Key Highlights
- Core Scientific will sell nearly all of its 2,537 BTC holdings in Q1 2026 to fund AI colocation expansion.
- Other miners like Riot, Cango, and Bitdeer are also selling Bitcoin to cover costs and strategic investments.
- Bitcoin trades around $68,000 as miners shift from holding to monetizing reserves for liquidity and growth.
Core Scientific (NASDAQ: CORZ), a U.S.-based blockchain infrastructure and Bitcoin mining company providing high-performance computing and AI data center services, said it expects to sell more than 2,500 Bitcoin from its holdings in the first quarter of 2026.
The company plans to use the proceeds to increase liquidity and fund capital expenditures for its high-density AI compute colocation expansion, according to its annual report.
At the end of 2025, Core Scientific held 2,537 Bitcoin with a carrying fair value of about $222 million, based on an average price of $101,639 per Bitcoin. This was a significant rise from the 256 Bitcoin it held at the end of 2024. All of the 2025 holdings were mined by the company itself.
Moving from holding Bitcoin to selling
Throughout 2025, Core Scientific mostly retained the Bitcoin it mined instead of selling to cover operating expenses. This strategy allowed the company to build a reserve that grew almost tenfold year over year.
The 2026 filing shows a shift in strategy. The company now expects to sell nearly all of its Bitcoin holdings, though the timing and amount will depend on market conditions and liquidity needs. The report did not specify if any sales had already taken place at the time of filing.
Other miners following the trend
Core Scientific is not alone. Other publicly traded miners have taken similar steps to sell Bitcoin and fund new initiatives:
Last month, Bitdeer Technologies Group sold all its Bitcoin and reduced its treasury to zero. The company said the sales were needed to increase cash on hand and fund infrastructure projects.
Riot Platforms sold 1,818 Bitcoin in December 2025, generating approximately $161.6 million at an average net price of $88,870 per coin. The company said the proceeds were used to cover operational costs and support its expansion into AI and high-performance computing. As of December 31, 2025, Riot held 18,005 Bitcoin in its reserves.
Cango Inc. sold 4,451 Bitcoin for roughly $305 million to pay down debt and fund its move toward AI-focused infrastructure.
Why miners are selling Bitcoin
Miners are selling Bitcoin for several reasons instead of holding it:
1. Rising Costs
Running a mining operation costs more now because energy bills and maintenance are higher. Selling Bitcoin gives companies cash to pay for daily operations.
2. AI and HPC Expansion
Many mining companies are using part of their facilities for AI workloads and high-performance computing. These projects need a lot of money upfront, and selling Bitcoin provides that cash.
3. Liquidity Needs
Bitcoin prices can go up or down quickly, and holding a lot of BTC can be risky. Companies sell some of their Bitcoin to make sure they have cash for operations and future growth.
Bitcoin is currently trading around $68,000. The price has gone up from earlier lows but is still below its previous highs. For companies like Core Scientific, selling Bitcoin helps pay for capital projects, reduces financial risk, and supports a move into AI and data center infrastructure.
This trend shows that miners are no longer just keeping Bitcoin as an investment. They are actively using their holdings to fund operations, expansion, and new business directions beyond cryptocurrency mining.
Also Read: Ethereum Tumbles Below $1,900 as Vitalik Sells Millions in ETH
