Dec 28 (Reuters) – Crypto miner Argo Blockchain (ARB.L) said on Wednesday it will sell its mining facility Helios for $65 million and refinance a new asset-backed loan as it seeks to avoid bankruptcy, sending its London-listed shares soaring.

Argo, which earlier this month warned that it might have to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection due to insufficient cash, said the deals will allow the company to continue its operations.

London-listed shares of Argo, which have tumbled 92% so far this year, were up 120% to 8.5 pence in early trade, after the sale and refinancing agreement with Canada-listed crypto-investor Galaxy Digital Holdings (GLXY.TO).

The transactions include refinancing loans with a new $35 million credit with Galaxy, which will help reduce its total indebtedness by $41 million, the company said in a statement.

The crypto miner, which was founded in 2017 by CEO Peter Wall, had been struggling with an increase in costs and pressured margins amid lower bitcoin prices and higher power costs at Helios.

Digital currency miners such as Argo Blockchain use computers to solve cryptographic problems and receive a reward in the form of cryptocurrency.

Crypto mining was deemed an “emerging challenge to power reliability in upcoming years” by North American Electric Reliability Corporation this month.

London-based Argo said it plans to focus its operations at its…