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease in cost of revenue was primarily attributable to $22.5 million of lower equipment sales costs due the Company exiting the selling of equipment, decreased depreciation expense of $21.4 million driven by an adjustment to the depreciable base for the deployed self-mining units, partially offset by an increase in power costs of $22.2 million from higher power consumption associated with the expansion of capacity at our mining sites and increasing number of miners deployed and operational.
Gain from sales of digital assets
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | Period over Period Change |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | Dollar | | Percentage |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
Gain from sales of digital assets | $ | 1,064 | | | $ | 2,163 | | | $ | (1,099) | | | (51) | % |
Percentage of total revenue | 1 | % | | 1 | % | | | | |
Gain from sales of digital assets decreased by $1.1 million to $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, from a gain of $2.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Gains are recorded when realized upon sale(s). In determining the gain to be recognized upon sale, we calculate the difference between the sales price and carrying value of the digital assets sold immediately prior to sale. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, the carrying value of our digital assets sold was $97.3 million and proceeds were $98.4 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, the carrying value of our digital assets sold was $21.4 million and the sales price was $23.6 million.
Impairment of digital assets
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | Period over Period Change |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | Dollar | | Percentage |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
Impairment of digital assets | $ | (1,056) | | | $ | (53,985) | | | $ | 52,929 | | | NM |
Percentage of total revenue | (1) | % | | (28) | % | | | | |
Impairment of digital assets decreased by $52.9 million to $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, from $54.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Impairment exists when the carrying amount exceeds its fair value. Impairment is measured using quoted prices of the digital asset at the time its fair value is being assessed. Quoted prices, including intraday low prices, are collected and utilized in impairment testing and measurement on a daily basis. If the then current carrying value of a digital asset exceeds the fair value so determined, an impairment loss has occurred with respect to those digital assets in the amount equal to the difference between their carrying value and the price determined. The carrying value of our digital assets amounted to nil and $316.3 million as of March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022, respectively.
Operating Expenses
Research and development
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | Period over Period Change |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | Dollar | | Percentage |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
Research and development | $ | 1,415 | | | $ | 3,340 | | | $ | (1,925) | | | (58) | % |
Percentage of total revenue | 1 | % | | 2 | % | | | | |
Research and development expenses decreased by $1.9 million or 58%, to $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, from $3.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease was driven by lower stock-based compensation of $1.4 million as prior year included vesting acceleration associated with the acquisition of BlockCap, a decrease in professional fees of $0.4 million, and lower personnel and related expenses of $0.1 million,
Sales and marketing
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | Period over Period Change |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | Dollar | | Percentage |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
Sales and marketing | $ | 1,008 | | | $ | 1,398 | | | $ | (390) | | | (28) | % |
Percentage of total revenue | 1 | % | | 1 | % | | | | |
Sales and marketing expenses decreased by $0.4 million or 28%, to $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, from $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease was driven primarily by lower advertising and marketing investment for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
General and administrative
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | Period over Period Change |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | Dollar | | Percentage |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
General and administrative | $ | 21,764 | | | $ | 40,160 | | | $ | (18,396) | | | (46) | % |
Percentage of total revenue | 18 | % | | 21 | % | | | | |
General and administrative expenses decreased by $18.4 million to $21.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, from $40.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily driven by $10.7 million lower stock-based compensation as prior year included vesting acceleration associated with the acquisition of BlockCap, $5.4 million of lower professional fees primarily related to expenses in the prior year to support public company readiness, $1.4 million of lower payroll and benefit costs associated with lower headcount, $0.9 million lower employee related expenses such as travel, software and rent, and $0.7 million of reduced depreciation and amortization, partially offset by $0.6 million of increased business insurance.
Non-operating expenses, net
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | Period over Period Change |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | Dollar | | Percentage |
Non-operating expenses, net: | (in thousands, except percentages) |
Gain on debt extinguishment | $ | (20,761) | | | $ | — | | | $ | (20,761) | | | NM |
Interest expense, net | 157 | | | 21,676 | | | (21,519) | | | (99) | % |
Fair value adjustment on convertible notes | — | | | 386,037 | | | (386,037) | | | NM |
Fair value adjustment on derivative warrant liabilities | — | | | (10,275) | | | 10,275 | | | NM |
Reorganization items, net | 31,559 | | | — | | | 31,559 | | | NM |
Other non-operating income, net | (3,069) | | | (357) | | | (2,712) | | | NM |
Total non-operating expenses, net | $ | 7,886 | | | $ | 397,081 | | | $ | (389,195) | | | (98) | % |
Total non-operating expenses, net decreased by $389.2 million, to $7.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, from $397.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease in non-operating expenses, net was primarily driven by a fair value adjustment on convertible notes of $386.0 million (excluding interest expense and changes in instrument-specific credit risk) for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to no adjustment for the same period in 2023, partially offset by a $31.6 million increase in Reorganization items, net related to DIP financing fees and bankruptcy advisor fees post-petition in the first quarter of 2023.
Income tax expense
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | Period over Period Change |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | Dollar | | Percentage |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
Income tax expense | $ | 104 | | | $ | 42,406 | | | $ | (42,302) | | | (100) | % |
Percentage of total revenue | — | % | | 22 | % | | | | |
Income tax expense consists of U.S. federal, state and local income taxes. For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, our income tax expense was $0.1 million and $42.4 million, respectively. The $42.3 million decrease in the provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to same period in 2022, was primarily due to a reduction in our U.S. federal deferred tax liability. The Company's effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2023, was lower than the federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to losses and certain deductions for which no tax benefit can be recognized.
Segment Total Revenue and Gross Profit
The following table presents total revenue and gross profit by reportable segment for the periods presented:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | Period over Period Change |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | Dollar | | Percentage |
Hosting Segment | (in thousands, except percentages) |
Revenue: | | | | | | | |
Hosting revenue | $ | 22,629 | | $ | 33,214 | | $ | (10,585) | | | (32)% |
Equipment sales | — | | 26,305 | | (26,305) | | | NM |
Total revenue | 22,629 | | 59,519 | | (36,890) | | | (62)% |
Cost of revenue: | | | | | | | |
Cost of hosting services | 18,826 | | 31,231 | | (12,405) | | | (40)% |
Cost of equipment sales | — | | 22,535 | | (22,535) | | | NM |
Total cost of revenue | $ | 18,826 | | $ | 53,766 | | $ | (34,940) | | | (65)% |
Gross profit | $ | 3,803 | | $ | 5,753 | | $ | (1,950) | | | (34)% |
Hosting Margin | 17% | | 10% | | | | |
Mining Segment | | | | | | | |
Digital asset mining revenue | $ | 98,026 | | $ | 133,000 | | $ | (34,974) | | | (26)% |
Total revenue | 98,026 | | 133,000 | | (34,974) | | | (26)% |
Cost of revenue | 81,345 | | 68,750 | | 12,595 | | | 18% |
Gross profit | $ | 16,681 | | $ | 64,250 | | $ | (47,569) | | | (74)% |
Mining Margin | 17% | | 48% | | | | |
Consolidated | | | | | | | |
Consolidated total revenue | $ | 120,655 | | $ | 192,519 | | $ | (71,864) | | | (37)% |
Consolidated cost of revenue | $ | 100,171 | | $ | 122,516 | | $ | (22,345) | | | (18)% |
Consolidated gross profit | $ | 20,484 | | $ | 70,003 | | $ | (49,519) | | | (71)% |
For the three months ended March 31, 2023, cost of revenue included depreciation expense of $0.2 million for the Hosting segment and $19.9 million for the Mining segment. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, cost of revenue included depreciation expense of $2.2 million for the Hosting segment and $39.4 million for the Mining segment.
For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the top three customers accounted for approximately 73% and 66%, respectively, of the Hosting’s segment total revenue.
For the three months ended March 31, 2023, gross profit in the Hosting segment decreased $2.0 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022, reflecting a Hosting segment gross profit margin of 17% for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to 10% for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease in Hosting segment gross profit margin for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022 was primarily due to lower margins on equipment sales, an increase in stock-based compensation expense, which primarily reflected the RSU Amendment, and higher power costs.
For the three months ended March 31, 2023, gross profit in the Mining segment decreased $47.6 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022, due to a lower Mining segment gross profit margin of 17% for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to 48% for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease in the Mining segment gross profit margin was primarily due to an increase in power rates, an increase in depreciation as a percentage of segment revenues, which reflected higher costs of self-mining units more recently deployed, an increase in stock-based compensation expense as a percentage of revenues, which primarily reflected the RSU Amendment, and a 45% a decrease in average price per bitcoin mined. The decrease in the Mining segment gross profit margin was partially offset by an increase in our self-mining hash rate, which was 16.10 EH/s for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to 8.3 EH/s for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
A reconciliation of the reportable segment gross profit to loss before income taxes included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | Period over Period Change |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | Dollar | | Percentage |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
Reportable segment gross profit | $ | 20,484 | | | $ | 70,003 | | | $ | (49,519) | | | (71)% |
Gain from sales of digital assets | 1,064 | | | 2,163 | | | (1,099) | | | (51)% |
Impairment of digital assets | (1,056) | | | (53,985) | | | 52,929 | | | NM |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | |
Research and development | 1,415 | | | 3,340 | | | (1,925) | | | (58)% |
Sales and marketing | 1,008 | | | 1,398 | | | (390) | | | (28)% |
General and administrative | 21,764 | | | 40,160 | | | (18,396) | | | (46)% |
Total operating expenses | 24,187 | | | 44,898 | | | (20,711) | | | (46)% |
Operating loss | (3,695) | | | (26,717) | | | 23,022 | | | NM |
Non-operating expenses, net: | | | | | | | |
Gain on debt extinguishment | (20,761) | | | — | | | (20,761) | | | NM |
Interest expense, net | 157 | | | 21,676 | | | (21,519) | | | (99)% |
Fair value adjustment on derivative warrant liabilities | — | | | (10,275) | | | 10,275 | | | NM |
Fair value adjustment on convertible notes | — | | | 386,037 | | | (386,037) | | | NM |
Reorganization items, net | 31,559 | | | — | | | 31,559 | | | NM |
Other non-operating income, net | (3,069) | | | (357) | | | (2,712) | | | 760% |
Total non-operating expenses, net | 7,886 | | | 397,081 | | | (389,195) | | | NM |
Loss before income taxes | $ | (11,581) | | | $ | (423,798) | | | $ | 412,217 | | | NM |
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Sources of Liquidity
Historically, we have financed our operations primarily through sales of equity securities, debt issuances, equipment financing arrangements and cash from operations, including sales of self-mined bitcoin and other digital assets. Subsequent to filing Chapter 11, our primary sources of cash are cash flows from operations, cash on hand and proceeds from the Original DIP Facility and the Replacement DIP Facility. At March 31, 2023, we have $35.0 million of undrawn borrowing capacity under the Replacement DIP Facility.
We have engaged Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, as legal advisers, and PJT Partners LP and AlixPartners, LLP, as financial advisers, to assist the Company in managing the Chapter 11 Cases and developing, confirming, and consummating a Chapter 11 plan of reorganization or alternative restructuring transaction.
Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon our ability to successfully emerge from the Chapter 11 Cases and generate sufficient liquidity from the restructuring to meet our obligations and operating needs. Refer to “Other Events —Chapter 11 and Other Related Matters” below for more information on the Chapter 11 Cases and the effect on our liquidity.
Operating and Capital Resources
Historically, a substantial portion of our liquidity needs arose from debt service on our outstanding indebtedness and from funding the costs of operations, working capital and capital expenditures. Our previous level of capital expenditures have been reduced since filing Chapter 11 and we expect them to remain at a reduced level until our emergence from Chapter 11.
We have assessed our current and expected operating and capital expenditure requirements and our current and expected sources of liquidity, and have determined, based on our forecasted financial results and financial condition as of March 31, 2023, that our operating cash flows, existing cash balances, and access to the Replacement DIP Facility will be adequate to finance our working capital requirements, fund capital expenditures and make our required debt interest and principal payments, pay taxes and make other payments due under any plan of reorganization. We believe that the plan of reorganization, our current liquidity and expected funding requirements will allow us to operate for at least the next 12 months.
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, cash requirements and cash flows
Cash and cash equivalents include all cash balances and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less from the date of acquisition.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, | | December 31, | | Period over Period Change |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | Dollar | | Percentage |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 47,487 | | | $ | 15,884 | | | $ | 31,603 | | | 199 | % |
Restricted cash | 21,805 | | | 36,356 | | | (14,551) | | | (40) | % |
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | 69,292 | | | $ | 52,240 | | | $ | 17,052 | | | 33 | % |
As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, restricted cash of $21.8 million and $36.4 million, consisted of cash held in escrow under the Original DIP Credit Agreement and to pay for construction activities.
The following table summarizes our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash flows for the periods indicated.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
| (in thousands) |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash – beg. of period | $ | 52,240 | | | $ | 131,678 | |
Net cash provided by (used in) | | | |
Operating activities | 19,942 | | | (3,615) | |
Investing activities | (1,869) | | | (269,096) | |
Financing activities | (1,021) | | | 251,465 | |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash - end of period | $ | 69,292 | | | $ | 110,432 | |
Our principal uses of cash in recent periods have been funding our operations and investing in capital expenditures.
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $19.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to net cash used in operating activities of $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022, was primarily due to a decrease in net loss of $454.5 million and an increase of $61.8 million in working capital, partially offset by a decrease in fair value adjustments on convertible notes of $393.9 million, a $52.9 million decrease in impairments of digital currency assets, and a $34.0 million decrease in deferred income taxes.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, was $1.9 million and $269.1 million, respectively. The decrease in net cash used in investing activities was driven primarily by a $135.9 million decrease in deposits for self-mining equipment and a $131.7 million decrease in purchases of property, plant and equipment.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023, was $1.0 million. Net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2022, was $251.5 million, respectively. The change over prior year was due primarily to $195.0 million of proceeds from the issuance of common stock and cash acquired upon the Merger with XPDI, net of issuance costs and $82.2 million from the issuance of debt for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Commitments and Contractual Obligations
For a discussion of Commitments and Contractual Obligations, refer to Notes 7 — Leases and 8 — Commitments and Contingencies to our unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Other Events
Chapter 11 and Other Related Matters
Chapter 11 Cases
As an initial step towards implementation of the plan of reorganization, on the Petition Date, the Debtors filed the Chapter 11 Cases. Each Debtor continues to operate its business as a “debtor in possession” under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and the orders of the Bankruptcy Court. The Chapter 11 Cases are being jointly administered under Case No. 22-90341.
In general, as debtors-in-possession under the Bankruptcy Code, we are authorized to continue to operate as an ongoing business, however, we may not engage in transactions outside the ordinary course of business without the prior approval of the Bankruptcy Court. To ensure the Debtors’ ability to continue operating in the ordinary course of business and minimize the effect of
the restructuring on the Debtors’ customers and employees, the Debtors filed certain motions and applications intended to limit the disruption of the bankruptcy proceedings on its operations (the “First Day Motions”), including authority to pay employee wages and benefits, and pay vendors and suppliers for goods and services provided both before and after the filing date, which were approved on a final basis for wages and interim basis for vendors on December 22, 2022. Pursuant to the First Day Motions, the Bankruptcy Court authorized us to conduct our business activities in the ordinary course, including, among other things and subject to the terms and conditions of such orders: continue to operate our cash management system and honor certain prepetition obligations related thereto; maintain existing business forms; continue to perform intercompany transactions; obtain super priority administrative expense status for post-petition intercompany balances; pay certain prepetition claims of critical vendors, lien claimants and section 503(b)(9) of the Bankruptcy Code claimants in the ordinary course of business on a post-petition basis; pay prepetition employee wages, salaries, other compensation and reimbursable employee expenses and continue employee benefits programs; pay obligations under prepetition insurance policies, continue to pay certain brokerage fees; renew, supplement, modify or purchase insurance coverage; maintain our surety bond program; and pay certain prepetition taxes and fees.
Original DIP Credit Agreement and Restructuring Support Agreement
In connection with the Chapter 11 Cases, the Debtors entered into the Original DIP Credit Agreement, with Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as administrative agent, and the Original DIP Lenders.
Also in connection with the filing of the Chapter 11 Cases, the Company entered into a Restructuring Support Agreement with the Ad Hoc Noteholder Group pursuant to which the Ad Hoc Noteholder Group agreed to provide commitments for the Original DIP Facility of more than $57 million and agreed to support the syndication of up to an additional $18 million in new money DIP (defined below) facility loans to all holders of convertible notes. The Company terminated the Restructuring Support Agreement pursuant to a “fiduciary out” which permitted the Company to pursue better alternatives.
Replacement DIP Credit Agreement
Proceeds of the Replacement DIP Facility were used to, among other things, repay amounts outstanding under the Original DIP Facility, including payment of all fees and expenses required to be paid under the terms of the Original DIP Facility. These funds, along with ongoing cash generated from operations, were anticipated to provide the necessary financing to effectuate the planned restructuring, facilitate the emergence from Chapter 11, and cover the fees and expenses of legal and financial advisors.
The Replacement DIP Facility, among other things, provides for a non-amortizing super-priority senior secured term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $70 million. Under the Replacement DIP Facility, (i) $35 million was made available following Bankruptcy Court approval of the Interim DIP Order and (ii) $35 million was made available following Bankruptcy Court approval of the Final DIP Order. Loans under the Replacement DIP Facility will bear interest at a rate of 10%, which will be payable in kind in arrears on the first day of each calendar month. The Administrative Agent received an upfront payment equal to 3.5% of the aggregate commitments under the Replacement DIP Facility on February 3, 2023, payable in kind, and the Replacement DIP Lender will receive an exit premium equal to 5% of the amount of the loans being repaid, reduced or satisfied, payable in cash. The Replacement DIP Credit Agreement includes representations and warranties, covenants applicable to the Debtors, and events of default. If an event of default under the Replacement DIP Credit Agreement occurs, the Administrative Agent may, among other things, permanently reduce any remaining commitments and declare the outstanding obligations under the Replacement DIP Credit Agreement to be immediately due and payable.
The maturity date of the Replacement DIP Credit Agreement is December 22, 2023, which can be extended, under certain conditions, by an additional three months to March 22, 2024. The Replacement DIP Credit Agreement will also terminate on the date that is the earliest of the following (i) the effective date of any Chapter 11 plan of reorganization with respect to the Borrowers (as defined in the Replacement DIP Credit Agreement) or any other Debtor; (ii) the consummation of any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Debtors pursuant to section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code; (iii) the date of the acceleration of the Loans and the termination of the Commitments (whether automatically, or upon any Event of Default or as otherwise provided in the Replacement DIP Credit Agreement); and (iv) conversion of the Chapter 11 Cases into cases under chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code.
On March 1, 2023, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order approving the Replacement DIP Facility on a final basis and the terms under which the Debtors are authorized to use the cash collateral of the holders of their convertible notes (the “Final DIP Order”).
Related Party Transactions
We have agreements to provide hosting services to various entities that are managed and invested in by individuals who are directors and executives of Core Scientific. For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, we recognized hosting revenue from the contracts with these entities of $3.7 million and $5.9 million, respectively. In addition, for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, we recognized equipment sales revenue of nil and $25.9 million, respectively, from these entities. A nominal amount was receivable from these entities as of March 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022.
Core Scientific reimburses certain of its officers and directors for use of a personal aircraft for flights taken on Company business. For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, we incurred reimbursements of nil and $0.5 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, there was no reimbursements payable.
Foreign Currency and Exchange Risk
The vast majority of our cash generated from revenue is denominated in U.S. dollars.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Critical accounting policies and estimates are those accounting policies and estimates that are both the most important to the portrayal of our net assets and results of operations and require the most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. These estimates are developed based on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Critical accounting estimates are accounting estimates where the nature of the estimates are material due to the levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain matters or the susceptibility of such matters to change and the impact of the estimates on financial condition or operating performance is material.
Preparation of our unaudited consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of certain assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, as well as related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. There have been no material changes to the critical accounting policies and estimates during the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to those disclosed in our “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” audited consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, which was filed with the SEC on April 3, 2023.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
For a discussion of new accounting standards relevant to our business, refer to Note 2─Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Emerging Growth Company
We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. We may take advantage of certain exemptions from various public company reporting requirements, including not being required to have our internal control over financial reporting audited by our independent registered public accounting firm under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements and exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and any golden parachute payments. We may take advantage of these exemptions for up to five years or until we are no longer an emerging growth company, whichever is earlier. In addition, the JOBS Act provides that an “emerging growth company” can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until those standards apply to private companies. We have elected to use the extended transition period under the JOBS Act. Accordingly, our financial statements may not be comparable to the financial statements of public companies that comply with such new or revised accounting standards.
We will remain an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act until the earliest of (a) February 12, 2026, the fifth anniversary of XPDI’s initial public offering, (b) the last date of our fiscal year in which we have a total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, (c) the date on which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” under the rules of the SEC with at least $700.0 million of outstanding securities held by non-affiliates or (d) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the previous three years.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
The following discussion about our market risk exposures involves forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in our forward-looking statements. For more information regarding the forward-looking statements used in this section and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, see the cautionary note regarding Forward-Looking Statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.
Risk Regarding the Price of Bitcoin
Our business and development strategy is focused on maintaining and expanding our bitcoin mining operations to maximize the amount of new bitcoin rewards we earn. As of March 31, 2023, we held no bitcoin. As of December 31, 2022, we held 43.55 bitcoin, with a carrying value of $0.7 million, all of which were produced from our bitcoin mining operations.
Quoted prices, including intraday low prices, are collected and utilized in impairment testing and measurement on a daily basis. To the extent that an impairment loss is recognized, the loss establishes the new cost basis of the digital asset. Subsequent reversal of impairment losses is not permitted. See discussion under the heading “Impairment of digital assets” under Part I - Item 2. -Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of this Quarterly Report for further information.
We cannot accurately predict the future market price of bitcoin and, as such, we cannot accurately predict whether we will record impairment of the book value of our bitcoin assets. The future value of bitcoin will affect revenue from our operations, and any future impairment of the value of the bitcoin we mine and hold for our account would be reported in our financial statements and results of operations as charges against net income, which could have a material adverse effect on the market price for our securities.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, have evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) prior to the filing of this quarterly report.
Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, certain of our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective at the reasonable assurance level as of March 31, 2023, due to the following material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting.
i.The Company did not design and implement program change management controls for certain financially relevant systems to ensure that IT program and data changes affecting the Company’s (i) financial IT applications, (ii) digital currency mining equipment, and (iii) underlying accounting records, are identified, tested, authorized and implemented appropriately to validate that data produced by its relevant IT system(s) and were complete and accurate. Automated process-level controls and manual controls that are dependent upon the information derived from such financially relevant systems were also determined to be ineffective as a result of such deficiency.
ii.The Company did not design and/or implement user access controls to ensure appropriate segregation of duties that would adequately restrict user and privileged access to the financially relevant systems and data to the appropriate Company personnel.
iii.The Company’s internal controls over financial reporting did not operate effectively at all times to ensure transactions were recorded timely and in accordance with GAAP. Appropriate segregation of duties was also not maintained at all times during the period covered by this quarterly report.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Other than the ongoing remediation efforts described below, during the most recently completed fiscal quarter, there was no change in Core Scientific, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Remediation Efforts to Address Disclosed Material Weakness
Our management, with oversight from our audit committee, has taken steps to implement the following remediation actions to address the previously disclosed material weaknesses and to improve our internal control over financial reporting, primarily through: | | | | | | | | |
| • | increasing the depth and experience within our accounting and finance organization; |
| • | enhancing the communication and coordination among our accounting and financial reporting department and expanded cross-functional involvement and input into period-end disclosures; and |
| • | implementing additional internal reporting procedures, including enhancing the analytical procedures used to assess period-end balances, to add depth to our review process and improve our segregation of duties. |
During the quarter ended March 31, 2023, we continued to assess the design of existing controls and implement new controls as needed to remediate the previously identified material weakness. We have yet to complete the testing and evaluation of the design and operating effectiveness of controls which are actively in process.
Limitations on Controls
Our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Our management recognizes that any control system, no matter how well designed and operated, is based upon certain judgments and assumptions and cannot provide absolute assurance that its objectives will be met. Similarly, an evaluation of controls cannot provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected.
Part II - Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we are involved in various legal proceedings arising from the normal course of business activities. Defending such proceedings is costly and can impose a significant burden on management and employees. We may receive unfavorable preliminary or interim rulings in the course of litigation, and there can be no assurances that favorable final outcomes will be obtained.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any litigation pending against us and any claims that could be asserted against us that arose prior to December 21, 2022, (subject to certain exceptions) are automatically stayed as a result of the commencement of the Chapter 11 Cases pursuant to Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, subject to certain statutory exceptions.
Please refer to the discussion contained in Note 3 — Chapter 11 Filing and Other Related Matters and Note 8 — Commitments and Contingencies.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes to the risk factors set forth in Part I, Item 1A., “Risk Factors,” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year December 31, 2022, which was filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on April 4, 2023.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
None.
Item 5. Other Information
None.
Item 6. Exhibits
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Exhibit No. | Exhibit Description | | Filed Herewith |
2.1†† | | | |
2.2†† | | | |
2.3†† | | | |
3.1 | | | |
3.2 | | | |
10.1 | | | |
10.2 | | | |
31.1 | | | X |
31.2 | | | X |
32.1 | | | X |
32.2 | | | X |
101.INS | XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. | | |
101.SCH | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. | | X |
101.CAL | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. | | X |
101.DEF | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. | | X |
101.LAB | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. | | X |
101.PRE | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase. | | X |
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (the cover page XBRL tags) | | |
___________
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†† | Certain of the exhibits and schedules to these exhibits have been omitted in accordance with Regulation S-K Item 601(a)(5). The registrant agrees to furnish a copy of all omitted exhibits and schedules to the SEC upon its request. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| | | | | | | | |
| CORE SCIENTIFIC, INC. |
| | |
Date: May 12, 2023 | By: | /s/ Denise Sterling |
| | Denise Sterling |
| | Chief Financial Officer |
| | (Duly Authorized Officer & Principal Financial Officer) |