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    Mike GrondahlNorthland Securities, Inc.

    Mike Grondahl's questions to Terawulf Inc (WULF) leadership

    Mike Grondahl's questions to Terawulf Inc (WULF) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Mike Grondahl inquired about the rationale for selecting FluidStack as a partner, the demand for the associated power, the 30-day exclusivity on additional capacity, and the calculation behind the $1.8 billion Google backstop.

    Answer

    CTO Nazar Khan explained that FluidStack is a premier AI cloud platform that diversifies TerraWolf's customer base. CSO Carrie Langlais added that the exclusivity for an additional building (CB5) is on a tight timeline with identical terms, including the Google guarantee. CFO Patrick Fleury clarified the $1.8 billion backstop represents approximately 50% of the total lease payments over the 10-year term.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Terawulf Inc (WULF) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Mike Grondahl asked about the two or three biggest learnings for TeraWulf from its extensive partnership discussions and design process with Core42 over the past several months.

    Answer

    CEO Paul Prager emphasized that the biggest lesson was the importance of selecting the right partner, which enabled a collaborative and cooperative design evolution rather than a confrontational one. Executive Nazar Khan added that the process involved refining every design component, leading to a 'perfected' data center design and underscoring the value of a true partner in navigating technical trade-offs for a new and evolving technology.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Terawulf Inc (WULF) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Mike Grondahl of Northland Securities asked whether TeraWulf has begun marketing the 250 megawatts of remaining capacity at Lake Mariner and sought clarification on the energization timeline for the first 150 megawatts at the Cayuga site.

    Answer

    CEO Paul Prager clarified that the first 150 megawatts at the Cayuga site are expected to be energy-available in 2026, with the data center build-out timeline dependent on customer requirements. Regarding Lake Mariner, he stated that while not being broadly marketed, the company is in 'deep discussions' with potential long-term counterparties for the remaining capacity.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Terawulf Inc (WULF) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Mike Grondahl inquired about the HPC demand environment, asking how pricing and contract terms have evolved in the last 90 days, and sought confirmation on the company's strategy to fund the expansion without issuing new equity.

    Answer

    CEO Paul Prager stated that pricing per kilowatt-hour has increased and that potential customers are showing greater interest in securing large blocks of megawatts at single sites. CFO Patrick Fleury reaffirmed the company's plan to use a one-year customer prepayment and project financing, noting this market is becoming more developed. He emphasized TeraWulf's positive EBITDA this quarter, contrasting it with peers who incurred losses.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Bitfarms Ltd (BITF) leadership

    Mike Grondahl's questions to Bitfarms Ltd (BITF) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Mike Grondahl from Northland Capital Markets asked about the rationale for selecting T5 as a partner, the cost and closing timeline for the Panther Creek land purchase, and the timing of cash receipts from the Argentina shutdown and related miner sales.

    Answer

    CEO Ben Gagnon explained T5 was chosen via a competitive process for its quality, reputation, and full-service capabilities. He disclosed the land purchase is for 178 acres at ~$3.5 million, closing this quarter. He clarified the ~$18 million from the Argentina shutdown includes ~$13 million from miner sales (expected in 2-3 months) and a ~$3.5 million electricity prepayment to be recovered over 18 months.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Bitfarms Ltd (BITF) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Mike Grondahl asked for an internal ranking of the company's U.S. sites beyond Panther Creek and sought clarification on the use of the projected sub-$100 million in 2025 non-HPC capital expenditures.

    Answer

    CEO Ben Gagnon detailed the unique attributes of each site, positioning Panther Creek as the flagship, followed by the similar but less advanced Scrubgrass. He noted Sharon is attractive for its scale, while Washington offers the lowest power cost, suiting different clients. CFO Jeff Lucas clarified the non-HPC CapEx is approximately $75 million, allocated to miner logistics and electrical infrastructure development at the Pennsylvania sites.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Bitfarms Ltd (BITF) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Mike Grondahl sought clarification on the 142 megawatts currently available at the Pennsylvania sites and the scope of the upcoming Q2 feasibility study.

    Answer

    CEO Ben Gagnon confirmed that 142 MW of data center capacity is active across Panther Creek and Scrubgrass, which can be powered by either on-site plants or the grid. He clarified the regulatory process is for future expansion and redundancy. He also stated the Q2 feasibility studies will be comprehensive, covering all North American sites, including Pennsylvania, Washington, and Quebec.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Bitfarms Ltd (BITF) leadership • Q2 2024

    Question

    Mike Grondahl of Northland Securities asked about the specific steps and timeline for executing Bitfarms' HPC and AI strategy, including team recruitment and discussions with hyperscalers. He also inquired about the company's aspirational goals for U.S. megawatt expansion beyond the new Pennsylvania site.

    Answer

    CEO Ben Gagnon responded that Bitfarms needs to hire talent for HPC-specific data center engineering and management, and is actively recruiting. While discussions with hyperscalers are ongoing, he believes the Q4 2025/Q1 2026 timeline is ample for execution. Regarding U.S. expansion, Gagnon emphasized that the goal is to rebalance the portfolio with a greater U.S. presence, but the focus is on acquiring sites with a competitive, long-term energy profile rather than targeting a specific megawatt number.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Sezzle Inc (SEZL) leadership

    Mike Grondahl's questions to Sezzle Inc (SEZL) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Mike Grondahl of Northland Capital Markets inquired about the subscriber mix and profitability differences between Sezzle's on-demand, premium, and anywhere products. He also sought clarification on whether the Q2 investment spend was primarily composed of the stated marketing expenses.

    Answer

    Executive Chairman & CEO Charlie Youakim confirmed the investment was the $8.8 million in marketing. He explained that 'Anywhere' is the most profitable product due to high usage, followed by the high-margin 'Premium' product, with 'On-demand' being the least profitable but serving as a key entry point for new users. He noted that most recent subscriber growth came from on-demand, which has impacted the 'Premium' product's growth, but 'Anywhere' also continued to grow.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Sezzle Inc (SEZL) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Mike Grondahl of Northland Capital Markets asked for a quantification of the financial benefit from the WebBank partnership, the reasons behind the strong stickiness of monthly subscribers, and details on how Sezzle is managing credit quality amidst loosened standards. He also requested descriptions of the new 'Pay in 5' and 'auto couponing' products.

    Answer

    CEO Charles Youakim addressed the questions, suggesting the WebBank partnership's benefit is best seen in the year-over-year improvement in revenue yield as a percentage of GMV. He attributed subscriber stickiness to the ease of use and peace of mind from having a single, go-to BNPL solution. On credit, Youakim explained that stronger overall profitability allows for a higher provision for credit losses while maintaining target gross margins, and noted that Q1's strong credit performance was also due to better-than-expected repayments and seasonal factors. He described 'Pay in 5' as a customer-driven product offering more payment flexibility and 'auto couponing' as a feature designed to add value and enhance customer loyalty.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Sezzle Inc (SEZL) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Mike Grondahl asked about the primary drivers for the acceleration in Q4 revenue growth, the performance of the Anywhere and Premium products relative to the new On-Demand offering, and the strategy behind the enhanced product marketplace.

    Answer

    CEO and Executive Chairman Charles Youakim attributed the 100% year-over-year revenue growth to two main factors: the WebBank partnership, which enabled a unified fee structure, and the successful launch of the On-Demand product. He explained the strategy is to use the lower-friction On-Demand product as a bridge to convert users to subscriptions over time. He also noted that continuous improvements to the app's shopping features are driving higher engagement and retention.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Sezzle Inc (SEZL) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Mike Grondahl of an unstated firm followed up on the timeline for launching new bank products, questioning if a mid-2025 launch was still the current expectation.

    Answer

    CEO Charles Youakim explained that Sezzle is currently prioritizing the enhancement of its shopping features to drive user acquisition and stickiness. While he anticipates launching one or two financial services products in 2025, he offered no firm commitment on the timeline, stating the near-term focus is on the shopping side of the business.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Riot Platforms Inc (RIOT) leadership

    Mike Grondahl's questions to Riot Platforms Inc (RIOT) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Mike Grondahl of Northland Capital Markets asked about the top two priorities for the newly hired Chief Data Center Officer, Jonathan Gibbs, for the remainder of the summer and fall.

    Answer

    CEO Jason Les outlined two parallel top priorities for Jonathan Gibbs: first, building out the data center team with more veteran talent to create a platform that meets hyperscaler expectations, and second, completing the 'basis of design' for the Corsicana site to facilitate more substantive discussions with potential tenants.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Riot Platforms Inc (RIOT) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Mike Grondahl of Northland Capital Markets asked for any interesting or helpful feedback received from potential tenants about the Corsicana site. He also inquired if any one or two potential tenants are emerging as front-runners in the discussions.

    Answer

    CEO Jason Les shared that feedback from tenants and advisors prompted Riot to proactively enhance the site by adding more land, water access, and fiber connectivity to make the offering more compelling. He stated that the entire hyperscaler landscape and beyond are potential tenants due to the site's prime location near Dallas, and did not single out any front-runners, emphasizing the broad interest.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Riot Platforms Inc (RIOT) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Mike Grondahl asked if the interest from hyperscalers was specific to the new 600 megawatts at Corsicana or if it also included the existing 400 megawatts there and the 700 megawatts at Rockdale. He also requested Riot's operational goals for its mining business in 2025.

    Answer

    CEO Jason Les clarified that inquiries from hyperscalers have been broad, focused on securing power quickly rather than being specific to any particular block of capacity. For 2025, he stated Riot's goal is to increase its Bitcoin mining hash rate by approximately 22% to 38.4 exahash, primarily through expansion at its Kentucky facilities.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Riot Platforms Inc (RIOT) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Speaking on behalf of Mike Grondahl, an analyst asked for more color on Riot's power curtailment strategy and the reasons for the year-over-year decline in power credit revenue.

    Answer

    CEO Jason Les explained that Riot's strategy involves curtailing when spot prices are high and monetizing hedges during periods of volatility. He noted that power credit revenue was lower year-over-year because the summer of 2024 saw significantly less price volatility than the summer of 2023. However, this lack of volatility also resulted in lower spot power costs for the Corsicana facility, contributing to a low overall cost of power.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Cipher Mining Inc (CIFR) leadership

    Mike Grondahl's questions to Cipher Mining Inc (CIFR) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Mike Grondahl of Northland Capital Markets asked which of Cipher's sites are currently being actively marketed for HPC development and requested specific commentary on the Stingray site's potential.

    Answer

    CEO Tyler Page explained that Barber Lake is being marketed for a single large tenant, while Black Pearl Phase 2, Stingray, and Reveille are being marketed to a broader range of tenants. He noted Stingray is attracting a 'middle tier' of the market, such as HFT firms, who value its remote location and low latency to Dallas.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Cipher Mining Inc (CIFR) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Mike Grondahl asked about the next milestones for the Barber Lake site and inquired about the level of tenant interest for the Stingray and Reveille sites.

    Answer

    CEO Tyler Page stated that the next major milestone for Barber Lake is signing a lease with a tenant, noting they are in advanced discussions with multiple parties. For the 100 MW Stingray site, he mentioned recent interest from a different category of enterprise clients. For the 70 MW Reveille site, he sees future flexibility, including potentially working with smaller clients or managing a colocation facility.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Cipher Mining Inc (CIFR) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    On behalf of Mike Grondahl, an analyst asked for details on the evaluation process for using the 150-megawatt Phase 2 of the Black Pearl site for HPC versus bitcoin mining, and for an update on the ideal timeline for the Barber Lake project following recent expansion announcements.

    Answer

    CEO Tyler Page explained that the decision for Black Pearl Phase 2 involves weighing the immediate revenue opportunity from bitcoin mining against the long-term strategic and financing benefits of securing an HPC tenant. He expects a decision by the next earnings call. Regarding Barber Lake, Page highlighted the recent acquisition of 337 additional acres and an MOU for an adjacent 500-megawatt site, creating a potential 800-megawatt campus. This expanded scope is favorably evolving discussions with potential tenants and financing partners.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Cipher Mining Inc (CIFR) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Mike Grondahl asked about Cipher's capital allocation strategy between its Bitcoin mining and new HPC verticals, and the progress of discussions with potential HPC customers and financing partners.

    Answer

    CEO Tyler Page explained that capital allocation is driven by shareholder returns. He contrasted the cyclical nature of Bitcoin mining with the stable, long-term cash flows of HPC hosting, which can be heavily debt-financed. Page noted that the HPC business is complementary and leverages Cipher's expertise in site origination. He confirmed that discussions with potential HPC tenants are "pretty advanced," with interest driven by the scarcity of large-scale sites available in 2025, and described the typical lease structure as a long-term agreement with payments as a percentage of the total build cost.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Encore Capital Group Inc (ECPG) leadership

    Mike Grondahl's questions to Encore Capital Group Inc (ECPG) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Mike Grondahl of Northland Capital Markets asked about the key drivers for the 20% year-over-year collections growth and requested a breakdown of collections performance versus forecast for the U.S. and European segments.

    Answer

    President & CEO Ashish Masih attributed the strong collections growth to three factors: high levels of recent portfolio purchases, a stable U.S. consumer, and significant operational performance improvements within the MCM business. He clarified that of the $55.6 million in total 'changes in recoveries', approximately $45 million was attributable to the U.S. MCM business, with 95% of the total representing cash collected above forecast.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Encore Capital Group Inc (ECPG) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Speaking on behalf of Mike Grondahl, Logan from Northland Capital Markets asked for clarification on the core EPS impact of the $21.5 million change in recoveries, the expected pace of share buybacks for 2025, and the specific attractions of the current U.S. purchasing market.

    Answer

    President and CEO Ashish Masih calculated a direct EPS impact of approximately $0.73 from the change in recoveries but cautioned against simply excluding it as it reflects real performance. Regarding buybacks, he stated that future activity depends on market conditions, balance sheet strength, and purchasing opportunities, without committing to a specific pace. Masih described the U.S. market as highly favorable, with record lending and a 10-year high charge-off rate providing ample supply at strong returns, leading to an expectation of record U.S. purchasing in 2025.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Encore Capital Group Inc (ECPG) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Mike Grondahl asked for the rationale behind Cabot's strong Q4 portfolio purchases occurring simultaneously with major ERC write-downs, the specific age of the vintages affected, and the likely timing of share repurchases given the declining leverage.

    Answer

    President and CEO Ashish Masih clarified the $200M in Q4 Cabot purchases were opportunistic spot buys and not indicative of future levels, which he expects to be lower in 2025. He stated the ERC reductions were concentrated in pre-2019 vintages. Regarding capital returns, he confirmed the company expects to resume share repurchases in 2025 as leverage is nearing the midpoint of its target range, but did not specify a quarter.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Encore Capital Group Inc (ECPG) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Mike Grondahl requested the collections performance as a percentage of expectations for both the U.S. and Cabot. He also sought to clarify if the new emphasis on share repurchases adds discipline to capital allocation, asked about the current buyback authorization, and inquired about the potential impact of Fed rate cuts on the company's floating-rate debt.

    Answer

    President and CEO Ashish Masih provided the collections figures: 105% of expectations for the U.S. (MCM) and 97% for Cabot, for a consolidated 103%. He reiterated that portfolio purchasing is the first priority and that repurchases would resume as leverage nears the midpoint of the target range, as the company can delever while still buying portfolios. He also confirmed a $92 million remaining buyback authorization. EVP and CFO Jonathan Clark noted that while the company was 99% fixed-rate as of Q3, it would return to a 20-25% floating-rate debt mix by year-end after redeeming certain notes.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Universal Technical Institute Inc (UTI) leadership

    Mike Grondahl's questions to Universal Technical Institute Inc (UTI) leadership • Q3 2025

    Question

    Mike Grondahl of Northland Capital Markets inquired about the three-to-five-year outlook for the Concord division now that growth restrictions are lifted, the potential timeline for new Concord campuses, and how investors should think about the impact of investments on EBITDA margins in fiscal 2026 and 2027.

    Answer

    CEO Jerome Grant explained that lifting the restrictions accelerates their five-year plan by a year, enabling more program launches in 2026 and a couple of additional campuses over the life of the plan. Regarding future margins, he noted that while formal guidance has not been issued, increased investment in new campuses and programs could result in 2026 EBITDA not matching 2025 levels, as these strategic costs are no longer adjusted out of EBITDA.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Universal Technical Institute Inc (UTI) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Mike Grondahl of Northland Capital Markets inquired about the specific programs or campuses driving the strong new student starts and asked for clarification on the favorable macro tailwinds mentioned in the press release.

    Answer

    CEO Jerome Grant explained that the primary tailwinds are the growing preference for trade schools over traditional 4-year degrees and the national focus on onshoring and infrastructure. He highlighted that new student start strength was driven by increased marketing investment in Concorde's healthcare programs and higher-than-modeled demand for UTI's skilled trades programs, such as welding and HVAC.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Universal Technical Institute Inc (UTI) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Mike Grondahl requested more details on the marketing and admissions efforts driving Concorde's new start growth and asked for an assessment of the macro environment for skilled trades versus traditional four-year colleges.

    Answer

    CEO Jerome Grant explained that the company is continuously investing in marketing for Concorde to reach more students in local markets until they see diminishing returns or hit enrollment caps. On the macro front, Grant described the current environment as 'very healthy,' with subsided friction and strong lead flow for skilled-collar careers.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Universal Technical Institute Inc (UTI) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Mike Grondahl of Northland Securities inquired about the strengthening macro tailwinds for skilled trades, asking for a comparison of the environment in fall 2024 versus the previous two years. He also followed up on the effectiveness of the marketing funnel, including leads and conversions, following accelerated investments.

    Answer

    CEO Jerome Grant detailed the market's evolution, contrasting the difficult post-inflation environment of fall 2022 with the strong recovery and growing student interest in skilled trades seen in 2024. He confirmed that leads and conversions are up, attributing the success, particularly at the Concorde division, to accelerated marketing investments that tested market elasticity and delivered results beyond initial expectations.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to OppFi Inc (OPFI) leadership

    Mike Grondahl's questions to OppFi Inc (OPFI) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Mike Grondahl of Northland Capital Markets questioned if the average loan size would continue to increase, the company's reaction to recent jobs data, the specific amount of collections in Q2, future OpEx growth expectations, and updated thoughts on capital allocation, including M&A and buybacks.

    Answer

    CFO Pamela Johnson stated that average loan sizes would likely see an incremental increase as larger loans are still being integrated into the portfolio. Founder, CEO & Executive Chairman Todd Schwartz explained that while they monitor macro data like jobs reports, they rely more on their own early repayment data, which remains strong. On capital allocation, he mentioned exploring M&A in adjacent spaces, while both he and Johnson highlighted that stock repurchases are a key consideration due to a perceived disconnect between the stock price and the company's value. Johnson also provided specific recovery figures: $10.7 million in Q2 2025, up from $8.4 million in Q2 2024.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to OppFi Inc (OPFI) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Mike Grondahl asked for the rationale behind leaning into growth in 2025, inquired about successful marketing channels, and questioned the company's plans for its significant free cash flow generation.

    Answer

    CEO Todd Schwartz expressed strong confidence in their underwriting model's ability to target high-quality customers, allowing for growth. He highlighted that improved auto-approval rates enhance the customer experience, justifying increased marketing spend and testing new channels. For capital use, Schwartz described a 'menu of options,' including funding growth, high-ROI internal projects, share buybacks, dividends, and potential inorganic acquisitions, all aimed at the highest and best use of capital.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to WisdomTree Inc (WT) leadership

    Mike Grondahl's questions to WisdomTree Inc (WT) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Mike Grondahl of Northland Capital Markets asked about the initial target market for the Cerus farmland acquisition, questioning whether the focus would be on RIAs, institutional clients, or family offices. He also asked leadership to identify the two most exciting developments for the digital asset strategy that are expected to drive success in the second half of 2025.

    Answer

    Global CIO Jeremy Schwartz identified the RIA channel as the primary initial target for the Cerus products, particularly through WisdomTree's model portfolios, which can effectively deliver the diversifying asset class to advisors. Regarding digital assets, President & COO R. Jarrett Lilien highlighted the validation of their regulated-first approach and the fundamental appeal of tokenized yield products. CEO Jonathan Steinberg emphasized the strategic advantage gained from their early entry into tokenization, which he believes is now paying off as the market matures.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to WisdomTree Inc (WT) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Mike Grondahl requested an update on WisdomTree's crypto funds and digital assets, their development outlook for the next one to two years, and the pipeline for new ETF launches.

    Answer

    Jeremy Campbell, executive, detailed the crypto strategy, highlighting a Bitcoin focus in the U.S. and broader, basket-based leadership in Europe, which has seen over $100 million in crypto inflows this year. He noted the restrictive U.S. regulatory environment but pointed to new thematic funds launching in Europe. William Peck, executive, added that there is a robust client pipeline for WisdomTree Connect and that the company is well-positioned to benefit from potential stablecoin legislation in the U.S.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to WisdomTree Inc (WT) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Mike Grondahl of Northland Securities, Inc. asked for a summary of WisdomTree's European crypto fund offerings, the potential for U.S. expansion, and how staking fees are treated within those products.

    Answer

    CIO Jeremy Schwartz detailed the broad suite of European crypto products, including those for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and others. CEO Jonathan Steinberg added that he expects a similar product rollout in the U.S. under the new administration in 2025. Executive William Peck explained that staking yields from these products are shared between investors and WisdomTree.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to WisdomTree Inc (WT) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Mike Grondahl from Northland Securities asked for an update on the performance and market reception of newer ETFs and inquired about the top strategic priorities for 2025 to sustain business momentum.

    Answer

    Executive Jeremy Schwartz highlighted the success of the QGRW quality growth ETF, which has gathered nearly $0.5 billion in AUM and outperformed the NASDAQ since its late 2022 launch. CFO Bryan Edmiston stated that 2025 priorities will be a continuation of the current strategy: investing in global products, portfolio solutions, and digital assets while seeking operational efficiencies, summarizing it as 'more of the same.'

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Piper Sandler Companies (PIPR) leadership

    Mike Grondahl's questions to Piper Sandler Companies (PIPR) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Mike Grondahl of Northland Capital Markets asked for the outlook on healthcare advisory and requested a description of typical debt advisory and private capital market transactions to better understand these growing non-M&A advisory businesses.

    Answer

    Chairman & CEO Chad Abraham stated that healthcare advisory has been 'quite strong' this year, rebounding significantly after being down last year. He explained that debt advisory has been one of the firm's fastest-growing areas, driven by the proliferation of private credit funds. A typical transaction involves arranging financing for a sponsor's acquisition or recap by navigating the complex landscape of alternative lenders.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Piper Sandler Companies (PIPR) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Mike Grondahl asked whether client uncertainty is driven solely by tariffs or if other factors are at play. He also inquired if the recent rebound in the S&P 500 had caused any noticeable change in client sentiment during the week of the call.

    Answer

    Chairman and CEO Chad Abraham responded that the primary issue is general uncertainty impacting CEO confidence, which is crucial for M&A. He specified that the key question for clients is how global trade issues will impact a company's P&L. He acknowledged that the market can change quickly with sentiment, citing the recent market bounce, some successful muni deals, and a couple of IPOs on the road as positive signs that demonstrate how fast things can turn.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Piper Sandler Companies (PIPR) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Mike Grondahl asked management to outline their top priorities for 2025, specifically for investment banking, fixed income, and the brokerage business.

    Answer

    Chairman and CEO Chad Abraham highlighted three key priorities: 1) expanding investment banking industry teams, with a major focus on doubling the talent in technology; 2) leveraging product expertise like restructuring and capital advisory across the MD platform; and 3) emphasizing growth in the fixed income business. President Debbra Schoneman added that for fixed income, the priority is a 'slow and steady build' of talent, while for equity brokerage, the focus is on product build-out in electronic trading and geographic expansion in the UK/EU.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Piper Sandler Companies (PIPR) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Mike Grondahl from Northland Securities asked for the outlook on the fixed income business for Q4 and 2025. He also sought clarification on the commentary that Q4 2024 revenues would be similar to the strong fourth quarter of 2023.

    Answer

    President Debbra Schoneman expects Q4 fixed income results to be similar to Q3, supported by depository client activity, and noted a normalized yield curve would be a positive catalyst for 2025. CEO Chad Abraham confirmed confidence in matching Q4 2023's strong performance, citing a robust start to October in ECM and Advisory, assuming stable market conditions.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Euronet Worldwide Inc (EEFT) leadership

    Mike Grondahl's questions to Euronet Worldwide Inc (EEFT) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Mike Grondahl of Northland Capital Markets requested an update on epay promotions for the second half of the year and asked for color on the extent to which foreign exchange fluctuations benefited the Money Transfer segment's margins.

    Answer

    EVP & CFO Rick Weller noted that a few epay promotions are scheduled for late Q3 and early Q4, but described the outlook as 'business as usual' without any expected dramatic changes. He confirmed that the Money Transfer segment did benefit from FX volatility during the quarter, which helped improve margins and supported the 33% year-over-year operating income growth, also noting a higher average transaction value.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Euronet Worldwide Inc (EEFT) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Mike Grondahl asked for an update on European ATM trends, summer travel outlook, and how foreign exchange rates are factored into the company's 12-16% adjusted EPS growth guidance for 2025.

    Answer

    CEO Michael Brown reported that early April travel trends are tracking to plan, with more travelers expected this summer. CFO Rick Weller explained that the guidance assumes flat FX rates, meaning a stronger Euro could provide a tailwind. Weller emphasized that the core 18% growth in operating income, driven by business diversification, is the primary factor supporting their confidence in the full-year earnings guidance.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Euronet Worldwide Inc (EEFT) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Mike Grondahl of Northland Securities asked about the specific operating income contribution from surcharge and interchange fee increases in 2024 and the expected impact in 2025.

    Answer

    CEO Michael Brown declined to quantify the specific impact but confirmed that fee increases occurred throughout 2024, which will provide a full-year benefit in 2025. CFO Rick Weller added that the regulatory environment has shifted favorably, with governments now supporting measures to ensure cash access, creating a 'wind at our back' for the ATM business, which now constitutes 19% of total revenue.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Applied Digital Corp (APLD) leadership

    Mike Grondahl's questions to Applied Digital Corp (APLD) leadership • Q4 2025

    Question

    Mike Grondahl questioned the financing terms for the CoreWeave project and asked for the specific go-live dates for the three contracted buildings at the Polaris Forge One campus.

    Answer

    CFO Saidal Mohmand detailed that financing terms for an investment-grade tenant are coming in as expected, around SOFR plus the low 400s, with loan-to-cost ratios in the 70% range. CEO Wes Cummins provided the go-live schedule: the first 100 MW building in calendar Q4 2024, the second 150 MW building in mid-2026, and the third 150 MW building in 2027.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Applied Digital Corp (APLD) leadership • Q3 2025

    Question

    Mike Grondahl from Northland Securities asked about the status of negotiations and pricing trends for the Ellendale campus, the key drivers behind the decision to sell the cloud business, and the future revenue potential of that segment.

    Answer

    Executive Wesley Cummins stated that data center pricing is up year-over-year but stable recently, and discussions continue with multiple hyperscalers. He acknowledged external pressure was a factor in the cloud business sale decision but noted it aligns with their strategy and market timing. He affirmed the cloud business should return to a $110-$120 million annual revenue run-rate.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Applied Digital Corp (APLD) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Mike Grondahl asked for specifics on the total capital invested in the Ellendale HPC campus, the amount of capital that can be recovered via the Macquarie financing, the size of the future development pipeline, and the current pricing environment.

    Answer

    CFO Mohammad Saidal Mohmand clarified that over $700 million has been invested in Ellendale, and the company expects to recover over $300 million in cash proceeds. Executive Wesley Cummins added that the pipeline includes 1.6 gigawatts of capacity for 2026/2027 and that the pricing environment remains strong, reflecting high demand.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Applied Digital Corp (APLD) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Mike Grondahl from Northland Securities asked about the demand environment beyond the 400-megawatt Ellendale campus, including discussions with other potential customers and the potential timing for a new Letter of Intent (LOI).

    Answer

    Executive Wesley Cummins highlighted a significant increase in inbound interest from three additional hyperscalers seeking 2025 and 2026 capacity. He indicated the company is actively working to secure another LOI for a different site, likely in the Dakotas, and suggested it could be achieved by the end of calendar year 2024.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Canaan Inc (CAN) leadership

    Mike Grondahl's questions to Canaan Inc (CAN) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Mike Grondahl questioned the order lead times required for Q3 or Q4 to outperform Q2 and also asked for guidance on the company's expected capital expenditures for the remainder of the year.

    Answer

    CEO Nangeng Zhang stated that current machine lead times are about 6-8 weeks due to inventory buildup, an improvement from previous quarters. CFO Jin James Cheng addressed CapEx, explaining it is primarily for wafer supply and managed via a rolling forecast. While not providing a fixed number, he estimated full-year 2025 wafer-related spending would be higher than $400 million, contingent on market demand.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Canaan Inc (CAN) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Mike Grondahl requested a product revenue breakdown between the A14 and A15 series for both Q3 2024 and the Q4 2024 forecast. He also asked about the remaining A13 inventory value and for a pro forma cash balance after the latest financing.

    Answer

    CFO James Cheng clarified that A14 series miners were the primary revenue driver in Q3, with A15 deliveries being minimal. He expects A14 to remain the major component in Q4, though A15 mass production is ramping up for key clients. Cheng stated that A13 models represent about 20% of the inventory value. He confirmed the Q3-end cash balance was $72 million and that the new $30 million financing was in process, which would be additive before accounting for operational investments.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Bit Digital Inc (BTBT) leadership

    Mike Grondahl's questions to Bit Digital Inc (BTBT) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Mike Grondahl of Northland Securities asked for clarification on the anchor customer's deployment delay from June 30 to August 20, the reasons for the shift, and the company's options for utilizing the associated GPUs in the interim.

    Answer

    CEO Samir Tabar and CFO Erke Huang explained that the customer exercised their contractual right to delay to the latest possible date due to an internal product development schedule change on their end. They clarified that the GPUs are already deployed in Iceland and are not sitting idle; they are currently generating revenue through on-demand services with Shadeform and are also being marketed for other multiyear contracts.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Bit Digital Inc (BTBT) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Mike Grondahl questioned how Bit Digital will bridge its current GPU rental revenue to its $100 million annual run rate target by year-end, seeking clarity on the Q4 revenue contribution from the Enovum acquisition. He also asked for the Bitcoin mining exahash outlook following the Coinmint contract termination and details on the company's ATM equity issuance since late June, including shares issued and total capital raised.

    Answer

    CEO Samir Tabar stated that recently signed term sheets and the Enovum acquisition get the company about 90% of the way to its $100 million run rate target. CFO Erke Huang and executive William Schnier clarified Enovum's contribution is a $7 million ARR. Regarding mining, Tabar explained the plan is to reach 3 exahash by H1 2025 by replacing inefficient miners. He also confirmed the issuance of 38 million shares via the ATM to fund CapEx while the company thoroughly evaluates less dilutive debt financing options.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Bit Digital Inc (BTBT) leadership • Q2 2024

    Question

    Mike Grondahl inquired about the scaling of the $700 million Boosteroid contract, the company's ability to reach its $100 million HPC revenue run rate without its anchor customer, the status of the new head of sales, potential data center acquisitions, and the financing strategy regarding ATM usage versus a credit facility.

    Answer

    CEO Samir Tabar explained that the Boosteroid contract is designed to scale in tandem with the customer's growth, with a baseline goal of 30% deployment in 2025. He affirmed confidence in hitting the $100 million run-rate target by year-end due to a strong pipeline, noting the new head of sales has already started. Regarding acquisitions, he confirmed the company is exploring owning its own sites to offer more services. CFO Erke Huang and CEO Samir Tabar added that while they are cautious with the ATM, it's crucial for funding large procurements, and they are evaluating debt financing options but have not yet found terms exciting enough to accept.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Abacus Global Management Inc (ABL) leadership

    Mike Grondahl's questions to Abacus Global Management Inc (ABL) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Mike Grondahl of Northland Securities, Inc. sought clarification on the Q1 AUM inflows, asking if the $123 million from private funds and $44 million from ETFs were separate figures. He also asked for the total consolidated AUM at quarter-end and an updated timeline for the Abacus Wealth Advisors strategy.

    Answer

    CEO Jay Jackson and CFO Bill McCauley clarified the AUM figures. Mr. Jackson confirmed that private/longevity funds brought in nearly $123 million in new assets, while ETFs saw net inflows, highlighted by a $44 million increase in the real assets ETF, contributing to a total of nearly $160 million in net inflows for the quarter. Mr. McCauley noted that the consolidated AUM balance would be available in the forthcoming financial supplement. Mr. Jackson added that the Abacus Wealth Advisors division is expected to realize significant opportunities in Q3 or Q4 2025, becoming a meaningful revenue contributor in 2026.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Abacus Global Management Inc (ABL) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Mike Grondahl asked for an update on AUM at the recently acquired Carlisle and FCF Advisors, their growth outlook for 2025, and whether website leads were being integrated with the FCF business.

    Answer

    CEO Jay Jackson could not provide non-public Q1 AUM data but expressed bullishness on capital raising for both entities, citing positive investor sentiment. He noted the FCF integration is underway, with plans to evolve the brand toward lifespan-based funds. He clarified that lead integration has not happened yet but is part of a broader strategy for the ABL Wealth division.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Abacus Global Management Inc (ABL) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Mike Grondahl of Northland Securities asked for an update on the competitive landscape and inquired about management's top strategic priorities for 2025.

    Answer

    CEO Jay Jackson outlined two key priorities for 2025: expanding marketing to increase education and awareness, and pursuing horizontal growth through acquisitions in adjacent industries like servicing, valuation, and technology. Regarding competition, Jackson stated that Abacus holds a significant advantage as the sole publicly traded company in its space, which aids in capital access and market positioning.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to International Money Express Inc (IMXI) leadership

    Mike Grondahl's questions to International Money Express Inc (IMXI) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Mike Grondahl of Northland Capital Markets questioned if the company considered pulling back on digital investment, how the wires-as-a-service pipeline is factored into guidance, and asked to quantify the financial impact of the shift to larger, less frequent transactions.

    Answer

    CEO Robert Lisy confirmed it is "full systems go" for digital investment, calling it the right long-term strategy and noting the "wires as a service" pipeline represents potential upside not fully factored into guidance. CFO Andras Bende quantified the impact of the transaction shift, estimating that with normalized send amounts, Q1 revenue would have been $7M-$10M higher and adjusted EBITDA would have been $2M-$3M higher.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to International Money Express Inc (IMXI) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Mike Grondahl of Northland Capital Markets asked for clarification on Intermex's response to retail market challenges, such as adding salespeople or incentives. He then pivoted to the digital business, asking about the scale of the planned investment through 2025 and for details on the current customer acquisition cost (CAC) and payback period.

    Answer

    CEO Robert Lisy clarified that the company is not underperforming in retail but is facing a flat market. He stated the response involves strategic pricing to gain wire share at specific retailers and leveraging a now fully-staffed sales team of 50 people, rather than waiting for the market to recover. Regarding digital, Lisy and Head of Digital Marcelo Theodoro confirmed a significant investment is planned to capitalize on the now-favorable unit economics and best-in-class app. They declined to specify the investment amount or the exact CAC, but Theodoro confirmed Grondahl's estimate of $40-$60 was 'reasonable'. Lisy added that the strategy also includes a 'wires-as-a-service' model with partners, which dramatically lowers CAC.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to International Money Express Inc (IMXI) leadership • Q2 2024

    Question

    Mike Grondahl requested specifics on what "invest in digital" entails, questioning if it is primarily marketing spend. He also asked for clarity on whether the challenges in the retail channel are macro-driven or stem from the competitive environment.

    Answer

    CEO Robert Lisy confirmed that future digital investment will be focused on marketing to drive customer acquisition, as the core application is already built and performing with strong unit economics. He reiterated that the challenges in the retail sector are overwhelmingly due to macro conditions causing the market to contract, rather than pressure from competitors. Lisy emphasized that Intermex's strong free cash flow allows it to fund this digital growth without incurring losses.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Lendingtree Inc (TREE) leadership

    Mike Grondahl's questions to Lendingtree Inc (TREE) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Mike Grondahl asked about the financial impact and benefit from the favorable court ruling on 'one-to-one consent' rules. He also sought to understand the primary drivers behind the recent step-up in the home equity business.

    Answer

    Scott Peyree, COO, explained that the home equity surge was driven by both strong client demand, as lenders reoriented their focus from mortgage refinances, and robust consumer demand to tap into rising home equity. Douglas Lebda, CEO, addressed the consent ruling, stating it averted significant short-term revenue disruption that would have occurred while the market adjusted to new lead dynamics, ultimately preventing a period of financial pain.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Lendingtree Inc (TREE) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Mike Grondahl asked about the $125 million Accounts Receivable balance, its composition, and the cash collection cycle. He also asked for guidance on free cash flow conversion from adjusted EBITDA.

    Answer

    CFO Jason Bengel explained that the high AR balance is primarily related to the significant growth in the Insurance business. He noted that the change in AR is roughly offset by the change in Accounts Payable, as the company has worked to manage working capital by aligning inflows and outflows. To calculate free cash flow from adjusted EBITDA, he advised subtracting capital expenditures (roughly $3M/quarter) and interest paid, noting that working capital changes should not be dramatic going forward.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Bitdeer Technologies Group (BTDR) leadership

    Mike Grondahl's questions to Bitdeer Technologies Group (BTDR) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Mike Grondahl inquired about the high-level demand for HPC/AI and the amount of power capacity Bitdeer is offering for it. He also asked for a rough timeline for when to expect the next batch of A2 miners beyond the initial 35 exahash.

    Answer

    Chief Strategy Officer Haris Basit explained that HPC/AI allocation is considered on a site-by-site basis, with the Clarington, Ohio site (initially 266 MW) being a primary candidate. Regarding future miner batches, he expressed optimism for additional allocations that could increase the year-end hashrate beyond the guided 40 exahash, but stated the company does not preannounce allocations until they are secured.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Bitdeer Technologies Group (BTDR) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Mike Grondahl from Northland Capital Markets asked for an overview of the HPC/AI demand environment, how much power Bitdeer is offering for this purpose, and the expected timing for the next batch of ASICs beyond the current allocation.

    Answer

    Chief Strategy Officer Haris Basit explained that HPC/AI development is being considered on a full-site basis, with the 266 MW Clarington, Ohio site being a primary candidate. Regarding future ASIC supply, he expressed optimism for additional wafer allocations in 2025 that could increase the year-end hashrate target, but stated the company does not pre-announce these allocations.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Bitdeer Technologies Group (BTDR) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Mike Grondahl asked about the number of employees dedicated to the HPC initiative and the general terms of potential financing, as well as how close Bitdeer is to securing its first orders for its new ASICs.

    Answer

    Haris Basit stated that a small internal team is focused on HPC business development, supported by external consultants. Jeff LaBerge added that financing terms are not disclosable but could involve project-level equity/debt or a development partner. Jihan Wu revealed strong early interest for the ASICs, with customers paying fees to 'lock-in' capacity for about a third of the initial 18 exahash production run.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Mitek Systems Inc (MITK) leadership

    Mike Grondahl's questions to Mitek Systems Inc (MITK) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Mike Grondahl questioned Mitek's competitive landscape and pricing power in the mobile check deposit market. He also asked for details on Check Fraud Defender (CFD), including when quarterly revenue might be disclosed and the size of the investment, as well as the overall OpEx outlook for fiscal 2025.

    Answer

    CEO Edward West acknowledged Mitek's dominant market share in mobile deposit and stated that pricing will remain aligned with the value delivered. For CFD, West reiterated the $10 million ACV and projected growth, while CFO David Lyle noted a strategic shift to reporting ACV over GAAP revenue. West quantified the CFD investment as a low-to-mid-single-digit percentage impact on EBITDA margins. Lyle projected a mid-single-digit million dollar increase in total OpEx for fiscal 2025, primarily for CFD.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Mitek Systems Inc (MITK) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Mike Grondahl from Northland Securities asked about the sales cycle length and revenue potential for the new top-10 bank signed for Check Fraud Defender, and whether mobile check deposit reorders met expectations.

    Answer

    CEO Ed West described the sales cycle for the large bank as long, over a year, due to extensive validation, but noted other deals can be shorter. He declined to specify revenue potential but called the deal 'compelling' and 'very attractive.' CFO David Lyle confirmed that mobile deposit reorders were in line with expectations for the quarter.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Payoneer Global Inc (PAYO) leadership

    Mike Grondahl's questions to Payoneer Global Inc (PAYO) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Mike Grondahl asked about the remaining opportunity in pricing initiatives and the specific process for cross-selling multiple products to larger ICPs.

    Answer

    CFO Bea Ordonez described pricing as a long-term driver with future opportunities from new products like the 'Pro' account. CEO John Caplan detailed a dual cross-sell strategy: a 'high-touch' motion with dedicated CSMs driving adoption of products like cards, and a product-led motion using bundles to surface relevant features to customers at scale.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to Medallion Financial Corp (MFIN) leadership

    Mike Grondahl's questions to Medallion Financial Corp (MFIN) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Mike Grondahl of Northland Securities, Inc. asked about the drivers for the strong recreation loan originations and the outlook for Q4. He also sought clarification on the EPS benefit from taxi medallion collections, the appropriate core provision run rate, the potential bottoming of the net interest margin, and the economics of the growing fintech partnership loan volume.

    Answer

    Executive Anthony Cutrone attributed strong Q3 originations to typical seasonality, cautioning that the portfolio may stay flat or contract slightly in Q4. He quantified the taxi collection benefit at approximately $0.08 per share for the quarter, above the typical $0.04 run rate due to a large settlement. He estimated the core provision is likely between $20 million and $22 million. Regarding the net interest margin, Mr. Cutrone believes it is very close to its bottom. Executive Andrew Murstein explained the fintech partnership model, where Medallion earns a fee (e.g., 50 bps) plus float for briefly funding loans with no credit risk.

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    Mike Grondahl's questions to HIVE Digital Technologies Ltd (HIVE) leadership

    Mike Grondahl's questions to HIVE Digital Technologies Ltd (HIVE) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Mike Grondahl of Northland Capital Markets asked for an update on customer demand for HIVE's planned 20-megawatt HPC capacity and inquired about the company's top three strategic priorities for the second half of calendar 2024.

    Answer

    President and CEO Aydin Kilic stated that the 20-megawatt project is in the infrastructure phase and that larger customers typically engage once projects are underway. He outlined three key priorities for H2 2024: achieving a $20 million annualized revenue run rate for the AI business, and breaking ground on both the Paraguay Bitcoin mining expansion and the 20-megawatt HPC conversion. Executive Chairman Frank Holmes added color on the complexity of HPC build-outs, emphasizing the significant engineering challenges but also the much higher revenue potential.

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