Cipher Mining Surges 19% $5.5B Amazon Web Services HPC Deal

Core Insights - Cipher Mining (CIFR) experienced a 19% stock increase following a $5.5 billion lease agreement with Amazon Web Services (AWS), indicating a strategic move into AI infrastructure [1] - The 15-year agreement will enable Cipher to provide 300 megawatts (MW) of power capacity to AWS by late 2026, with the initial phase commencing in July [2] - Cipher has gained majority control of a joint venture to construct a 1 gigawatt site in West Texas, named "Colchis," with construction expected to finish by 2028 [3] - The evolving role of crypto mining companies is highlighted, as they are increasingly supplying power and infrastructure to major tech firms pursuing AI initiatives [4] - IREN, another bitcoin miner, announced a $9.7 billion cloud computing deal with Microsoft, resulting in a stock increase of over 20% [5] - Cipher reported $72 million in Q3 revenue and adjusted earnings of $41 million, with total AI-hosting contracts amounting to approximately $8.5 billion [6] - CEO Tyler Page expressed confidence in Cipher's positioning to capitalize on opportunities arising from the growing power shortfall in the industry [7]