--- title: MARA Holdings Acquires $1.5 Billion Gas Plant in Ohio, Plans AI Data Center canonical: https://mining-provider.com/mara-holdings-acquires-1-5-billion-gas-plant-in-ohio-plans-ai-data-center/ author: Mining Provider Editorial Staff published: 2026-05-01 updated: 2026-05-01 language: en category: News description: MARA Holdings has signed a $1.5 billion deal to acquire Long Ridge Energy, boosting its capacity and planning an AI data center by 2028. Meanwhile, major tech firms are set to invest $650 billion in AI infrastructure by 2026, impacting the cryptocurrency sector significantly. source: Provimedia GmbH --- # MARA Holdings Acquires $1.5 Billion Gas Plant in Ohio, Plans AI Data Center > **Autor:** Mining Provider Editorial Staff | **Veröffentlicht:** 2026-05-01 **Zusammenfassung:** MARA Holdings has signed a $1.5 billion deal to acquire Long Ridge Energy, boosting its capacity and planning an AI data center by 2028. Meanwhile, major tech firms are set to invest $650 billion in AI infrastructure by 2026, impacting the cryptocurrency sector significantly. --- ## MARA Holdings Signs $1.5 Billion Deal for Gas Power Plant in Ohio and Plans AI Data Center MARA Holdings, Inc. has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Long Ridge Energy & Power LLC from FTAI Infrastructure Inc. for approximately $1.5 billion. This acquisition will add a 505-MW gas power plant and over 1,600 acres in Hannibal, Ohio, to MARA's portfolio. The deal is expected to increase MARA's total capacity by 65% to 2.2 GW, with plans to launch an AI data center by mid-2028. The transaction will also allow MARA to take on at least $785 million in existing debt, secured by a senior secured bridge loan from Barclays. > "The site can be scaled to a potential total capacity of over 1 GW," MARA stated, highlighting the future growth potential of the facility. In summary, MARA Holdings is significantly expanding its energy and data center capabilities through this strategic acquisition, which is projected to enhance its operational capacity and revenue streams. ## Big Tech's Multi-Billion Dollar AI Investments Remain on Track The four MAG-7 giants—Microsoft, Alphabet, Meta, and Amazon—reported their quarterly earnings, indicating they are on track to invest a total of $650 billion in AI infrastructure by 2026. This marks the largest capital expenditure in corporate history. Despite some fluctuations in stock prices following the earnings reports, the companies continue to emphasize their commitment to AI. Microsoft reported a revenue of $82.9 billion for Q3 2026, exceeding expectations, while Alphabet's revenue reached $109.9 billion, also surpassing forecasts. These investments are expected to have significant implications for the cryptocurrency sector, particularly for Bitcoin miners who are increasingly pivoting towards hosting AI computing resources. In conclusion, the ongoing investments by major tech companies in AI infrastructure signal a robust future for both the tech and cryptocurrency sectors, as they adapt to evolving market demands. ## Tether Investments Proposes Comprehensive Bitcoin Merger for XXI and Strike Tether Investments has announced a strategic plan to transform Twenty-One Capital through proposed mergers with Strike and Elektron Energy. This merger aims to create an integrated Bitcoin giant, with Elektron Energy's 50 EH/s mining fleet capturing 5% of the global Bitcoin network. The proposed deal would position the new XXI under the leadership of Raphael Zagury, focusing on expanding Bitcoin acquisition strategies and financial services. Tether's backing of this merger reflects a strong commitment to enhancing the Bitcoin ecosystem. > "This integration is expected to create a leading publicly traded Bitcoin company," Tether emphasized, highlighting the potential for significant market impact. In summary, the proposed merger between Tether, XXI, and Strike represents a significant move towards vertical integration in the Bitcoin industry, potentially reshaping the landscape of digital asset services. Sources: - [Bitcoin-Miner MARA Holdings unterzeichnet Vertrag über 1,5 Mrd. US-Dollar für Gaskraftwerk in Ohio und plant KI-Rechenzentrum](https://news.bitcoin.com/de/bitcoin-miner-mara-holdings-unterzeichnet-vertrag-uber-1-5-mrd-us-dollar-fur-gaskraftwerk-in-ohio-und-plant-ki-rechenzentrum/) - [Technologiekonzerne setzen verstärkt auf KI, da die Gewinnberichte Wachstumserfolge und steigende Kosten offenbaren](https://www.coindesk.com/de/markets/2026/04/29/big-tech-s-multi-billion-dollar-ai-bets-are-still-on-track-as-mag-7-giants-report-earnings) - [Tether Investments schlägt eine umfassende Bitcoin-Fusion für XXI und Strike vor](https://news.bitcoin.com/de/tether-investments-schlaegt-eine-umfassende-bitcoin-fusion-fuer-xxi-und-strike-vor/) --- *Dieser Artikel wurde ursprünglich veröffentlicht auf [mining-provider.com](https://mining-provider.com/mara-holdings-acquires-1-5-billion-gas-plant-in-ohio-plans-ai-data-center/)* *© 2026 Provimedia GmbH*