Core Insights - Microsoft has entered into a five-year agreement worth $9.7 billion with Australian data center operator IREN to access advanced Nvidia chips, addressing its long-standing computing power shortage [1] - Dell will supply IREN with equipment based on Nvidia's GB300 chips, with a procurement value of $5.8 billion, which will ultimately be utilized by Microsoft [1] - Following the announcement, IREN's stock surged over 20% in pre-market trading, while Dell's shares rose by 5% due to securing the core equipment supply order [1] Company Developments - IREN, founded in 2018, transitioned from a pure Bitcoin mining company to an AI infrastructure provider starting in 2023, pausing its mining capacity expansion to focus on AI business [1][2] - As of October 31, IREN's stock has increased over sixfold this year, with a market capitalization exceeding $16.5 billion [2] - IREN operates multiple data centers in North America with a total installed capacity of 2,910 megawatts, powered entirely by renewable energy [2] Strategic Initiatives - The Nvidia processors will be deployed in phases at IREN's 750-megawatt facility in Childress, Texas, by 2026, alongside the construction of new data centers utilizing liquid cooling technology [2] - Microsoft will pay 20% of the total agreement price upfront, primarily to cover IREN's $5.8 billion hardware procurement agreement with Dell [2] - Microsoft CFO Amy Hood indicated that the AI computing power shortage is expected to persist at least until mid-2026, contrary to earlier expectations of improvement by the end of this year [2]