Bitcoin Miners Face a 9-Month Deadline to Secure AI Data Center Deals, JPMorgan Reports

As the AI boom demands increasing amounts of compute, Bitcoin miners are racing to secure their own energy demands

JPMorgan analysts recently identified a crucial nine-month window for Bitcoin miners to secure contracts with U.S.-based hyperscalers and AI startups, according to The Block. 

During this period, miners must negotiate favorable deals for data center and high-performance computing (HPC) services before the opportunity diminishes as data center applications await approval and grid access.

The rising demand for AI computing gives Bitcoin miners a unique advantage. Their existing infrastructure positions them as potential hosts for AI GPU services. However, the pool of partners remains small, limited to major hyperscalers and well-funded AI startups. The estimated $3 billion required to equip a 100 MW site with advanced GPUs highlights the financial challenges miners face in capitalizing on this trend.

Limited Partnerships and High Costs

JPMorgan highlighted that only a few Bitcoin miners may secure deals within the next nine months. Competition is intense, with major tech players and AI startups seeking similar partnerships. Additionally, the high expenses involved in upgrading facilities for AI add to the challenge. Miners must tackle these financial barriers while ensuring their infrastructure meets AI data center standards.

According to JPMorgan analysts, miners have a limited timeframe of about nine months to strike deals with well-funded hyperscalers and AI firms. However, data center applications are still pending, awaiting approvals and grid connections. This offers a narrow chance for miners to adapt their systems to meet the growing demand for AI computing.

“We think select miners have around nine months to sign favorable deals with a handful of well-funded hyperscalers/AI startups, while data center applications remain in limbo, awaiting approval and or grid interconnections,” stated JP Morgan analysts Reginald L. Smith and Charles Pearce.

U.S. Bitcoin miners currently access over 5 GW of power, with another 6 GW under development. Meanwhile, there is a backlog of more than 12 GW of planned or under-construction data centers, which could take up to six years to complete. This gives Bitcoin miners an advantage, as they can provide immediate hosting solutions for high-performance computing without waiting for new facilities.

The U.S. has around 1,300 GW of total electricity generation capacity. Data centers use about 2% of the energy, while Bitcoin miners consume less than 1%. These figures show that both sectors have significant growth potential without burdening the national grid.

Insatiable Demand for Data Center Capacity

The report highlights a shared outlook among industry leaders, including Nvidia and major U.S. tech firms, pointing to strong demand for data center space through 2026. This surge comes from rapid growth in AI and machine learning, which require immense computing resources. Bitcoin miners, with their existing infrastructure, are in a prime position to enter this expanding market.

Fred Thiel, CEO of MARA, in an interview, compared today’s AI climate to the early 2000s internet boom. He cautioned that smaller companies risk overbuilding without enough demand, potentially facing financial trouble if clients don’t generate income. This warning emphasizes the need for Bitcoin miners to balance growth with sustainable demand.

Source: MARA

Despite these risks, Thiel is optimistic about AI’s long-term role in Bitcoin mining. He foresees miners becoming energy partners for AI data centers by using low-cost energy. This shift could boost profits and efficiency, positioning Bitcoin miners as key contributors to the AI sector.

MARA is consolidating 54% of its third-party hosted capacity, moving toward a more vertically integrated model. This approach aligns with Riot Platform CEO Jason Les, who is open to AI partnerships if the right deals arise. These strategic moves are vital as the industry adapts to the evolving intersection of AI and cryptocurrency.

Focus on Sustainable Energy

MARA is advancing on-site power generation by using stranded or flare gas, significantly lowering gas costs compared to the traditional energy grid. This strategy cuts operational expenses and solves energy curtailment issues. Thiel stressed the goal of maximizing Bitcoin mining efficiency. Mining Bitcoin at near-zero energy cost dramatically reduces acquisition costs, giving MARA a competitive edge over others in the industry.

Additionally, MARA’s investment in Auradine, a bitcoin mining manufacturer, grants them access to unique chip technology. This partnership enables the creation of custom miners optimized for immersion cooling, boosting operational efficiency and minimizing reliance on external suppliers like Bitmain, MicroBT, and Canaan.

MARA plans to shift 50% of its revenue away from Bitcoin mining to offshore operations over the next four years. This diversification aims to establish the company as a tech leader in converting energy into value. Modular data centers powered by flare gas are particularly useful for AI inference, providing the flexibility and scalability required to meet future demands.

In 2024, Bitcoin miners have taken different approaches. Companies like Core Scientific, IREN, and Terawulf, which diversified into AI and HPC services, have outpaced pure Bitcoin mining firms. Their success stems from capitalizing on the growing demand for AI data center hosting, backed by strong power contracts that position them well in a tech-driven market.

Listen to Fred Thiel,  the CEO of Marathon Digital Holdings, one of the largest Bitcoin mining companies on the planet on the Crypto Conversation podcast.