Fortitude Bets Big on Bitmain Zcash Miners for 2027 Rollout

Fortitude Mining has taken a significant step toward expanding its zcash (ZEC) mining operations. The company signed a non-binding agreement with Bitmain to secure up to $100 million worth of next-generation zcash mining hardware, with shipments expected to begin in Q2 2027. This deal highlights Fortitude's ambitious plans to scale its zcash mining capabilities, marking a notable departure from the industry's focus on bitcoin mining.

Fortitude already operates 4.7 GSol/s of Equihash hashrate and has over 60 megawatts of power capacity across multiple locations. CEO Jaime Leverton emphasized the company's goal to become the largest vertically-integrated zcash mining platform. Early access to Bitmain’s upcoming hardware is expected to enhance efficiency and support Fortitude's expansion plans.

To finance this potential purchase, Fortitude is leveraging its credit facility with Digital Currency Group (DCG), which has increased its commitment from $50 million to $70 million. The Bitmain agreement requires a refundable $20 million deposit, which Fortitude plans to borrow from DCG. The company recently borrowed 5,790 ZEC, valued at approximately $8.4 million, and liquidated the position for about $8.3 million.

The mining expansion coincides with Fortitude's plans to go public through a business combination with Heartsciences, listed on Nasdaq under the ticker HSCS. This strategic move aims to provide access to public capital markets, supporting the company's broader mining infrastructure and zcash operations. The focus on zcash mining sets Fortitude apart in an industry dominated by bitcoin.