Bitcoin mining companies shift at year-end: significantly selling 2,200 BTC, potentially accelerating AI deployment

【Blockchain Rhythm】An interesting phenomenon worth noting. Listed mining company Riot Platforms has been quite active in the past two months—selling a total of 2,201 Bitcoins in November and December, converting nearly $200 million into real cash.

The changes in their holdings tell a more revealing story. By the end of the year, they still held 18,005 Bitcoins, which, at current prices, are worth about $1.65 billion. But this number is down from 19,324 in October, a decrease of over 1,300 Bitcoins. It’s important to note that this increase is smaller than the growth seen in the same period last year—at the end of last year, their holdings were only 293 Bitcoins more than the year before.

The real turning point will be in 2024. At that time, Riot Platforms didn’t sell a single Bitcoin—in fact, they continued accumulating, increasing their Bitcoin reserves by over $500 million. VanEck Digital Asset Director Matthew Sigel offered an intriguing interpretation of this stark contrast: the mining company is shifting its strategic focus toward artificial intelligence.

From purely mining and holding Bitcoin to now strategically selling—what could this shift signify? Perhaps it’s time to reflect on how the roles of traditional mining companies are evolving amid this wave of AI enthusiasm.