Core Scientific Announces Full Fiscal Year 2021 Results

March 29, 2022

Core Scientific, Inc. (NASDAQ: CORZ), a leader in high-performance, net carbon neutral blockchain infrastructure and software solutions, reported its consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.

Fiscal Year 2021 Financial Highlights (Compared to Fiscal Year 2020)

  • Total revenue increased by 803% to $544.5 million
  • Gross profit increased by 2,443% to $238.9 million
  • Net Income increased to $47.3 million
  • Adjusted EBITDA1 increased by 3,849% to $238.9 million
  • Self-mining operations increased BTC production 350% to 5,769 BTC2
  • 5,296 BTC held at year end
  • Total hashrate of 13.5 EH/s consisting of 6.6 EH/s self-mining and 6.9 EH/s hosting

“Our team produced strong results in 2021, highlighted by revenue of $544.5 million, net income of $47.3 million and adjusted EBITDA of $238.9 million,” said Mike Levitt, Core Scientific Chief Executive Officer. “Our total hashrate increased from less than 3.0 EH/s at year end 2020 to 13.5 EH/s at year end 2021. This market-leading growth generated over 5,700 self-mined bitcoins in 2021. In the first two months of 2022 our total hashrate grew to 15.9 EH/s and we self-mined over 2,000 bitcoins. Across our business we are executing our plans effectively and remain well positioned to continue expanding our capacity and creating shareholder value.”

FISCAL YEAR 2021 FULL YEAR FINANCIAL RESULTS

Total revenue increased by $484.2 million or 803%, to $544.5 million in 2021 from $60.3 million in 2020.

Total hosting revenue increased by $37.7 million, or 91%, to $79.3 million in 2021 from $41.6 million in 2020. The increase was driven by the execution of new customer hosting contracts for miners deployed during the year ended December 31, 2021.

Total equipment sales increased by $235.6 million, or 1,871%, to $248.2 million in 2021 from $12.6 million in 2020. The increase was driven by higher demand for new generation mining equipment.

Digital asset mining income increased by $210.8 million, or 3,440%, to $216.9 million in 2021 from $6.1 million in 2020. The year over year growth in mining income was driven by an increase in our self-mining hash rate and higher bitcoin prices. Our self-mining hash rate increased by 1,772%, to 6.6 EH/s in 2021 from 0.35 EH/s in 2020. The total number of bitcoins awarded in 2021 (excluding 1,746 of bitcoins mined by Blockcap prior to its acquisition on July 30, 2021) was 4,0233 compared to 3283 in 2020. The average price of bitcoin in 2021 was $47,437 compared to $14,357 in 2020, an improvement of 230%.

Cost of revenue increased by $254.7 million or 500%, to $305.6 million in 2021 from $50.9 million in 2020. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in the cost of equipment sold of $166.8 million, higher power consumption driven by increases in both our self-mining and hosted fleet of $53.4 million, increased depreciation expense of $21.3 million driven by the deployment of self-mining units, facilities depreciation of $1.9 million, higher personnel and facilities operating costs driven by the opening and expansion of our data centers of $7.2 million and stock-based compensation of $4.1 million. As a percentage of total revenue, cost of revenue totaled 56% and 84% for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Gross profit increased by $229.5 million, or 2,443%, to $238.9 million in 2021 from $9.4 million in 2020. The increase in gross profit was driven primarily by a $163.6 million increase in gross profit for the mining segment, which had a gross margin of 77% in 2021 compared to 51% in 2020. Also contributing to the increase in gross profit was a $65.9 million increase in gross profit for the Equipment Sales and Hosting Segment, which had a gross margin of 22% in 2021 compared to 12% in 2020, driven by higher margins on equipment sales.

Operating income increased $137.8 million to $131.5 million in 2021 from an operating loss of $6.3 million in 2020. The increase in operating income was predominantly due to the $229.5 million increase in gross profit described above, primarily offset by $46.0 million of higher general and administrative expenses, which was driven by $29.8 million of higher stock-based compensation expense, and $37.2 million of higher impairments of digital currency assets, which was driven by a change we made to our digital asset investment policy in the second half of 2021 to begin holding a more significant portion of our digital assets mined on our balance sheet.

Net income increased $59.5 million to $47.3 million in 2021 from a net loss of $12.2 million in 2020. The increase in net income was due to the $137.8 million increase in operating income described above, primarily offset by $41.3 million of non-operating expenses related to our convertible notes, consisting of $25.3 million of interest expense and $16.0 million of other fair value adjustments, a $14.6 million increase in interest expense from other financing arrangements, including a senior secured credit facility and several equipment financing agreements for which the proceeds were used to acquire self-mining equipment and to fund the build out of our hosting and self-mining facilities, and a $6.7 million increase in loss from debt extinguishments due to the payoff of senior secured loans in April 2021.

Adjusted EBITDA increased $232.9 million to $238.9 million in 2021 from $6.1 million in 2020. The increase was due to higher gross profit, excluding depreciation and amortization, partially offset by higher operating expenses, excluding share-based compensation and depreciation and amortization.

As of December 31, 2021, cash and cash equivalents were $117.9 million and restricted cash was $13.8 million.

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had a total Bitcoin balance of 5,296. The carrying value of our mined digital assets was $234.3 million, which reflects impairment charges of $37.2 million year-to-date.

OUTLOOK

In 2022, the Company expects to achieve total hashrate of between 40 EH/s and 42 EH/s, with total power between 1,200 MW and 1,300 MW.

The foregoing estimates are forward-looking and reflect management's view of current and future market conditions, subject to certain risks and uncertainties and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world. Investors are reminded that actual results may differ materially from these estimates.

DAILY PRODUCTION REPORTING

Core Scientific anticipates providing daily bitcoin production beginning early in April 2022 via www.corescientific.com.

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST

In conjunction with this release, Core Scientific, Inc. will host a conference call today, Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at 4:30 pm Eastern Time that will be webcast live. Mike Levitt, Chief Executive Officer, Michael Trzupek, Chief Financial Officer and Steven A. Gitlin, Senior Vice President Investor Relations, will host the call.

Investors may dial into the call by using the following telephone numbers, 1 (844) 200-6205 (U.S. toll-free), 1 (646) 904-5544 (U.S. local) or 1 (929) 526-1599 (international) and providing the access code 892840 five to ten minutes prior to the start time to allow for registration.

Investors with Internet access may listen to the live audio webcast via the Investor Relations page of the Core Scientific, Inc. website, http://investors.corescientific.com. Please allow 15 minutes prior to the call to download and install any necessary audio software. A replay of the audio webcast will be available for one year.

A supplementary investor presentation for the full fiscal year 2021 can be accessed at https://investors.corescientific.com/investors/events-and-presentations/default.aspx.

AUDIO REPLAY

An audio replay of the event will be archived on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http://investors.corescientific.com and via telephone by dialing 1 (866) 813-9403 (U.S. toll free), 1 (929) 458-6194 (U.S. local) or 44 (204) 525-0658 (all other locations) and entering Access Code 892840.

ABOUT CORE SCIENTIFIC

Core Scientific is one of the largest publicly traded, net carbon-neutral blockchain infrastructure providers and miners of digital assets in North America. Core Scientific has operated blockchain infrastructure in North America since 2017, using its facilities and intellectual property portfolio that has grown to more than 70 patents or applications for digital asset hosted mining and self-mining. Core Scientific operates data centers in Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, North Dakota and Texas, and expects to commence operations in Oklahoma in the second half of 2022. Core Scientific’s proprietary Minder® fleet management software combines the Company’s hosting expertise with data analytics to deliver maximum uptime, alerting, monitoring and management of all miners in the Company’s network. To learn more, visit www.corescientific.com.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this press release may constitute “forward-looking statements” for purposes of the federal securities laws. Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our and our management team’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements in this press release may include, for example, statements about:

  • execute its business strategy, including monetization of services provided and expansions in and into existing and new lines of business;
  • realize the benefits expected from the acquisition of Blockcap, including any related synergies;
  • anticipate the uncertainties inherent in the development of new business lines and business strategies;
  • retain and hire necessary employees;
  • anticipate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including variant strains of COVID-19, and its effect on business and financial conditions;
  • our ability to source clean and renewable energy;
  • future estimates of computing capacity and operating power;
  • future demand for hosting capacity;
  • future estimates of hashrate (including mix of self-mining and hosting);
  • operating gigawatts and power;
  • future projects in construction or negotiation and future expectations of operation location;
  • orders for miners and critical infrastructure;
  • future estimates of self-mining capacity;
  • future infrastructure additions and their operational capacity;
  • operating power and site features of our operations center in Denton, Texas;
  • manage risks associated with operational changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the emergence of variant strains of COVID-19;
  • increase brand awareness;
  • attract, train and retain effective officers, key employees or directors;
  • upgrade and maintain information technology systems;
  • acquire and protect intellectual property;
  • meet future liquidity requirements and comply with restrictive covenants related to long-term indebtedness;
  • effectively respond to general economic and business conditions, including the price of bitcoin;
  • maintain the listing on, or to prevent the delisting of our securities from, Nasdaq or another national securities exchange;
  • obtain additional capital, including use of the debt market;
  • the public float of our shares;
  • enhance future operating and financial results;
  • successfully execute expansion plans;
  • anticipate rapid technological changes;
  • comply with laws and regulations applicable to its business, including tax laws and laws and regulations related to data privacy and the protection of the environment;
  • stay abreast of modified or new laws and regulations applicable to its business or withstand the impact of any new laws and regulations related to its industry;
  • anticipate the impact of, and response to, new accounting standards;
  • anticipate the significance and timing of contractual obligations;
  • maintain key strategic relationships with partners and distributors;
  • respond to uncertainties associated with product and service development and market acceptance;
  • anticipate the impact of changes in U.S. federal income tax laws, including the impact on deferred tax assets;
  • successfully defend litigation; and
  • successfully deploy the proceeds from the Business Combination.

These forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date of this press release, and current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and involve a number of judgments, risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date, and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

You should read this press release with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this press release and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and such statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain, and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.

 

Core Scientific, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except par value)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

December 31,

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

Assets

 

 

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 117,871

 

 

$ 8,671

 

Restricted cash

13,807

 

 

50

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $— and $620, respectively

1,382

 

 

792

 

Accounts receivable from related parties

300

 

 

315

 

Deposits for equipment

358,791

 

 

54,818

 

Digital currency assets

234,298

 

 

63

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

30,111

 

 

6,210

 

Total Current Assets

756,560

 

 

70,919

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

597,304

 

 

85,244

 

Goodwill

1,055,760

 

 

58,241

 

Intangible assets, net

8,195

 

 

6,674

 

Other noncurrent assets

21,045

 

 

4,499

 

Total Assets

$ 2,438,864

 

 

$ 225,577

 

Liabilities, Redeemable Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

Accounts payable

$ 11,617

 

 

$ 3,057

 

Accrued expenses and other

67,862

 

 

3,585

 

Deferred revenue

63,417

 

 

38,113

 

Deferred revenue from related parties

72,945

 

 

6,730

 

Capital lease obligations, current portion

28,452

 

 

2,146

 

Notes payable, current portion

75,996

 

 

16,016

 

Total Current Liabilities

320,289

 

 

69,647

 

Capital lease obligations, net of current portion

62,145

 

 

2,263

 

Notes payable, net of current portion (includes $557,007 and $— at fair value)

652,213

 

 

19,864

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

18,531

 

 

103

 

Total Liabilities

1,053,178

 

 

91,877

 

Contingently redeemable preferred stock; $0.00001 par value; 50,000 shares authorized; 6,766 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively; $45,164 total liquidation preference for both December 31, 2021 and 2020

44,476

 

 

44,476

 

Stockholders’ Equity:

 

 

 

Common stock; $0.00001 par value; 300,000 and 200,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively; 169,719 and 98,607 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively

2

 

 

1

 

Additional paid-in capital

1,379,606

 

 

163,967

 

Accumulated deficit

(27,432

)

 

(74,744

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(10,966

)

 

 

Total Stockholders’ Equity

1,341,210

 

 

89,224

 

Total Liabilities, Redeemable Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Equity

$ 2,438,864

 

 

$ 225,577

 

 

Core Scientific, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

Hosting revenue from customers

$ 62,350

 

 

$ 34,615

 

Hosting revenue from related parties

16,973

 

 

6,983

 

Equipment sales to customers

138,376

 

 

11,193

 

Equipment sales to related parties

109,859

 

 

1,402

 

Digital asset mining income

216,925

 

 

6,127

 

Total revenue

544,483

 

 

60,320

 

Cost of revenue:

 

 

 

Cost of hosting services

77,678

 

 

36,934

 

Cost of equipment sales

177,785

 

 

11,017

 

Cost of digital asset mining

50,158

 

 

2,977

 

Total cost of revenue

305,621

 

 

50,928

 

Gross profit

238,862

 

 

9,392

 

(Loss) gain on legal settlements

(2,636

)

 

5,814

 

Gain from sales of digital currency assets

4,814

 

 

69

 

Impairment of digital currency assets

(37,206

)

 

(4

)

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

Research and development

7,674

 

 

5,271

 

Sales and marketing

4,062

 

 

1,771

 

General and administrative

60,604

 

 

14,556

 

Total operating expenses

72,340

 

 

21,598

 

Operating income (loss)

131,494

 

 

(6,327

)

Non-operating expenses, net:

 

 

 

Loss on debt from extinguishment

8,016

 

 

1,333

 

Interest expense, net

44,354

 

 

4,436

 

Other non-operating expenses, net

16,049

 

 

110

 

Total non-operating expense, net

68,419

 

 

5,879

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

63,075

 

 

(12,206

)

Income tax expense

15,763

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

$ 47,312

 

 

$ (12,206

)

Deemed dividend from common to preferred exchange

 

 

(10,478

)

Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders

$ 47,312

 

 

$ (22,684

)

Net income (loss) per share

 

 

 

Basic

$ 0.37

 

 

$ (0.23

)

Diluted

$ 0.32

 

 

$ (0.23

)

Weighted average shares outstanding:

 

 

 

Basic

129,527

 

 

98,492

 

Diluted

145,802

 

 

98,492

 

 

Core Scientific, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

Cash flows from Operating Activities:

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

$ 47,312

 

 

$ (12,206

)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

33,362

 

 

9,403

 

Stock-based compensation

38,937

 

 

3,037

 

Digital asset mining income

(216,925

)

 

(6,127

)

Deferred income taxes

9,528

 

 

 

Loss on legal settlements

2,636

 

 

 

Loss on debt extinguishment

8,016

 

 

1,333

 

Fair value adjustment on convertible notes

31,217

 

 

 

Amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs

1,374

 

 

1,300

 

Losses on disposals of property, plant and equipment

118

 

 

2

 

Gain from sales of digital currency assets

 

 

 

Impairments of digital currency assets

37,206

 

 

4

 

Provision for doubtful accounts

 

 

616

 

Changes in working capital components:

 

 

 

Accounts receivable, net

(7,421

)

 

(1,303

)

Accounts receivable from related parties

16

 

 

(243

)

Digital currency assets

24,011

 

 

6,090

 

Deposits for equipment for sales to customers

(244,399

)

 

(54,736

)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

(34,076

)

 

(2,353

)

Accounts payable

(21,991

)

 

(1,770

)

Accrued expenses and other

56,200

 

 

1,625

 

Deferred revenue

184,340

 

 

30,009

 

Other noncurrent assets and liabilities, net

(6,196

)

 

1,554

 

Net cash used in operating activities

(56,735

)

 

(23,765

)

Cash flows from Investing Activities:

 

 

 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

(365,210

)

 

(13,668

)

Cash acquired (paid) in acquisitions

704

 

 

(1,568

)

Deposits for self-mining equipment

(59,275

)

 

 

Other

(59

)

 

92

 

Net cash used in investing activities

(423,840

)

 

(15,144

)

Cash flows from Financing Activities:

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuances of common stock options and warrants

513

 

 

2,642

 

Issuances of debt

670,750

 

 

45,178

 

Principal payments on debt

(57,049

)

 

(7,097

)

Payment for transaction cost

(10,682

)

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

603,532

 

 

40,723

 

Increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

122,957

 

 

1,814

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash—beginning of period

8,721

 

 

6,907

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash—end of period

$ 131,678

 

 

$ 8,721

 

 

Core Scientific, Inc.

Segment Results

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

Equipment Sales and Hosting Segment

 

 

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

Hosting revenue

$ 79,323

 

$ 41,598

 

Equipment sales

248,235

 

12,595

 

Total revenue

327,558

 

 

54,193

 

Cost of revenue:

 

 

 

Cost of hosting services

77,678

 

 

36,934

 

Cost of equipment sales

177,785

 

 

11,017

 

Total Cost of revenue

$ 255,463

 

 

$ 47,951

 

Gross profit

$ 72,095

 

 

$ 6,242

 

Gross margin4

22

%

 

12

%

Mining Segment

Digital asset mining income

$ 216,925

 

 

$ 6,127

 

Total revenue

216,925

 

 

6,127

 

Cost of revenue

50,158

 

 

2,977

 

Gross profit

$ 166,767

 

 

$ 3,150

 

Gross margin4

77

%

 

51

%

Consolidated

 

 

 

Consolidated total revenue

$ 544,483

 

 

$ 60,320

 

Consolidated cost of revenue

$ 305,621

 

 

$ 50,928

 

Consolidated gross profit

$ 238,862

 

 

$ 9,392

 

Consolidated gross margin4

44

%

 

16

%

Core Scientific, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(Unaudited)

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as our net income or (loss), adjusted to eliminate the effect of (i) interest income, interest expense, and other income (expense), net; (ii) provision for income taxes; (iii) depreciation and amortization; (iv) stock-based compensation expense; and (v) certain additional non-cash and non-recurring items. For additional information, including the reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA, please refer to the table below. We believe Adjusted EBITDA is an important measure because it allows management, investors, and our board of directors to evaluate and compare our operating results, including our return on capital and operating efficiencies, from period-to-period by making the adjustments described above. In addition, it provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our results of operations, as well as provides a useful measure for period-to-period comparisons of our business, as it removes the effect of net interest expense, taxes, certain non-cash items, variable charges, and timing differences. Moreover, we have included Adjusted EBITDA in this press release because it is a key measurement used by our management internally to make operating decisions, including those related to operating expenses, evaluate performance, and perform strategic and financial planning.

The above items are excluded from our Adjusted EBITDA measure because these items are non-cash in nature, or because the amount and timing of these items is unpredictable, not driven by core results of operations and renders comparisons with prior periods and competitors less meaningful. However, you should be aware that when evaluating Adjusted EBITDA, we may incur future expenses similar to those excluded when calculating these measures. Our presentation of this measure should not be construed as an inference that its future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items. Further, this non-GAAP financial measure should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on GAAP results and using Adjusted EBITDA on a supplemental basis. Our computation of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures computed by other companies because not all companies calculate this measure in the same fashion. You should review the reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA below and not rely on any single financial measure to evaluate our business. The following table presents a reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:

The following tables reconcile the Non-GAAP Financial Measures to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial performance measure, which is net income (loss), for the periods presented (in thousands):

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

Net income (loss)

$ 47,312

 

 

$ (12,206

)

Adjustments:

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

44,354

 

 

4,436

 

Income tax expense

15,763

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

33,362

 

 

9,403

 

Loss on debt from extinguishment

8,016

 

 

1,333

 

Stock-based compensation expense

38,937

 

 

3,037

 

Loss on legal settlements

2,636

 

 

 

Fair value adjustment on convertible notes

16,047

 

 

 

Gain from sales of digital currency assets

(4,814

)

 

(69

)

Impairment of digital currency assets

37,206

 

 

4

 

Losses on disposals of property, plant and equipment

118

 

 

2

 

Other non-cash and non-recurring items

3

 

 

111

 

Adjusted EBITDA

$ 238,940

 

 

$ 6,051

 

1 Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. For a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures, please refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this press release.
2 Includes 1,746 of bitcoin mined by Blockcap during 2021 prior to being acquired on July 30, 2021.
3 The total number of bitcoin awarded on a combined self-mining basis for December 31, 2021 was 5,769 compared to 1,281 for the year ended December 31, 2020.
4 Gross margin is calculated as gross profit as a percentage of total revenue.

https://www.linkedin.com/company/corescientific/
https://twitter.com/core_scientific

Investors:
Steven Gitlin
ir@corescientific.com

Media:
press@corescientific.com

Source: Core Scientific, Inc.