tl;dr
A landmark $40 billion acquisition by the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership (AIP) sparks a revaluation of Bitcoin miners as their infrastructure becomes a critical asset for AI computing, creating a 150-500% stock valuation opportunity.
**Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership Acquires Data Center Giant in $40 Billion Deal, Sparking Bitcoin Mining Revaluation**
A landmark deal has reshaped the landscape of AI infrastructure and cryptocurrency mining as the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership (AIP), a consortium led by BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), secures Aligned Data Centers from Macquarie Asset Management for a record $40 billion. The acquisition, finalized in the first half of 2026, marks AIP’s first investment and signals a bold move to expand high-demand AI capacity, while also creating a ripple effect for Bitcoin miners.
**AIP’s Strategic Move to Power the AI Revolution**
The AIP consortium, which includes tech giants Nvidia, Microsoft, Elon Musk’s xAI, and Abu Dhabi’s MGX, has acquired Aligned Data Centers—a leader in high-density data centers designed for computationally intensive workloads. The deal grants AIP access to over 5 gigawatts (GW) of operational and planned capacity across the Americas, a critical resource for next-generation AI and cloud platforms.
Central to the acquisition is Aligned’s cutting-edge cooling technology, essential for managing the extreme heat generated by AI hardware. This infrastructure not only supports AI’s growing demands but also positions AIP as a key player in the AI economy, where electrical capacity is increasingly scarce.
**Bitcoin Miners Face an Arbitrage Opportunity**
VanEck’s Matthew Sigel, Head of Digital Assets Research, has highlighted a compelling opportunity for Bitcoin miners. By analyzing the $40 billion price tag, Sigel calculated that AIP is paying approximately $8 million per megawatt (MW) of planned power capacity. In contrast, publicly traded Bitcoin miners like Riot Platforms, Hut 8, and IREN are valued at just $3 million per MW—a stark $5 million difference.
Sigel argues that this disparity creates a hidden arbitrage opportunity. Bitcoin miners already control some of the largest privately held power and land footprints in North America, but the market currently views them as volatile “crypto companies.” By repurposing their facilities to host AI computing, these miners could unlock significant value.
**From Mining to AI: A Shift in Valuation**
The deal underscores a broader trend: electrical capacity, not just computational power, is the scarcest resource in the AI economy. Sigel notes that miners’ existing infrastructure—designed for energy-intensive Bitcoin mining—can be leveraged to secure long-term, stable contracts with AI providers. Such partnerships would transform miners into critical power hubs, enabling them to re-rate their stock closer to pure data center businesses.
This shift could lead to a 150% to 500% increase in stock value for miners, as the market recognizes their strategic role in the AI ecosystem. Additionally, long-term AI contracts would provide stable revenue, reducing reliance on volatile crypto markets and mitigating the need for stock dilution.
**A New Era for Energy-Intensive Industries**
The AIP deal exemplifies the convergence of AI and energy infrastructure, with implications far beyond data centers. As AI demand surges, the ability to secure reliable power and cooling will define competitive advantage. For Bitcoin miners, the path forward lies in diversifying their operations to capitalize on this shift, turning their existing assets into high-value propositions for the AI industry.
With AIP’s acquisition setting a new benchmark for infrastructure valuation, the market is beginning to see Bitcoin miners not as niche players, but as pivotal players in the energy and tech ecosystems of the future. This deal may well be a catalyst for a re-rating of the entire sector, as investors reassess the true value of energy-intensive assets in an AI-driven world.