New York, Jan 17, 2026, 04:57 EST — The market has closed.
Riot Platforms shares jumped Friday following the bitcoin miner’s announcement of its first data-center lease with Advanced Micro Devices, marking a move further into the AI infrastructure space. The stock climbed $2.66, roughly 16%, closing at $19.24 amid heavy trading.
This move is significant as Riot aims to transform its energy-intensive mining operations into a more stable business model, selling capacity to major computing clients. Securing a long-term deal with a blue-chip tenant could shift the focus away from bitcoin’s daily volatility and toward the company’s buildout and execution efforts.
Data-center supply is still tight in some U.S. regions, boosting the value of locations with existing grid access, water, and fiber. For bitcoin miners, this can translate into an extra revenue source when mining margins tighten.
Riot announced that AMD has committed to leasing 25 megawatts of “critical IT load” capacity — the power used by servers — at Riot’s Rockdale, Texas facility. The initial 10-year deal is projected to bring in about $311 million in contract revenue. Riot highlighted that options for expansion and extension could boost contract revenue to roughly $1 billion and increase capacity up to 200 MW. The initial setup will require around $89.8 million in retrofit costs. CEO Jason Les described the partnership as “a validation of Riot’s infrastructure,” while AMD CIO Hasmukh Ranjan emphasized the need for partners who “can match our pace and scale.” GlobeNewswire
Other U.S.-listed miners ended Friday on a positive note: Marathon Digital climbed roughly 6.6%, CleanSpark added around 5.0%, and Cipher Mining jumped about 7.3%. AMD shares gained close to 1.7%.
Bitcoin hovered near $95,231, slipping roughly 0.4% from the previous close. Shares of mining firms often move in step with bitcoin, since the cryptocurrency’s price influences the worth of the coins they generate and keep.
But the trade isn’t without risks. Riot faces execution challenges — hefty upfront capital costs, tight construction and commissioning timelines, plus the uncertainty that expansion plans might never become concrete orders. At the same time, its core mining operations are still vulnerable to fluctuating coin prices and shifting network economics.
U.S. markets will be closed Monday, Jan. 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, with trading restarting Tuesday, Jan. 20. Attention shifts to whether miners will announce additional leasing agreements, and if Riot can deliver on more than just its headline contract.
Riot plans to deliver to AMD in two stages: the first set for January 2026, wrapping up fully by May 2026. These timelines are poised to shape trading activity as the next U.S. session nears.
