According to blockchain analytics firm Lookonchain, fourteen publicly listed companies have sold a total of 108,247 Bitcoin (BTC) in 2026, generating roughly $8.08 billion in proceeds. The bulk of the disposals came from two major miners – MARA Holdings and Riot Platforms – which together contributed more than half of the total volume.

BTC / USD
Source: CoinGecko. Prices are indicative.

MARA Leads Corporate Bitcoin Sales

MARA Holdings sold 40,581 BTC valued at about $3.03 billion, making it the largest corporate seller. The company disclosed that it sold 26,984 BTC for $1.9 billion during the first nine months of the year and an additional 13,597 BTC at an average price of $81,039, raising $1.1 billion. Of the latter proceeds, $750 million was used to repay Bitcoin‑backed loans, freeing 17,477 BTC that had been pledged as collateral. MARA’s debt fell by $1.4 billion – a 37% reduction – since the start of 2026, and the firm plans to continue monetising its Bitcoin holdings to fund AI infrastructure, potential share repurchases and upcoming debt obligations.

Riot Platforms Uses Bitcoin to Fuel Data‑Center Expansion

Riot Platforms disposed of 20,264 BTC for roughly $1.51 billion, according to Lookonchain. The miner said the proceeds are earmarked for its aggressive data‑center build‑out, which includes a $9.1 billion agreement for 191 MW of capacity at its Rockdale, Texas facility and a 15‑year lease for 910 MW at Corsicana. Riot ended September with 2,418 BTC (about $202 million) and $748.2 million in cash, including restricted funds, while projecting $38 billion in revenue from its contracted data‑center agreements over their initial terms.

Other Miners and the Shift Toward AI

Bitdeer Technologies, Cango, CleanSpark, Core Scientific, Empery Digital, Keel Infrastructure (formerly Bitfarms), Hut 8 Mining, HIVE Digital and several smaller firms rounded out the list, each selling between 1,000 and 11,000 BTC. Many of these companies have redirected capital toward artificial‑intelligence and high‑performance‑computing infrastructure. For example, Keel shut down its U.S. mining operations in June to reallocate power to AI workloads, selling 1,085 BTC for $75 million. An August analysis by BlocksBridge Consulting noted that nine public miners spent $5.11 billion on capital assets in the first half of 2026, while AI‑related revenue reached $341.2 million.

What to Watch Next

Investors will be monitoring whether additional miners follow MARA’s model of using Bitcoin sales to reduce debt and fund AI projects, and how the broader market reacts to the continued outflow of BTC from corporate balance sheets. Future disclosures from the listed companies on the timing and pricing of any further disposals will also be closely examined.