Power Systems Veteran Joins Cipher from ERCOT, Where He Served as Director of Grid Coordination

Appointment Deepens Cipher's Power and Grid Expertise as It Scales HPC Data Center Pipeline

NEW YORK, June 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cipher Digital Inc. (NASDAQ:CIFR) ("Cipher" or the "Company"), a leading developer, owner, and operator of industrial-scale data centers, today announces the appointment of Bill Blevins as Head of Grid Strategies.

In this role, Mr. Blevins will lead Cipher's grid strategy, supporting the Company's efforts to source and secure power, and advance its development pipeline in Texas and around the country. He will report to Will Iwaschuk, Cipher's Co-President & CLO.

Mr. Blevins brings to Cipher more than 30 years of power systems experience spanning grid operations, reliability, and nuclear power. He joins Cipher from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas ("ERCOT"), where he served as Director of Grid Coordination. During his tenure at ERCOT, he previously held the roles of Manager of Operations Support and Manager of Operations Planning and was responsible for grid operations as ERCOT transitioned to its Nodal Market in 2011. Prior to ERCOT, Mr. Blevins served at the North American Electric Reliability Corporation ("NERC") and Duke Energy. In 2024, the Blevins Solar Project, a campus with 270 megawatts of solar power and 180 megawatts / 360 megawatt-hours of battery storage, was named in his honor.

"Bill is one of the most respected grid operators in the entire country, and his deep understanding of ERCOT and large-scale power systems will be invaluable as we continue to develop and energize data centers at scale," said Mr. Iwaschuk. "Securing and delivering power is the foundation of everything we do, and adding a leader of Bill's caliber further strengthens our ability to execute across our pipeline."

About Cipher

Cipher develops and operates industrial-scale data centers engineered for next-generation computing at the highest standards of innovation, precision, and excellence. The Company brings together deep expertise across power sourcing, construction, engineering, operations, real estate, and technology to deliver high-quality data centers purpose built for HPC workloads. By partnering with premier tenants, Cipher seeks to meet the growing demand for industrial-scale data center capacity and become a leading HPC development platform that is built for hyperscale. To learn more about Cipher, please visit https://www.cipherdigital.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws of the United States. The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and includes this statement for purposes of complying with these safe harbor provisions. Any statements made in this press release that are not statements of historical fact, such as statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations regarding its planned business model and strategy, and management plans and objectives, are forward-looking statements and should be evaluated as such. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "may," "will," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "could," "seeks," "intends," "targets," "projects," "contemplates," "believes," "estimates," "strategy," "future," "forecasts," "opportunity," "predicts," "potential," "would," "will likely result," "continue," and similar expressions (including the negative versions of such words or expressions).

These forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Cipher and its management, are inherently uncertain. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. New risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: volatility in the price of Cipher's securities due to a variety of factors, including changes in the competitive and regulated industry in which Cipher operates, Cipher's evolving business model and strategy and efforts it may make to modify aspects of its business model or engage in various strategic initiatives, variations in performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting Cipher's business, and the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations and to identify and realize additional opportunities. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the "Risk Factors" section of Cipher's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on February 24, 2026 and in Cipher's subsequent filings with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Cipher assumes no obligation and, except as required by law, does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Website Disclosure

The Company maintains a dedicated investor website at https://investors.cipherdigital.com/ ("Investors' Website"). Financial and other important information regarding the Company is routinely posted on and accessible through the Investors' Website. Cipher uses its Investors' Website as a distribution channel of material information about the Company, including through press releases, investor presentations, reports and notices of upcoming events. Cipher intends to utilize its Investors' Website as a channel of distribution to reach public investors and as a means of disclosing material non-public information for complying with disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. In addition, you may sign up to automatically receive email alerts and other information about the Company by visiting the "Email Alerts" option under the Investor Resources section of Cipher's Investors' Website and submitting your email address.

Contacts:

Investor Contact:

Courtney Knight

Head of Investor Relations at Cipher Digital

courtney.knight@cipherdigital.com

Drew Armstrong

Head of Strategic Initiatives

drew.armstrong@cipherdigital.com

Media Contact:

Ryan Dicovitsky

Dukas Linden Public Relations

CipherDigital@DLPR.com

Cipher Digital Announces Appointment of Bill Blevins as Head of Grid Strategies