[Bitfarms launches 2.2 EH/s mining machine hosting agreement ahead of schedule, opposed by Riot Platforms] Golden Finance reported that Bitfarms announced that it will bring its 2.2 EH/s mining machine hosting agreement with Stronghold Digital Mining online in October 2024, two months earlier than originally planned. The agreement will enable Bitfarms to add 10,000 Bitmain T21 miners to its Panther Creek facility in Pennsylvania. Bitfarms CEO Ben Gagnon said the facilities will help the company expand its business, reduce electricity costs, and enter the fields of energy trading and AI. In addition, Bitfarms' Stronghold acquisition plan has sparked strong opposition from its largest shareholder, Riot Platforms. Riot called for reforms to the Bitfarms board of directors and questioned the value of the Stronghold acquisition, believing that the transaction would dilute shareholder interests. Bitfarms responded that Riot's proposal was in its own interest and insisted that the acquisition of Stronghold was a strategic move to optimize its US business.