SHENZHEN, China, May 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- BIT Mining Limited (NYSE: BTCM) ("BIT Mining," "the Company," "we," "us," "our company," or "our"), a leading cryptocurrency mining enterprise, today reported its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021.

Cryptocurrency Business Progress

BIT Mining Limited has completed the transition of its business to an enterprise that covers cryptocurrency mining, mining pool, and data center operation.

As of today, we have deployed 50,113 mining machines. The theoretical maximum total hash rate capacity of such mining machines is about 1,031.5 PH/s, and we currently produce approximately 4 bitcoins each day. As of April 30, 2021, we have produced approximately 110 bitcoins, equivalent to revenue of approximately RMB40.6 million (US$6.2 million). As of today, we have produced approximately 147 bitcoins, equivalent to revenue of approximately RMB54.4 million (US$8.3 million). We currently own approximately 489 bitcoins, including the 356.04342 bitcoins that we received from the private placement of our Class A ordinary shares to Good Luck Information Technology Co., Limited.

On March 31, 2021, we completed our subscription for shares of Loto Interactive Limited (HKEX: 08198) ("Loto Interactive") which we refer to as our data center business, our ownership of Loto Interactive thereby increased to 54.2%, and Loto Interactive became a subsidiary of our company. As a result, the Company consolidated Loto Interactive on March 31, 2021. The three hydroelectric cryptocurrency data centers owned by Loto Interactive have an aggregate gross area of over 18,000 square meters and a total power capacity of 435WM. Such data centers could provide data analysis and storage services for up to 225,000 data processors at the same time. From April 1, 2021 to April 30, 2021, revenue generated from our data center business was RMB28.3 million (US$4.3 million).

We also completed our acquisition of the entire mining pool business of Bitdeer Technologies Holding Company operated under BTC.com, including the domain name BTC.com and the cryptocurrency wallet of BTC.com (collectively, the "BTC.com Pool Businesses"). From April 1, 2021 to April 30, 2021, the gross profit of the BTC.com Pool Businesses was RMB 55.3 million (US$8.4 million).

All of the BTC and ETH mining machines that we have purchased are expected to be deployed by the end of 2021. Assuming full delivery, our theoretical maximum total BTC hash rate capacity will increase to approximately 2,000 PH/s, and our theoretical maximum total ETH hash rate capacity will increase to approximately 4,800 GH/s.

We also have entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a 7-nanometer cryptocurrency mining machine manufacturer, Bee Computing (HK) Limited, to complete our vertical integration with our supply chain, increase our self-sufficiency while also strengthening our competitive position.

First Quarter 2021 Highlights

Net revenues were RMB19.6 million (US$3.0 million) in the first quarter of 2021, representing a significant increase of RMB10.6 million or 117.8% from RMB9.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2020, and a sharp increase of RMB16.5 million or 532.3% from RMB3.1 million for the first quarter of 2020. Net revenues during the first quarter of 2021 primarily consisted of RMB11.8 million (US$1.8 million) in revenue contribution from our cryptocurrency mining business that we initiated on February 27, 2021, which accounted for 60.2% of total net revenues.

Operating loss was RMB16.5 million (US$2.5 million) in the first quarter of 2021, representing a significant decrease of RMB34.9 million or 67.9% from RMB51.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2020, and a significant decrease of RMB20.3 million or 55.2% from RMB36.8 million for the first quarter of 2020.

Non-GAAP[1] operating loss was RMB16.2 million (US$2.5 million) in the first quarter of 2021, representing a significant decrease of RMB16.2 million or 50.0% from RMB32.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2020, and a significant decrease of RMB15.5 million or 48.9% from RMB31.7 million for the first quarter of 2020.

Net income attributable to BIT Mining was RMB13.2 million (US$2.0 million) in the first quarter of 2021, as compared with net loss attributable to BIT Mining of RMB56.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2020, and net loss attributable to BIT Mining of RMB36.8 million for the first quarter of 2020.

Non-GAAP net loss attributable to BIT Mining was RMB22.8 million (US$3.5 million) in the first quarter of 2021, representing a decrease of RMB14.7 million or 39.2% from RMB37.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2020, and a decrease of RMB12.5 million or 35.4% from RMB35.3 million for the first quarter of 2020.

First Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Net Revenues

Net revenues were RMB19.6 million (US$3.0 million) for the first quarter of 2021, which nearly equals our net revenues for the full year 2020, representing a sharp increase of RMB16.5 million or 532.3% from RMB3.1 million for the first quarter of 2020 and a significant increase of RMB10.6 million or 117.8% from RMB9.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. The year-over-year and sequential increase were mainly attributable to our cryptocurrency mining business initiated at the end of February 2021.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses were RMB36.3 million (US$5.5 million) for the first quarter of 2021, representing a decrease of RMB7.7 million or 17.5% from RMB44.0 million for the first quarter of 2020, and a significant decrease of RMB24.6 million or 40.4% from RMB60.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to a decrease of RMB5.3 million in expenses for employees as a result of decreases in headcount, a decrease of RMB4.9 million in share-based compensation expenses associated with share options granted to the Company's directors and employees, a decrease of RMB4.1 million in rental expenses mainly resulting from the partial termination of our office lease in Shenzhen, and a decrease of RMB3.1 million in depreciation mainly associated with leasehold improvements for the partial termination of our office lease in Shenzhen, which were partially offset by an increase of RMB5.4 million in consulting expenses, an increase of RMB2.4 million in server hosting expenses associated with cryptocurrency mining business, an increase of RMB0.7 million in marketing and promotional expenses, and an increase of RMB0.7 million in lottery insurance costs for The Multi Group, or TMG. The sequential decrease was mainly due to a decrease of RMB18.8 million in share-based compensation expenses associated with share options granted to the Company's directors and employees and a decrease of RMB13.7 million in expenses for employees as a result of decreases in headcount, which were partially offset by an increase of RMB3.9 million in consulting expenses, an increase of RMB2.6 million in server hosting expenses associated with cryptocurrency mining business, and an increase of RMB1.0 million in depreciation associated with cryptocurrency mining machines.

Cost of services was RMB8.5 million (US$1.3 million) for the first quarter of 2021, representing an increase of RMB4.5 million or 112.5% from RMB4.0 million for the first quarter of 2020, and an increase of RMB4.1 million or 93.2% from RMB4.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. The year-over-year increase was mainly attributable to an increase of RMB2.4 million in server hosting expenses associated with cryptocurrency mining business, an increase of RMB1.0 million in depreciation associated with cryptocurrency mining machines, and an increase of RMB0.7 million in lottery insurance costs for TMG. The sequential increase was mainly attributable to an increase of RMB2.6 million in server hosting expenses associated with cryptocurrency mining business and an increase of RMB1.1 million in depreciation associated with cryptocurrency mining machines.

Sales and marketing expenses were RMB2.5 million (US$0.4 million) for the first quarter of 2021, representing a decrease of RMB0.5 million or 16.7% from RMB3.0 million for the first quarter of 2020, and a decrease of RMB2.1 million or 45.7% from RMB4.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. The sequential decrease was mainly due to a decrease of RMB1.8 million in expenses for employees and a decrease of RMB0.6 million in share-based compensation expenses associated with share options granted to the Company's directors and employees.

General and administrative expenses were RMB22.6 million (US$3.4 million) for the first quarter of 2021, representing a decrease of RMB7.3 million or 24.4% from RMB29.9 million for the first quarter of 2020, and a decrease of RMB18.3 million or 44.7% from RMB40.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to a decrease of RMB4.0 million in depreciation mainly associated with leasehold improvements for the partial termination of our office lease in Shenzhen, a decrease of RMB3.9 million in share-based compensation expenses associated with share options granted to the Company's directors and employees, a decrease of RMB2.7 million in rental expenses mainly resulting from the partial termination of our office lease in Shenzhen, and a decrease of RMB2.4 million in expenses for employees as a result of decreases in headcount, which were partially offset by an increase of RMB5.4 million in consulting expenses. The sequential decrease was mainly due to a decrease of RMB16.6 million in share-based compensation expenses associated with share options granted to the Company's directors and employees and a decrease of RMB5.3 million in expenses for employees as a result of decreases in headcount, which were partially offset by an increase of RMB3.9 million in consulting expenses.

Service development expenses were RMB2.7 million (US$0.4 million) for the first quarter of 2021, representing a decrease of RMB4.4 million or 62.0% from RMB7.1 million for the first quarter of 2020, and a decrease of RMB8.4 million or 75.7% from RMB11.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to a decrease of RMB2.1 million in expenses for employees as a result of decreases in headcount, a decrease of RMB1.4 million in rental expenses mainly resulting from the partial termination of our office lease in Shenzhen, and a decrease of RMB0.8 million in share-based compensation expenses associated with share options granted to the Company's directors and employees. The sequential decrease was mainly due to a decrease of RMB6.6 million in expenses for employees as a result of decreases in headcount and a decrease of RMB1.7 million in share-based compensation expenses associated with share options granted to the Company's directors and employees.

Operating Loss

Operating loss was RMB16.5 million (US$2.5 million) for the first quarter of 2021, compared with operating loss of RMB36.8 million for the first quarter of 2020, and operating loss of RMB51.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to (i) an increase of RMB16.5 million in revenue, which was mainly attributable to the cryptocurrency mining business initiated at the end of February 2021, and (ii) a decrease of RMB7.7 million in operating expenses due to cost reduction measures implemented by management. The sequential decrease was mainly due to (i) an increase of RMB10.6 million in revenue, which was mainly attributable to the cryptocurrency mining business initiated at the end of February 2021, and (ii) a decrease of RMB24.6 million in operating expenses due to cost reduction measures implemented by management.

Non-GAAP operating loss was RMB16.2 million (US$2.5 million) for the first quarter of 2021, compared with non-GAAP operating loss of RMB31.7 million for the first quarter of 2020, and non-GAAP operating loss of RMB32.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to an increase of RMB16.5 million in revenue, which was mainly attributable to the cryptocurrency mining business initiated at the end of February 2021. The sequential decrease was mainly due to (i) an increase of RMB10.6 million in revenue, which was mainly attributable to the cryptocurrency mining business initiated at the end of February 2021, and (ii) a decrease of RMB5.8 million in Non-GAAP operating expenses due to cost reduction measures implemented by management.

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to BIT Mining

Net income attributable to BIT Mining was RMB13.2 million (US$2.0 million) for the first quarter of 2021, compared with net loss attributable to BIT Mining of RMB36.8 million for the first quarter of 2020, and net loss attributable to BIT Mining of RMB56.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. The year-over-year increase in net income attributable to BIT Mining was mainly due to (i) an increase of RMB16.5 million in revenue, which was mainly attributable to the cryptocurrency mining business initiated at the end of February 2021, and (ii) an increase of RMB36.1 million in gain on previously-held equity interest in Loto Interactive as a result of re-measurement of the previously-held equity interest in Loto Interactive at the acquisition date fair value on March 31, 2021. The sequential increase in net income attributable to BIT Mining was mainly due to (i) an increase of RMB10.6 million in revenue, which was mainly attributable to the cryptocurrency mining business initiated at the end of February 2021, (ii) a decrease of RMB24.6 million in operating expenses due to cost reduction measures implemented by management, and (iii) an increase of RMB36.1 million in gain on previously-held equity interest in Loto Interactive as a result of re-measurement of the previously-held equity interest in Loto Interactive at the acquisition date fair value on March 31, 2021.

Non-GAAP net loss attributable to BIT Mining was RMB22.8 million (US$3.5 million) for the first quarter of 2021, compared with non-GAAP net loss attributable to BIT Mining of RMB35.3 million for the first quarter of 2020, and non-GAAP net loss attributable to BIT Mining of RMB37.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2020. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to an increase of RMB16.5 million in revenue, which was mainly attributable to the cryptocurrency mining business initiated at the end of February 2021. The sequential decrease was mainly due to (i) an increase of RMB10.6 million in revenue, which was mainly attributable to the cryptocurrency mining business initiated at the end of February 2021, and (ii) a decrease of RMB5.8 million in Non-GAAP operating expenses due to cost reduction measures implemented by management.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

As of March 31, 2021, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of RMB173.4 million (US$26.5 million) and restricted cash[2] of RMB309.8 million (US$47.3 million), compared with cash and cash equivalents of RMB308.7 million and restricted cash of RMB3.8 million as of December 31, 2020.

Accounts receivable

As of March 31, 2021, the Company had accounts receivable of RMB20.1 million (US$3.1 million), which primarily represents service fees receivable from the clients of Loto Interactive.

Cryptocurrency assets

As of March 31, 2021, the Company had cryptocurrency assets of RMB134.6 million (US$20.5 million), the equivalent of 378 bitcoins, including those received from the private placement in February 2021 and those generated from the cryptocurrency mining business initiated at the end of February 2021.

Prepayments and Other Current Assets

As of March 31, 2021, the balance of prepayment and other current assets was RMB93.7 million (US$14.3 million), compared with RMB23.0 million as of December 31, 2020. The balance as of March 31, 2021 mainly included: (i) the current portion of deferred expenses of RMB3.0 million (US$0.5 million); (ii) receivables from third party payment providers of RMB3.4 million (US$0.5 million); (iii) deposit receivables of RMB24.6 million (US$3.8 million); (iv) deductible value-added input tax of RMB40.0 million (US$6.1 million); and (v) other receivables of RMB22.7 million (US$3.4 million).

About BIT Mining Limited

BIT Mining Limited (NYSE: BTCM) is a leading cryptocurrency mining company, with a long-term strategy to create value across the cryptocurrency industry. Its business covers cryptocurrency mining, mining pool, and data center operation. The Company has deployed bitcoin mining machines with a theoretical maximum total hash rate capacity of approximately 1,031.5 PH/s, owns three hydroelectric cryptocurrency data centers with a total power capacity of 435MW and owns the entire mining pool business operated under BTC.com, including the domain name BTC.com and the cryptocurrency wallet of BTC.com. The Company has also entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a 7-nanometer cryptocurrency mining machine manufacturer, Bee Computing (HK) Limited, to complete its vertical integration with its supply chain, increase its self-sufficiency while also strengthening its competitive position.
 

BIT Mining Limited