Microsoft Scraps AI Data Centers: Miners’ Stocks Fall

In late March 2025, multiple outlets reported that Microsoft canceled plans to construct large-scale AI data centers in the US and Europe due to concerns about potential capacity oversupply. Shares of major mining firms such as Core Scientific and Marathon Digital dropped 4–12% following the announcement. Analysts link the dip to investor unease, as several miners had planned partnerships with AI cloud providers.

Financial statements show some mining companies had signed preliminary deals, expecting Microsoft’s AI projects to help offset the 2024 Bitcoin “halving” risks. The proposed partnerships were valued at approximately $200 mln. Microsoft’s withdrawal could push these miners to look for alternative ways to utilize their data centers, affecting short-term revenue.

Experts note that demand for AI computing resources remains strong, but the tech giant’s decision indicates a shift in risk assessment. Miners may now have to attract different clients or expand their own AI initiatives to adapt to a rapidly evolving market.