PANews reported on December 19th that, according to the Financial Times, Tether's AI data center company, Northern Data, sold its Bitcoin mining business, Peak Mining, for up to $200 million to companies controlled by Tether founder Giancarlo Devasini and CEO Paolo Ardoino (including Highland Group Mining and Alberta ULC, 2750418). Days after the deal was announced, Rumble, a conservative social media platform in which Tether holds a nearly 50% stake, agreed to acquire Northern Data for approximately $767 million. Northern Data was previously under investigation by the European Union for alleged large-scale tax fraud, which the company denied, stating it was cooperating with the investigation.