Hut 8 Secures $7B Google-Backed Lease to Build Louisiana AI Data Center

Hut 8 Corp., a well-known Bitcoin mining and energy infrastructure company, has secured a massive $7 billion lease agreement to build a large artificial intelligence data center in Louisiana. The 15-year deal includes financial backing from Google, signaling growing confidence in Hut 8’s shift beyond traditional crypto mining. The announcement highlights how former mining firms now play a growing role in the global AI infrastructure race.

The project will rise at Hut 8’s River Bend campus in West Feliciana Parish. It will deliver 245 megawatts of AI-focused compute power, with the first phase expected to finish by early 2027. Furthermore, the agreement positions Hut 8 as a long-term landlord for AI compute customers rather than only a mining operator.

Google’s Role Strengthens Investor Confidence

Google, which operates under Alphabet, will not directly run the data center. However, it will backstop the lease obligations, giving lenders added confidence. As a result, major financial institutions like JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs are supporting the project’s financing.

This structure reduces risk for Hut 8 while ensuring steady long-term revenue. Therefore, the deal appeals to both infrastructure investors and AI-focused partners seeking stable power and space.

Partners Aim to Scale AI Compute Quickly

Hut 8 is not working alone on this expansion. The company partnered with AI developer Anthropic and infrastructure firm Fluidstack to scale computing capacity efficiently. Together, they plan to support heavy GPU workloads required for modern AI models.

Key highlights of the project include:

• A 245-megawatt AI data center with room for future expansion
• Long-term lease stability supported by Google
• Use of Hut 8’s existing power and energy expertise

Over the past year, Hut 8 has reshaped its business strategy. Earlier in 2025, it separated its Bitcoin mining arm into a new company called American Bitcoin. This move allowed Hut 8 to focus on AI data centers and high-performance computing.

Investors reacted quickly. Shares of Hut 8 rose following the announcement, reflecting optimism about the company’s future. Industry analysts believe this model could inspire other crypto miners to pivot toward AI infrastructure as demand continues to surge.