2023-01-12 –, Main Hall
Sourcing low cost power is a key function for all successful bitcoin mining operations. There are many paths to success, and one major fork in the strategic road is between "on-grid", typically utility metered and fed, and "off-grid", typically behind the meter, stranded, or otherwise bespoke electricity. On this panel you will hear about the pros and cons of each and come away thinking about how American infrastructure functions in more fundamental ways and how these digital wildcatters live at the bleeding edge in ways that will benefit us all.
Founder of Foreman Mining Management
Alex Thorn is Head of Firmwide Research at Galaxy Digital. At Galaxy, Alex leads a team of researchers dedicated to understanding and unpacking developments in the cryptocurrency ecosystem, producing insights for internal and external audiences. Prior to joining Galaxy Digital, Alex spent 12 years at Fidelity Investments, most recently co-managing Avon Ventures, the early-stage crypto venture fund affiliated with FMR LLC, the parent company of Fidelity Investments. Before that, Alex was Director of Blockchain Research at Fidelity Center for Applied Technology where he directed technology experimentation and published research on the cryptocurrency and blockchain ecosystem. Alex has a B.A. in Political Science from Vanderbilt University.
Justin Ballard is an experienced energy attorney representing corporations, landowners, and individuals in complex transactional matters. Justin’s practice focuses on complex bitcoin mining issues as well as representing oil and gas clients in all phases of the industry.
As a CEO, General Counsel, and Board Member, Justin has completed over $160 million in M&A transactions and scaled businesses to successful exits.
Justin has a deep experience in the bitcoin mining industry having served as the co-founder and CEO of JAI Energy prior to joining Martin Legal Group. While at JAI Energy, Justin combined his experience in the oil and gas industry and his passion for bitcoin mining to form one of the largest bitcoin mining operations in the state of Wyoming and closed on one of the largest single-site transactions in terms of megawatts in the space in 2022. Justin has made facilitating the integration of oil and gas companies with the bitcoin mining industry a personal mission and works closely with oil and gas operators on identifying and executing on mining opportunities.
Prior to his work at JAI Energy, Justin spent more than a decade as general counsel and landman for multiple oil and gas operators. He served as Chief Legal Officer and Vice President of Land at Century Oil and Gas, LLC, a private equity-backed, Powder River Basin-focused operator out of Houston, Texas. While at Century, Justin successfully negotiated and closed on multiple acquisitions valued at over $16 million and was also responsible for handling all legal and land-related matters. Justin also previously served as General Counsel and Vice President of Acquisitions and Divestitures at Sponte Resources. He also spent time at Indigo Minerals and Anadarko Petroleum Corporation where he gained valuable experience in everything from midstream and gathering contracts to complex acquisitions and divestitures.
Miner and US based business development for Braiins