Bitcoin mining companies need about $50 billion to complete AI infrastructure projects, with IREN facing a funding gap of $21.1 billion

Odaily News: Publicly traded Bitcoin mining companies are expected to need approximately $50 billion to complete their planned AI infrastructure projects, with IREN, Riot Platforms, and HIVE Digital facing funding gaps of approximately $21.1 billion, $7.2 billion, and $4.6 billion, respectively.As Bitcoin mining companies expand into AI and high-performance computing, borrowing costs vary depending on clients, contracts, and project completion pathways. IREN secured $3.65 billion in GPU financing in June at a blended interest rate of 6%; in August, it obtained an additional $2.4 billion in fixed-rate financing at a 9% interest rate.Financing arrangements may also include costs beyond interest. In one Cipher Digital deal, Google agreed to backstop $1.4 billion in lease obligations and received warrants representing 5.4% equity in Cipher; if the warrants are exercised, existing shareholders' ownership stakes could be diluted.According to VanEck data, at the Bitcoin bull market peak last October, mining companies' debt had grown by approximately 500% compared to the second quarter of 2024. Despite a weakening Bitcoin market, capital demand continues to rise as mining companies pivot to AI businesses. (Cointelegraph)