Gryphon Digital Mining Receives First Sustainable Bitcoin Mining Certification

By Cindi Choi.
Updated May 31, 2023

NEW YORK (PRWEB) May 31, 2023 - Gryphon Digital Mining ('Gryphon' or the 'Company'), is pleased to announce that it has been certified as the first sustainable Bitcoin mining company by Energy Web, an independent non-profit that develops open-source software for clean energy solutions. This certification, known as Green Proofs for Bitcoin(GP4BTC), is a first-of-its-kind initiative to establish an independent, standardized energy measurement system for the Bitcoin mining industry and represents over two years of collaborative work between Gryphon, Energy Web, and some of the worlds largest asset managers and clean energy research organizations.

This first-of-its-kind sustainability certificate is expected to set an industry standard, demonstrating leadership in the net zero and carbon negative strategy that Gryphon has been working toward since its founding. This demonstrates yet another step forward in Gryphons goal to lead the industry as a carbon neutral bitcoin miner.

'Focusing on our ESG-led strategy and choosing green energy as opposed to fossil-fuel based power sources has been our focus since day one. The opportunity to be a technical advisor to Energy Webs Green Proofs for Bitcoin initiative has been an honor and supports our next steps in corporate social responsibility and environmental impact, said Rob Chang, CEO of Gryphon.

'We were proud to feature Gryphon in the founding cohort of GP4BTC-certified miners,' said Amy Westervelt, Project Lead for Green Proofs for Bitcoin, 'Gryphon's commitment to sustainability and its contributions to GP4BTC have been instrumental in advancing the mining industry in its decarbonization journey.'

This landmark certification provides Gryphon with proof of its sustainability and ESG efforts as it takes next steps in its merger process with Akerna Corp. (Akerna) (Nasdaq: KERN) in an all-stock deal.

Gryphon will merge with Akerna by way of an Agreement and Plan of Merger to create a leading, ESG-committed, carbon-neutral bitcoin miner. Upon completion of the merger, Akerna will change its name to Gryphon Digital Mining, Inc. The merger is expected to provide Akerna shareholders with access to the bitcoin mining industry with one of its premier operators.

Investors can learn more about Gryphon by visiting https://gryphondigitalmining.com/ and following it on Twitter @GryphonMining.

About Gryphon Digital Mining, Inc.

Gryphon Digital Mining, Inc. is an innovative venture in the bitcoin space dedicated to helping bring digital assets onto the clean energy grid. With a talented leadership team coming from globally recognized brands, Gryphon is assembling thought leaders to improve digital asset network infrastructure. Its Bitcoin mining operation has a net carbon negative strategy. More information is available on https://gryphondigitalmining.com/.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

This communication may be deemed to be solicitation material with respect to the proposed transactions between Akerna and Gryphon and between Akerna and MJ Acquisition Co. In connection with the proposed transactions, Akerna has filed relevant materials with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, including a registration statement on Form S-4 that contains a prospectus and a proxy statement. Akerna will mail the proxy statement/prospectus to the Akerna stockholders, and the securities may not be sold or exchanged until the registration statement becomes effective. Investors and securityholders of Akerna and Gryphon are urged to read these materials because they will contain important information about Akerna, Gryphon and the proposed transactions. This communication is not a substitute for the registration statement, definitive proxy statement/prospectus or any other documents that Akerna may file with the SEC or send to securityholders in connection with the proposed transactions. Investors and securityholders may obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC on Akernas website at http://www.akerna.com, on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov or by directing a request to Akernas Investor Relations at (516) 419-9915.

This communication is not a proxy statement or a solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the proposed transactions, and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Participants in the Solicitation

Each of Akerna, Gryphon, MJ Acquisiton Co. and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Akerna in connection with the proposed transactions. Information about the executive officers and directors of Akerna are set forth in Akernas Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A relating to the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the SEC on April 19, 2022. Other information regarding the interests of such individuals, who may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies for the stockholders of Akerna, is set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus included in Akernas registration statement on Form S-4. You may obtain free copies of these documents as described above.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements based upon the current expectations of Gryphon and Akerna. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation: (i) the risk that the conditions to the closing of the proposed transactions are not satisfied, including the failure to timely obtain stockholder approval for the transactions, if at all; (ii) uncertainties as to the timing of the consummation of the proposed transactions and the ability of each of Akerna, Gryphon and MJ Acquisition Co. to consummate the proposed merger or asset sale, as applicable; (iii) risks related to Akernas ability to manage its operating expenses and its expenses associated with the proposed transactions pending closing; (iv) risks related to the failure or delay in obtaining required approvals from any governmental or quasi-governmental entity necessary to consummate the proposed transactions; (v) the risk that as a result of adjustments to the exchange ratio, Akerna stockholders and Gryphon stockholders could own more or less of the combined company than is currently anticipated; (vi) risks related to the market price of Akernas common stock relative to the exchange ratio; (vii) unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from either or both of the proposed transactions; (viii) potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the proposed transactions; (ix) risks related to the inability of the combined company to obtain sufficient additional capital to continue to advance its business plan; and (x) risks associated with the possible failure to realize certain anticipated benefits of the proposed transactions, including with respect to future financial and operating results. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties. These and other risks and uncertainties are more fully described in periodic filings with the SEC, including the factors described in the section titled Risk Factors in Akernas Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, each filed with the SEC, and in other filings that Akerna makes and will make with the SEC in connection with the proposed transactions, including the proxy statement/prospectus described under Additional Information and Where to Find It. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are made only as of the date hereof or as of the dates indicated in the forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, Akerna and Gryphon expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based.