AI and Bitcoin Data Centers Raise $33B in High-Yield Debt

[cryptohog]

The AI and data center expansion — increasingly fueled by former Bitcoin miners — is being financed through billions in high-yield bond issuance. According to industry data, companies tied to AI infrastructure have raised roughly $33 billion in long-term senior notes over the past year, excluding convertible debt. However, this capital comes at a premium: while traditional utilities borrow at 4%–5%, AI- and crypto-linked firms are paying closer to 7%–9%, reflecting how lenders view the sector’s elevated growth risk.

Several digital asset miners that pivoted toward AI infrastructure are among the higher-paying issuers. CoreWeave raised debt at 9.25% and 9% in 2025, while Applied Digital, TeraWulf, and Cipher Mining also tapped markets at elevated rates. The pricing signals that lenders still categorize AI and Bitcoin-linked infrastructure as “growth credit,” rather than the lower-risk profile typically assigned to regulated energy assets.

[cryptoenthusiast]

paying 9% interest to build ai data centers nothing says sustainable like vibes and leverage