Today: 13 October 2025
Subscribe
BlackRock’s GIP Poised for $38B AES Power Grab – AI-Fuelled Demand Sparks Takeover Frenzy
 ·  ·  ·  · 

BlackRock’s Bold AI & Crypto Gambits Pay Off Big: Bitcoin ETF Nears $100B, $40B Data-Center Deal Shakes Markets

by
12 October 2025
  • Crypto ETF Boom: BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) has exploded to roughly $90–95 billion AUM [1] [2] – making it the firm’s fastest-growing, most profitable fund. Bitcoin itself recently hit all-time highs (~$125K) in early Oct. 2025 [3], driving massive ETF inflows. Analysts are extremely bullish: Standard Chartered sees BTC at $135K “near term” (up to $200K in a bull case) and JPMorgan now targets $165K by year-end [4] [5]. Crypto strategist Eric Balchunas (Bloomberg Intelligence) notes IBIT may break into the top-10 U.S. ETFs by 2026 (it’s only “about $50 billion away”) [6].
  • AI-Themed ETF Surge: BlackRock’s new AI/tech ETF, iShares A.I. Innovation & Tech Active (BAI), launched in Oct 2024 and is up ~33% YTD [7]. It invests in giants like Nvidia, Broadcom, Microsoft and Meta, and carries a 0.55% fee [8]. Tony Kim, BlackRock’s tech equities head, says these funds help investors “seize outsized and overlooked opportunities across the full stack of AI and advanced technologies” [9]. The rally in AI stocks has buoyed BAI and related funds, echoing broader market enthusiasm for AI.
  • Data-Center Mega-Deals: BlackRock’s infrastructure arm (Global Infrastructure Partners) is negotiating colossal acquisitions in AI energy. Sources report GIP is near a ~$40 billion bid for Aligned Data Centers [10] – a Texas-based AI data-center company – one of the largest private data-center deals ever. GIP also already secured regulatory approval to buy utility Allete (~$6.2B) and is in talks to acquire power provider AES Corp for roughly $38–40 billion [11] [12]. These moves ensure BlackRock control over land and green power for hyperscale AI clusters.
  • Stock Gains & Analyst Optimism: BlackRock’s stock (NYSE: BLK) is trading near $1,130 (Oct. 12, 2025) – close to its 52-week high [13]. Despite a slight pullback, BLK is up about +13% in 2025 as investors applaud its new strategic bets [14]. Citigroup just raised its price target to $1,350 (from $1,200) and maintains a Buy rating [15] [16]. “Mad Money” host Jim Cramer added BLK to his watchlist, specifically citing the ~$40B data-center acquisition [17] [18]. In short, analysts now value BlackRock much higher, expecting its AI and crypto ventures to boost future growth [19] [20].

Deep Dive: BlackRock – the world’s largest asset manager (managing ~$12.5 trillion in client assets [21]) – has staked a huge claim in AI, crypto and energy. In late 2024 it launched two active ETFs focused on AI and tech, calling AI a “mega force with broad investing implications” [22] [23]. Those funds hold leading semiconductor and software companies, capturing the current AI euphoria. Simultaneously, its iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) capitalizes on the crypto craze. As CoinDesk notes, IBIT “has emerged as the asset manager’s most profitable ETF, with just under $100 billion in assets” less than two years after launch [24].

These ETF successes reflect record investor flows into crypto and tech. In the past week of “Uptober” frenzy, U.S. spot crypto ETFs saw nearly $5 billion inflows – over $3.5B into Bitcoin funds alone [25] – as Bitcoin topped $125K [26]. Bloomberg’s James Butterfill and other analysts point out that this surge “highlights growing recognition of digital assets as an alternative in times of uncertainty” [27]. Wall Street heavyweights have responded by lifting targets: Morgan Stanley now forecasts $165K Bitcoin by year-end, Standard Chartered eyes $200K if momentum continues [28] [29]. BlackRock’s CEO Larry Fink himself has warned that high rates and a weak dollar are pushing investors toward crypto, even suggesting a small BTC allocation for portfolios [30].

On the infrastructure side, BlackRock is using its Global Infrastructure Partners platform to lock in AI-related assets. The Aligned Data Centers deal – reported on Oct. 3 by Reuters – would give BlackRock control of 78 ultra-high-power data centers (∼5 GW capacity) tailored for AI workloads [31]. In parallel, GIP’s Allete and potential AES Corpacquisitions secure utility grids and renewable power for these centers [32] [33]. As one analyst notes, owning AES (which already supplies big tech) would let BlackRock directly profit from tech’s electricity demand. These megadeals are seen as strategic pivots: “Aligned gives BlackRock land and power capacity for hyperscale AI; AES would supply green power to Microsoft, Meta and Google data centers,” analysts say [34].

Forecast & Analysis: Industry experts view BlackRock’s moves as prescient. The combination of AI thematic funds, crypto adoption and energy plays has analysts “very bullish” on BLK’s growth [35]. Citi’s higher target reflects anticipated gains from these initiatives. In 2025 alone, BlackRock’s ETF and alternative inflows (tech, AI and spot crypto) are accelerating, making its upcoming Q3 earnings on Oct. 14 one to watch. Even conservative firms are adjusting: CNBC’s Bob Pisani notes BlackRock’s giant Aladdin tech platform and iShares ETF machine are “digital weapons” for market leadership.

Risks remain – e.g. BlackRock’s own filings warn Bitcoin is volatile – but the macro tailwinds (lower interest rates, loose Fed policy) are currently favoring risk assets. Overall, BlackRock’s strategy of weaving together AI innovation, crypto growth and energy infrastructure is drawing praise. As a TechStock² summary puts it, “BlackRock’s ecosystem is threading together AI, crypto and energy,” driving confidence that these “mega bets” will pay off [36] [37]. If the current trends hold, BLK looks set to benefit substantially from the tech and crypto rallies ahead [38] [39].

Sources: Industry reports and media coverage (Reuters, Bloomberg, CoinDesk, InsiderMonkey, TipRanks, TechStock²) have been used extensively for statistics, expert quotes and analysis [40] [41] [42] [43] [44] [45] [46], among others. All data is current as of Oct 12, 2025.

How Aladdin Ai works in Jio Blackrock Flexi cap Fund ? | Blackrock Bitcoin ETF | Best ETF in india
Watch this video on YouTube.

References

1. ts2.tech, 2. www.coindesk.com, 3. ts2.tech, 4. ts2.tech, 5. ts2.tech, 6. ts2.tech, 7. ts2.tech, 8. ts2.tech, 9. www.reuters.com, 10. www.reuters.com, 11. www.reuters.com, 12. ts2.tech, 13. ts2.tech, 14. ts2.tech, 15. ts2.tech, 16. www.tipranks.com, 17. ts2.tech, 18. ts2.tech, 19. ts2.tech, 20. ts2.tech, 21. news.bloomberglaw.com, 22. ts2.tech, 23. www.reuters.com, 24. www.coindesk.com, 25. ts2.tech, 26. ts2.tech, 27. ts2.tech, 28. ts2.tech, 29. ts2.tech, 30. ts2.tech, 31. www.reuters.com, 32. www.reuters.com, 33. ts2.tech, 34. ts2.tech, 35. ts2.tech, 36. ts2.tech, 37. ts2.tech, 38. www.bloomberg.com, 39. ts2.tech, 40. news.bloomberglaw.com, 41. ts2.tech, 42. ts2.tech, 43. www.reuters.com, 44. www.coindesk.com, 45. www.reuters.com, 46. www.tipranks.com

Tags:

Marcin Frąckiewicz Latest posts

CEO of TS2 Space and founder of TS2.tech. Expert in satellites, telecommunications, and emerging technologies, covering trends in space, AI, and connectivity.

  1. Retailers Quit Selling Xbox?! Target & Walmart Rumored to Ditch Xbox Stock
  2. BREAKING: Apple’s M5 Chip Revolution – New MacBook Pro, iPad Pro & Vision Pro Leaks Explode
  3. Apple’s Shocking AirPods Upgrade: Built-In Cameras, AI & a Supercharged H3 Chip
  4. 2025 Ultrabook Showdown: MacBook Air M4 vs. Dell XPS 13 vs. ASUS Zenbook S 14 – Battle of the Ultra-Thins

Related Articles

Binance Drops Bombshell: Sui-Backed TRUTH Token to Launch on Exclusive Alpha Platform
Previous Story

Crypto Carnage Shocker – Binance Pledges $1.9B+ in Payouts After $19B Selloff (and How to Buy Bitcoin Safely)

JetBlue Stock Crashes 41% – Is the Airline Industry About to Hit Turbulence?
Next Story

JetBlue Stock Crashes 41% – Is the Airline Industry About to Hit Turbulence?

Stock Market Today

  • Sorkin warns of 1929-style risk as AI boom sustains market highs
    October 12, 2025, 8:25 PM EDT. Financial journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin warns that today's Wall Street echoes the 1929 crash, with lofty stock prices and a surge powered by AI and tech. He cautions the current boom could be temporary or unsustainable, and that a crash may come, though he won't predict timing or depth. The piece recalls the Roaring '20s era of rampant speculation, buying on margin, and lenders expanding credit under the banner of democratizing access. Today, hundreds of billions flow into AI as policymakers and markets chase gains, prompting warnings of a possible bubble even as economic signals remain mixed.
  • Stock market echoes 1929 crash as Sorkin warns of potential crash amid AI-fueled rally
    October 12, 2025, 8:23 PM EDT. In a warning that echoes the 1929 run-up, financial journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin argues today's market shows dangerous similarities: surging AI-driven gains, lofty valuations, and rising speculation even as some economists question sustainability. While stocks push to record highs, Sorkin says the current boom could be artificial or just a temporary rally, and he cannot predict when or how deep a potential crash might be. The piece recalls the 1929 era's heavy borrowing and 'buying on margin,' contrasting that with today's high price-to-earnings levels and AI-driven bets. As traders weigh whether this is a lasting boom or a fragile surge, the risk of a sharp reversal remains in focus.
  • Sorkin Warns AI-Driven Boom Mirrors 1929 as Market Faces Imminent Crash
    October 12, 2025, 8:21 PM EDT. Financial journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin argues today's stock market mirrors the pre-crash 1929 era, with high valuations and a drift toward speculative trading driven by AI and technology. He cautions the boom could be artificial or unsustainable, and that a crash may be looming even if timing is unclear. The 1929 story featured buying on margin and "democratizing access" that left many ordinary investors overextended. Today, trillions in AI-related investments fuel record highs, raising worries of a bubble amid uncertain economics, even as the market's mood remains buoyant. Sorkin remains anxious but says a crash is coming-just not when or how deep.
  • Stock market echoes 1929 crash as Sorkin warns AI-fueled boom may be unsustainable
    October 12, 2025, 8:19 PM EDT. Financial journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin argues today's market resembles the pre-crash era of 1929, with record highs driven by an AI-led boom that may be unsustainable. He cautions he cannot predict timing or depth of a future crash, only that one is likely. The piece draws parallels to the Roaring Twenties, noting widespread speculation and borrowing that fed buying on margin and later collapse. While AI investments push stocks to new highs, some pros warn of a potential bubble amid signs of overheating. Sorkin remains uneasy but hopeful that the underlying tech advances could still power a lasting rise, provided risk controls tighten.
  • Stock market echoes 1929 crash as Sorkin warns of an impending downturn
    October 12, 2025, 8:17 PM EDT. Financial journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin compares today's market to the Roaring Twenties, warning that soaring AI and tech stocks may be masking unsustainable gains. He cautions a crash could be coming, though he can't predict timing or depth. While the market has lately rebounded even as some investors grow anxious about overvaluation, Sorkin notes a similar pattern to 1929: rampant speculation, easy credit, and a belief in perpetual gains. The 1929 era saw buying on margin and bankers quietly expanding lending; today, some pros warn of a potential bubble as records highs persist. The key question, he says, is whether the current boom is real or a sugar rush, and whether prices can be sustained.
Go toTop