- Core Scientific plans to sell nearly all 2,500 BTC in early 2026 to fund AI-focused expansion and boost liquidity.
- Shift from hoarding to selling shows miners prioritize cash flow and AI investments over holding crypto for price gains.
- Competitors like Riot and Bitdeer also sell BTC, signaling a growing trend of monetization to support tech infrastructure.
Bitcoin miner Core Scientific is set to sell almost all of its bitcoin holdings in early 2026. The company owns 2,537 bitcoins, worth $222 million at the end of 2025. The sale is meant to fund its high-density AI colocation projects, which require a lot of computing power.
In its annual report, the company noted, “During 2026, we currently expect to monetize substantially all of our bitcoin holdings, subject to market conditions, to enhance liquidity and fund our planned capital expenditures and other cash requirements.”
This move is a departure from the company’s strategy in 2025, in which it planned to accumulate rather than actively sell its holdings. As of December 2025, Core Scientific’s reserves were up nearly ten times from 256 in 2024.
Most of this supply came directly from the company’s self-mining operations. However, the upcoming sale reflects a growing trend among publicly traded miners. Several competitors, including Cango and Riot, have recently liquidated large portions of their bitcoin treasuries to support AI and data center expansion.
Shift from Accumulation to Monetization
This pivot by Core Scientific illustrates the shift in the priorities of the crypto mining industry. Instead of holding the cryptocurrency for future price appreciation, the focus has shifted towards liquidity for growth.
“The majority of sales of its bitcoin reserves would occur during the first quarter, though the timing and amount will depend on market conditions and liquidity needs,” the company stated. Therefore, one can expect the market participation of the investors.
The move also reflects a broader trend in crypto mining. For example, Bitdeer has sold off all its bitcoin and redirected its focus toward AI and data center projects.
Similarly, Riot sold 5,363 bitcoin in 2025, bringing in $535.5 million to fund operations and growth. These actions don’t just provide cash—they also show how miners are increasingly prioritizing AI-driven services over just holding cryptocurrency.
