Jaime Leverton- CEO of Fortitude and a Leader in Digital Asset Infrastructure

Jaime Leverton is the chief executive officer of Fortitude Mining Holdings, a vertically integrated digital asset mining company focused on Zcash and the broader Proof-of-Work ecosystem. She took the position on September 21, 2026, bringing more than two decades of leadership experience across cryptocurrency, data center infrastructure, telecommunications, financial services, and technology.

Leverton previously served as CEO of Hut 8, where she led a major transformation of the company from a Bitcoin mining business into a broader digital infrastructure operator with exposure to high-performance computing (HPC), artificial intelligence (AI), and power generation. Before that, she led ReserveOne, an institutional digital asset management company, and held senior positions at eStruxture Data Centers, Aptum, National Bank of Canada, BlackBerry, Bell Canada, and IBM.

At Fortitude, Leverton is responsible for scaling a business that combines cryptocurrency mining, owned infrastructure, power assets, and in-house operations. Her experience managing digital infrastructure companies and navigating public capital markets is particularly relevant as Fortitude prepares for a proposed public-market transaction. 

Who Is Jaime Leverton?

Jaime Leverton is a Canadian business executive recognized for her leadership in digital assets, technology, telecommunications, and data center infrastructure.

She became CEO of Fortitude in September 2026, succeeding Andrea Childs, who transitioned to chief operating officer. Leverton also joined Fortitude's board of directors.

Her career is notable for combining commercial leadership with operational experience in industries undergoing significant technological change. She has worked with established technology companies, financial institutions, data center operators, and publicly traded cryptocurrency businesses.

Leverton is particularly known for her tenure at Hut 8, where she oversaw a significant corporate transformation and helped expand the company's activities beyond traditional Bitcoin mining. That experience is relevant to her current role at Fortitude, which is developing an integrated mining and power infrastructure platform centered on Zcash. 

Education and Early Career

Leverton studied at the University of Ottawa, earning a Bachelor of Social Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Political Science. She later completed an MBA at Dalhousie University and obtained the ICD.D designation through the Institute of Corporate Directors' program at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management.

Her education combines social sciences and business management with formal training in corporate governance. These qualifications have supported a career involving commercial strategy, organizational leadership, and board-level responsibilities. 

Leverton began building her professional experience in the technology and telecommunications sectors. Her early career included leadership roles at IBM Canada and Bell Canada, where she developed experience in enterprise technology, sales, distribution, and business operations.

She subsequently moved into leadership positions at BlackBerry and National Bank of Canada before taking on senior roles in cloud and data center infrastructure.

Career Before Fortitude

IBM and Bell Canada: Building a Technology Foundation

Leverton's early leadership experience at IBM and Bell Canada gave her exposure to large technology and telecommunications organizations.

These businesses operate in complex markets where customer relationships, network infrastructure, enterprise services, and commercial execution are closely connected.

Her experience in these environments helped establish a foundation for later roles involving data centers, cloud infrastructure, and digital services. 

BlackBerry: Telecommunications and Enterprise Technology

Leverton later held a senior position at BlackBerry, serving as vice president of carrier sales and distribution for the Americas.

The role involved working across telecommunications distribution channels and enterprise technology markets. It also gave her experience in an industry undergoing a major shift from traditional mobile devices toward software, security, and enterprise services.

This period added to her understanding of how technology companies adapt their commercial models as customer expectations and markets change. 

National Bank of Canada: Financial Markets

Leverton subsequently served as managing director of financial markets at National Bank of Canada.

The position expanded her experience into financial services and capital markets, areas that later became important in her work with publicly traded digital asset companies.

Her understanding of financial institutions and corporate markets has been relevant to the financing, strategic transactions, and investor relationships involved in digital infrastructure businesses. 

Aptum and eStruxture: Data Center and Cloud Infrastructure

Before entering cryptocurrency mining leadership, Leverton held senior roles at Cogeco Peer 1, now known as Aptum, and eStruxture Data Centers.

At Aptum, she served as general manager and vice president for Canada and the Asia-Pacific region. The company provides managed cloud, hosting, and IT infrastructure services.

She later became chief commercial officer at eStruxture, a Canadian data center operator. In that role, she worked in a market closely connected to the infrastructure demands of cloud computing and digital services.

These positions gave her direct commercial experience in data center operations, enterprise connectivity, and infrastructure expansion. They also provided a foundation for her later work at the intersection of cryptocurrency mining and high-performance computing. 

CEO of Hut 8: Transforming a Digital Asset Mining Business

Leverton became CEO of Hut 8 in December 2020. The company was a publicly traded Bitcoin mining business operating in a market characterized by changing cryptocurrency prices, mining difficulty, energy costs, and growing competition for infrastructure.

During her tenure, Leverton led a significant transformation of the company. Hut 8 expanded beyond traditional cryptocurrency mining and developed a broader digital infrastructure strategy that included high-performance computing, AI-related data center opportunities, and power generation assets.

One of the most important milestones was Hut 8's all-stock merger with US Bitcoin Corp. The transaction combined the companies' operations and expanded their infrastructure footprint. The combined business became one of North America's major digital asset infrastructure operators.

Under Leverton's leadership, Hut 8 also completed its transition to a U.S.-domiciled public company and dual-listed on Nasdaq. These developments strengthened its access to public capital markets and expanded its position in the North American digital asset industry. 

Expanding Beyond Bitcoin Mining

A defining aspect of Leverton's leadership at Hut 8 was the company's move toward a more diversified infrastructure business.

Rather than relying exclusively on Bitcoin mining, Hut 8 pursued opportunities in:

• High-performance computing: Infrastructure designed for computing-intensive workloads.

• AI data centers: Facilities capable of supporting the growing demand for AI computing.

• Power generation: Energy assets and infrastructure supporting large-scale data center operations.

• Digital asset mining: Continued cryptocurrency mining operations and related infrastructure.

This strategy reflected a broader shift in the digital infrastructure industry. Data centers, power availability, and high-capacity computing resources became increasingly important as AI and cloud workloads expanded.

Leverton's experience at eStruxture and Aptum was particularly relevant to this transition because she already understood the commercial and operational requirements of data center businesses. 

She left Hut 8 in January 2024 following a leadership transition. Her tenure remains a significant part of her professional background because it established her reputation as an executive capable of leading a publicly traded digital asset infrastructure company through strategic change.

ReserveOne: Institutional Digital Asset Management

After Hut 8, Leverton became CEO of ReserveOne, an institutional digital asset management company.

ReserveOne operated at the intersection of traditional financial services and digital assets, with a focus on institutional participation in the cryptocurrency market.

The position added another dimension to Leverton's experience. Her previous roles had involved mining operations, data centers, and enterprise technology; ReserveOne brought her closer to institutional digital asset investment and financial management.

She remained with ReserveOne before accepting the CEO position at Fortitude in September 2026. 

Jaime Leverton as CEO of Fortitude

Fortitude is a vertically integrated digital asset mining platform focused on Zcash, the cryptocurrency associated with the Zcash network.

The company operates across the Proof-of-Work ecosystem, combining mining equipment, data center infrastructure, power assets, and in-house technical operations.

Fortitude's business model is designed to give it greater control over the infrastructure and energy resources required for cryptocurrency mining. Its activities include:

• Digital asset mining: Operating specialized hardware to mine Proof-of-Work cryptocurrencies, with a current focus on Zcash.

• Data center infrastructure: Owning and operating facilities that house mining equipment and related systems.

• Power management: Securing electricity supply and managing energy consumption across operating locations.

• Equipment procurement and maintenance: Managing mining hardware, repairs, and operational performance internally.

• Infrastructure expansion: Identifying opportunities to acquire or develop additional facilities and power capacity.

Fortitude was launched by Digital Currency Group (DCG), a major digital asset investment and operating group. Its platform builds on mining experience developed within Foundry's self-mining division. 

Fortitude's Infrastructure and Operating Model

Fortitude reports more than 60 megawatts of owned power capacity across seven U.S. sites. Its vertically integrated approach combines owned facilities, power arrangements, mining hardware, and in-house maintenance.

The company's operating strategy is designed to provide more control over costs and infrastructure decisions than a business relying entirely on third-party hosting providers.

One example of this approach is its Aurora, Nebraska facility. In October 2026, Fortitude announced that the 15-megawatt site had begun participating in Southwest Power Pool wholesale electricity markets through a Dispatchable Demand Response arrangement.

The arrangement allows the facility to adjust electricity consumption in response to grid conditions and market signals. Fortitude says this flexibility can help optimize operating economics while supporting electricity-grid reliability. 

Why Zcash Matters to Fortitude

Zcash is a Proof-of-Work cryptocurrency with privacy features that allow users to make shielded transactions. Its mining network relies on specialized computing hardware to validate transactions and secure the blockchain.

Fortitude has focused its mining strategy on Zcash rather than operating solely as a conventional Bitcoin miner.

The company reported mining 72,696 ZEC during the first half of 2026, representing approximately 28% of the network's total production during that period. It also reported second-quarter 2026 revenue of $20.9 million.

These figures illustrate the scale of Fortitude's mining operations, although cryptocurrency prices, mining difficulty, energy costs, and network conditions can significantly affect future performance. 

Strategic Priorities Under Jaime Leverton

Leverton joined Fortitude at a significant stage in its development. The company is expanding its infrastructure, developing its power strategy, and preparing for a proposed transaction that could bring it to the public markets.

Her experience at Hut 8 provides a relevant example of leading a digital asset mining company through infrastructure expansion, corporate transactions, and strategic diversification.

Several priorities stand out for her Fortitude leadership.

1. Scaling a Vertically Integrated Mining Platform

Fortitude's strategy depends on combining mining operations with owned infrastructure, power resources, and in-house maintenance.

Leverton's experience managing Hut 8's operations and expansion gives her relevant experience in scaling this type of business.

2. Expanding Power and Energy Capabilities

Electricity is one of the most important operating costs in cryptocurrency mining. Access to competitive power and the ability to adjust consumption can influence a mining company's operating economics.

Fortitude's participation in wholesale electricity markets at its Aurora facility demonstrates its interest in flexible power management. Leverton has identified power flexibility as an important part of the company's infrastructure strategy. 

3. Preparing for the Public Markets

Fortitude announced a proposed business combination with HeartSciences in June 2026. The transaction is structured as an all-stock combination intended to bring Fortitude to the public markets.

Under the proposed arrangement, the combined company is expected to operate under the Fortitude name and trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol TUDE, subject to shareholder approval and applicable listing requirements.

Leverton's experience taking Hut 8 through a major merger and Nasdaq listing is particularly relevant to this objective.

As of November 2, 2026, the transaction had not yet been completed. HeartSciences had filed its definitive proxy statement, and a special shareholder meeting was scheduled for November 19, 2026. 

4. Managing Growth Across the Proof-of-Work Ecosystem

Although Fortitude is currently anchored in Zcash, its stated strategy includes identifying opportunities across the wider Proof-of-Work ecosystem.

This approach could involve expanding mining capacity, acquiring infrastructure, and evaluating other opportunities as the digital asset market develops.

Leverton's experience in both mining and institutional digital assets gives her a background relevant to evaluating these opportunities.

Leadership Style and Business Philosophy

Leverton's career reflects a leadership approach focused on business transformation, commercial development, and building infrastructure for emerging markets.

Her experience across established technology companies and newer digital asset businesses has required her to balance long-term strategic decisions with the operational realities of running complex organizations.

Several themes stand out:

• Transformation: Her Hut 8 tenure involved moving the company beyond a traditional Bitcoin mining model toward a broader digital infrastructure business.

• Infrastructure expertise: Her earlier work at Aptum and eStruxture gave her direct experience in data center and cloud infrastructure markets.

• Commercial leadership: Her positions at BlackBerry, National Bank, and eStruxture involved developing business relationships and expanding commercial opportunities.

• Capital markets experience: Her work at National Bank and Hut 8 provided exposure to financial markets, corporate transactions, and public-company leadership.

• Operational growth: At Fortitude, she is responsible for scaling a business that integrates mining operations, power assets, and infrastructure.

Her career demonstrates an ability to work across traditional technology markets and emerging digital asset businesses. This combination is relevant as Fortitude seeks to develop a differentiated position in the cryptocurrency mining industry. 

Board Memberships and Industry Involvement

Leverton also serves on the boards of several companies operating in digital assets, energy, and infrastructure.

Her board roles include:

• Riot Platforms: A publicly traded Bitcoin mining and digital infrastructure company.

• Synteq Digital: A company operating in the digital asset mining infrastructure sector.

• New West Data: A business operating at the intersection of energy and digital asset mining.

• Vertical Data: A company focused on data infrastructure.

These positions extend her involvement in the broader digital infrastructure ecosystem and provide exposure to companies operating across mining, energy, and computing markets. 

Key Facts About Jaime Leverton

Detail	Information
Full name	Jaime Leverton
Current position	Chief Executive Officer of Fortitude
CEO since	September 21, 2026
Industry	Digital assets, cryptocurrency mining, data center infrastructure
Previous CEO roles	Hut 8, ReserveOne
Previous senior roles	eStruxture Data Centers, Aptum, National Bank of Canada, BlackBerry, Bell Canada, IBM
Education	University of Ottawa; MBA, Dalhousie University
Governance qualification	ICD.D, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto
Board memberships	Riot Platforms, Synteq Digital, New West Data, Vertical Data
Current company focus	Zcash mining and vertically integrated digital infrastructure

 

Why Jaime Leverton Matters in Digital Infrastructure

Jaime Leverton's career reflects the growing connection between cryptocurrency mining, data centers, energy infrastructure, and high-performance computing.

Her experience at Hut 8 demonstrated how a mining company could expand into a broader digital infrastructure business. Her background in data centers and telecommunications also gives her an understanding of the infrastructure and commercial requirements behind large-scale computing operations.

At Fortitude, she is applying that experience to a company with a different strategic focus: building a vertically integrated mining platform centered on Zcash.

Her immediate challenge is to expand Fortitude's infrastructure, manage its power portfolio, maintain efficient mining operations, and guide the business through its proposed public-market transaction.

As demand for digital infrastructure continues to evolve, Leverton's leadership will be measured by Fortitude's ability to turn its operating model and infrastructure assets into sustainable business performance.

About Fortitude

Fortitude is a vertically integrated digital asset mining company focused on Zcash and the broader Proof-of-Work ecosystem. The company combines cryptocurrency mining operations with data center infrastructure, power assets, equipment procurement, and in-house maintenance.

Backed by Digital Currency Group, Fortitude aims to identify and scale opportunities in digital asset mining through infrastructure ownership, operational control, and disciplined capital allocation.