JPMorgan issues new crypto stock ratings after MSCI backlash

Core Viewpoint - JPMorgan has upgraded its outlook for Bitcoin miners, specifically Cipher Mining and CleanSpark, while reducing expectations for several larger companies in the sector [1] Group 1: JPMorgan's Outlook on Bitcoin Miners - Cipher Mining was upgraded to Overweight, with its price target for December 2026 raised from $12 to $18 [5] - CleanSpark was also upgraded to Overweight, maintaining its price target at $14 [7] - Analysts noted that miners are entering a "higher-conviction" phase of high-performance computing (HPC) expansion, with over 600 MW of AI-linked deals signed with major tech companies since late September [5] Group 2: Market Reactions and Criticism - JPMorgan faced backlash from the crypto community after a research note suggested that MicroStrategy may be removed from MSCI indices due to its significant Bitcoin holdings [2][3] - The potential outflows from MSCI indices could reach up to $2.8 billion, and as much as $8.8 billion if other index providers follow suit [3] - Prominent Bitcoin users have called for a boycott of JPMorgan in response to the bank's actions [3] Group 3: Company-Specific Developments - Cipher Mining is positioned at the intersection of large-scale data infrastructure and the crypto mining ecosystem, operating industrial Bitcoin mining facilities that convert low-cost energy into computational power [6] - Analysts expect Cipher to secure 480 MW of critical-IT capacity by 2026, which would represent about 64% of its approved capacity [6] - CleanSpark has an estimated 200 MW of HPC potential at its recently acquired 285-MW site in Texas [7]