[Bitcoin Mining Companies Require Approximately $50 Billion to Complete AI Infrastructure Projects, IREN Faces a $21.1 Billion Funding Gap] Odaily Planet Daily reports that publicly traded Bitcoin mining companies are estimated to need approximately $50 billion to complete their planned AI infrastructure projects. Among them, IREN, Riot Platforms, and HIVE Digital face funding gaps of approximately $21.1 billion, $7.2 billion, and $4.6 billion, respectively. As Bitcoin mining companies expand into AI and high-performance computing, borrowing costs vary depending on clients, contracts, and project completion paths. In June, IREN secured $3.65 billion in GPU financing at a blended interest rate of 6%; in August, it obtained an additional $2.4 billion in fixed-rate financing at a 9% interest rate. Financing arrangements may also include costs beyond interest. In one transaction involving Cipher Digital, Google agreed to backstop $1.4 billion in lease obligations and received warrants representing 5.4% equity in Cipher; if the warrants are exercised, the shareholding ratio of existing shareholders may be diluted. According to VanEck data, at the peak of the Bitcoin bull market last October, mining company debt grew by approximately 500% compared to the second quarter of 2024. Despite the weakening Bitcoin market, capital demand continues to rise as mining companies pivot to AI businesses. (Cointelegraph)