Riot Platforms Sells Bitcoin to Fund AI Data Center Expansion, Says VanEck

Riot Platforms (RIOT), the publicly traded bitcoin miner and data center operator, boosted its year-end bitcoin sales, offloading 1,818 BTC ($161.6 million) and 383 BTC ($37 million) in November. The moves reduced Riot’s total bitcoin holdings to 18,005 BTC by the close of 2025.

Matthew Sigel, head of digital assets research at VanEck, noted that the sales may be tied to Riot’s AI infrastructure ambitions. He observed that the amount sold “roughly equals the full capex Riot has outlined for the first 112 MW core/shell build at Corsicana, set for completion in Q1 2027.” Essentially, a single season of BTC sales could fully fund Phase 1 of the company’s AI data center pivot.

Sigel also highlighted a growing connection between the AI sector and bitcoin, pointing out that miners are increasingly selling BTC to finance AI-related capital expenditures, particularly in tighter credit environments. This trend may have been a contributing factor to bitcoin’s broader decline over 2025.

On Tuesday, Riot shares slipped 2%, while bitcoin retreated 1.2% to $92,500.