Fortitude Mining, Digital Currency Group’s Zcash-focused miner, acquired 411,522 HeartSciences common shares in an Aug. 12 private placement at $2.43 each, spending $999,998.46 for an approximately 9.4% stake in the Nasdaq-listed company. HeartSciences said the price was a 22% premium to its closing share price on the purchase date and that net proceeds would fund operating expenses before the proposed combination closes. The equity investment is not a loan, does not change the exchange ratio and will not give Fortitude’s existing equity holders additional closing shares. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to shareholder approval. HeartSciences’ preliminary proxy says Digital Currency Group would hold about 95% of the combined company’s voting interests, while existing HeartSciences equityholders would retain about 5% of its voting and economic interests, subject to final capitalization and exchange-ratio mechanics. As of Aug. 20, the proxy still lacked dates for the special meeting and record date. HeartSciences warned that a failed merger could leave it with limited operating options, potentially requiring another strategic transaction or liquidation. Fortitude reported $8.5 million of adjusted EBITDA, while its GAAP results showed a $9.5 million net loss, including a $10.3 million impairment of mining equipment.