Trump's son Bitcoin miner American Bitcoin went public in a backdoor listing, and Gryphon Mining's stock price soared 330%
Words: Joe, BlockTempo
U.S.-listed bitcoin mining company Hut 8 (HUT) announced on May 12 that its holding subsidiary, American Bitcoin Corp., has signed a definitive merger agreement with NASDAQ-listed Gryphon Digital Mining (GRYP). Under the terms of the agreement, American Bitcoin will achieve a public listing through a merger transaction with Gryphon Digital Mining, which is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025.
Post-Merger Related Matters
Upon completion of the transaction, the combined company will operate under the American Bitcoin brand, with a board of directors that includes Mike Ho (Executive Chairman), Asher Genoot (CEO of Hut 8), Justin Mateen (Co-Founder of Tinder) and Michael Broukhim (Co-Founder of FabFitFun). The management team consists of Mike Ho, Matt Prusak (CEO) and Eric Trump (Chief Strategy Officer). The combined company is expected to trade on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol ABTC.
Hut 8 further noted that the company will continue to be the exclusive infrastructure and operational partner of American Bitcoin, providing it with mining equipment and data center support through a series of long-term commercial agreements. At the same time, American Bitcoin's existing shareholders will hold approximately 98% of the combined company.
In response, Asher Geneot, CEO of Hut 8, commented:
"By making American Bitcoin publicly public, we expect to unlock dedicated growth funds independent of Hut 8's balance sheet, while preserving long-term Bitcoin upside potential for our shareholders. The move will also accelerate the expansion of American Bitcoin and strengthen its leadership position in the U.S. Bitcoin infrastructure."
What is American Bitcoin?
American Bitcoin is a U.S.-based Bitcoin mining and reserve company founded in March 2025 by Hut 8 in conjunction with American Data Centers. Hut 8 offers about 61,000 ASIC miners and holds an 80% stake, while American Data Centers holds the remaining 20%.
Notably, American Bitcoin has close ties to the Trump family. American Data Centers was founded in February 2025 by investors including Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., who own 20% of American Bitcoin through the company. Eric Trump is not only the co-founder of American Bitcoin, but also serves as the Chief Strategy Officer, responsible for setting the company's strategy and driving the public listing plan.
Gryphon Digital Mining is a smaller-scale Bitcoin mining company focused on sustainable mining technology. The merger is considered a backdoor listing, and Gryphon provides American Bitcoin with a fast path to the capital markets as a publicly listed legal entity.
Gryphon Digital Mining shares soared
Gryphon Digital Mining's share price surged about 280% in pre-market trading on May 12 on the news of the merger, and GRYP has risen to $1.42 from $0.52 on May 9 at the time of writing, up as much as 330% in the last five days.