Key Highlights
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Mara Holdings possesses over 52,850 Bitcoins valued at $6.59 billion, constituting 86% of the company’s overall market value.
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Once known as Marathon Digital Holdings, the company has transitioned from solely Bitcoin mining to include data centers and energy production, paving the way for diversification in revenue streams.
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Instead of serving as a replacement for Bitcoin in your investment portfolio, Mara is more effective as a complementary asset for broader cryptocurrency exposure.
- Here are 10 stocks we prefer over Mara Holdings ›
Imagine an opportunity to enhance your Bitcoin gains while investing in a legitimate business with tangible assets, revenue, and financial statements you can examine. This viable alternative for engaging with the Bitcoin market actually exists.
While many are fixated on Bitcoin’s price reaching $125,000, discerning investors might find greater value in Mara Holdings (NASDAQ: MARAa). This is not a Bitcoin opposition but rather a pursuit of superior returns, coupled with a minimal safety net against risks. Sometimes, the smartest way to capitalise on a trend is by owning the enabler, not just participating in it.
Mara Holdings: More Than Just Bitcoin Mining
You may recognize Mara Holdings as the former Marathon Digital Holdings, a company primarily focused on Bitcoin mining. The rebranding aimed to differentiate it from other entities sharing the “Marathon” name, particularly the large energy firm Marathon Petroleum. By restructuring, Mara focused on balancing its operations between crypto mining, data centers, and energy production.
“We are more than just a Bitcoin treasury company,” Mara declared in its Q2 2025 report. Significant investments in data center technology and energy generation have led to a shift in its business strategy.
Bitcoin Remains the Market Leader
On the other hand, Bitcoin remains the gold standard in the cryptocurrency world. It is the oldest and most valuable digital currency, boasting a market cap of $2.48 trillion. Designed to securely hold and transfer value, only 21 million Bitcoins will ever exist, with 94.9% already circulating.
While the crypto market is notoriously volatile, Bitcoin has consistently maintained its position as the leader and is expected to remain so. Critics may argue against Bitcoin’s necessity or suggest alternatives, but for now, Bitcoin-related assets are sensible additions to long-term diversified portfolios.
Should Bitcoin Be Your Main Focus Over Mara?
My personal investment strategy includes both options, though my investment in Mara remains a small fraction of my Bitcoin exposure. This seems prudent for the current market scenario.
While Mara’s efforts to diversify may provide stability over time, its foundational investments in Bitcoin mining could yield higher returns than merely holding Bitcoin. However, Mara’s diversification is still in its infancy and may face challenges, especially during a crypto winter.
Is Investing $1,000 in Mara Holdings a Smart Move Right Now?
Before you consider buying stock in Mara Holdings, keep in mind that the Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team has just spotlighted what they believe to be the 10 best stocks to buy now… excluding Mara Holdings. The stocks included could present impressive returns in the years ahead.
For example, if you had invested $1,000 in Netflix when it made this list on December 17, 2004, it would now be worth around $627,363! Similarly, if you had invested in Nvidia on April 15, 2005, your $1,000 would have grown to approximately $1,137,335!
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*Stock Advisor returns as of October 7, 2025.
Anders Bylund is invested in Bitcoin and Mara. The Motley Fool is also invested in and recommends Bitcoin. Read our disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
