Hut 8 Corp. Surges on Record‑Setting AI Data‑Center Deal and Renewed Market Interest

The Canadian‑listed mining operator Hut 8 Corp. (NASDAQ: HUT) has experienced a dramatic rally in late‑December 2025, propelled by a $7 billion AI data‑center lease with Fluidstack, Google‑backed financing, and an influx of speculative option activity. The company’s share price leapt from a close of $40.16 on 16 Dec 2025 to a peak exceeding $50 on 18 Dec 2025, while its 52‑week range—$10.04 to $57.29—has been compressed by the recent gains.

AI‑First Strategy Gains Traction

At the heart of the rally is the partnership with Anthropic and Fluidstack to construct a large‑scale AI infrastructure at River Bend, Louisiana. The deal, valued at roughly $7 billion, spans 15 years and commences with 245 MW of compute capacity, with optional expansion to 1,000 MW. The lease is backed by Google, giving the arrangement an additional layer of financial credibility. Analysts note that the project is intended to support Anthropic’s GPU‑heavy workloads, positioning Hut 8 as a critical player in the burgeoning AI data‑center market.

Key points of the deal

  • Lease value: $7 billion over 15 years.
  • Initial capacity: 245 MW, with potential expansion.
  • Partners: Fluidstack (AI infrastructure provider) and Google (financial backer).
  • Target client: Anthropic (AI research organization).

The announcement was met with a 25 % surge in the stock price, reflecting investor optimism that Hut 8’s mining assets could be repurposed to meet the high‑performance demands of AI workloads. The company’s shift towards AI is seen as a strategic diversification that could hedge against volatility in cryptocurrency markets.

Options Volume Signals Market Sentiment

Concurrently, traders have injected significant speculative capital into Hut 8’s equity through call options. On 18 Dec 2025, 121,874 call contracts were purchased—an increase of 204 % over the typical daily volume of 40,139 calls. This spike indicates heightened bullish sentiment among professional investors and suggests that they anticipate further upside in the near term, possibly driven by the AI lease and a recovering crypto environment.

Bitcoin’s Surge Amplifies Crypto‑Linked Equity Rally

Bitcoin’s price action has also played a supportive role. The cryptocurrency crossed the $90,000 threshold, jumping from $85,966.62 to over $90,000 in a single hour—an increase of more than 2.8 %. Such a rally typically lifts the broader basket of crypto‑linked stocks, and Hut 8 was among the top gainers. The price surge has bolstered confidence in mining operators, reinforcing the narrative that a robust crypto ecosystem can coexist with a growing AI infrastructure footprint.

Market Capitalization and Valuation Context

Despite the recent upside, Hut 8 remains modest in scale, with a market capitalization of approximately $4.34 billion. The company trades at a price‑earnings ratio of 28, reflecting a premium that is common for firms positioned at the intersection of mining and emerging AI infrastructure. The 52‑week high of $57.29, reached earlier in the year, underscores the volatility that investors should anticipate.

Analyst Outlook

Several analysts have reaffirmed positive ratings:

  • BTIG reiterated a Buy recommendation with a $55 price target, suggesting that the current rally could be sustainable if the AI data‑center partnership materializes as projected.
  • Other commentators, including those at the Motley Fool, have highlighted the strategic pivot and its potential to unlock new revenue streams beyond traditional mining.

Conclusion

Hut 8 Corp.’s recent surge illustrates a convergence of two high‑growth sectors: cryptocurrency mining and artificial intelligence infrastructure. The $7 billion lease with Fluidstack, Google’s financial backing, and an active options market have collectively propelled the stock to new heights. While the company’s valuation remains premium, its diversified revenue model and strategic positioning may offer a compelling narrative for investors seeking exposure to both crypto and AI markets.