General counsel | Hive Digital Technologies
Gabriel Ibghy
General counsel | Hive Digital Technologies
What are the projects that you are most proud of working on over the past 12 months?
Over the past year as General Counsel at HIVE Digital Technologies, one of the projects I’m most proud of is our strategic expansion into Paraguay. I had the privilege of leading the legal, regulatory and M&A efforts for our acquisition of Bitfarms’ Yguazú site—a 200 MW hydro-powered facility. This acquisition is a major milestone, increasing our operations by up to 317%. It reflects not only our growth ambitions but also our ongoing commitment to environmentally responsible operations powered by renewable energy.
In parallel, as a member of a multi-talented management team we together executed on the completion of phase one of our infrastructure buildout at the Yguazú facility. This included the construction and energisation of a 100 MW air-cooled data center supported by a 200 MW substation. The pace and precision with which this first phase was completed are testament to the cross-functional collaboration between our legal, operations, and executive teams. Supporting this level of execution while navigating cross-border regulatory frameworks has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my role.
Based on your experiences in the past year, are there any trends in the legal or business world, specific to Paraguay, that you are keeping an eye on that you think other in-house lawyers should be mindful of?
Operating in a new jurisdiction requires not only legal compliance but also cultural fluency and trust-building. These relationships have proven essential to HIVE’s success and should be a top priority for any legal team supporting international expansion.
What are some key attributes every in-house lawyer should possess?
To be effective, in-house lawyers need a unique blend of legal precision and business intuition. Understanding the company’s strategic direction and aligning legal counsel to support that vision is foundational. In fast-moving sectors like digital infrastructure, agility, adaptability and responsiveness are critical. Finally, operating in global markets requires a strong ethical compass and a practical mindset. Knowing when to lead, when to listen, and how to balance legal requirements with business realities is what defines great in-house counsel.