Fortitude Mining has named former Hut 8 CEO Jaime Leverton as chief executive, effective Sept. 21, as the Zcash-focused company advances an all-stock merger with Nasdaq-listed HeartSciences Inc. The combined business is expected to retain the Fortitude name and trade under TUDE, subject to Nasdaq approval, with Leverton expected to continue leading the merged entity. The transaction is targeted for the second half of 2026 and was previously described as a fourth-quarter closing. Digital Currency Group, which owns Fortitude, would retain roughly 95% of the merged company on a fully diluted basis. Andrea Childs, Fortitude's former CEO, will become chief operating officer, overseeing mining operations, fleet decisions and infrastructure. Fortitude produced 72,696 ZEC in the first six months of 2026, about 28% of total network output, and operates more than 60 megawatts across seven U.S. sites. It signed a purchase agreement with Bitmain for 9,000 Antminer Z15 Pro units, with delivery scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026. The company reported second-quarter revenue of $20.9 million, a $9.5 million net loss including a $10.3 million mining-equipment writedown, and adjusted EBITDA of $8.5 million. ZEC has risen more than 2,752% over the past year and year-to-date, recently crossing $1,440 with a market capitalization above $24.7 billion and open interest above $2.18 billion.