Anthropic has unveiled a groundbreaking partnership with Google and Broadcom to develop multiple gigawatts of next-generation computing capacity, slated to come online in 2027. This significant commitment underscores the company's accelerated revenue growth, which has surged to a $30 billion annual run rate from $9 billion in 2025. The substantial demand for AI computing power is now directly competing with bitcoin mining for the same limited resources, including grid connections, land permits, cooling infrastructure, and affordable electricity.
According to a Cambridge tracker, bitcoin mining globally consumes approximately 13 to 25 gigawatts of continuous power, depending on hardware efficiency. Anthropic's acquisition of multiple gigawatts through this deal, in addition to its existing capacity across various platforms, highlights the rapid emergence of AI as a major competitor for the energy infrastructure that miners rely on. Moreover, other companies like OpenAI are also expanding their infrastructure, leading to a significant increase in electricity demand in the United States. As a result, bitcoin miners are faced with the decision to either mine bitcoin or rent their infrastructure to AI companies, with the latter option becoming increasingly appealing due to its predictable cash flows and potentially higher earnings.