Core Scientific’s stock down 11% as Microsoft trims AI contract

Microsoft pulled contractual commitments tied to Core Scientific’s AI partner, rattling investor confidence, though the tech giant remains a major revenue source.

Bitcoin (BTC) miner Core Scientific saw its share price drop 10% on March 5 after Microsoft downsized contracts with CoreWeave, one of the firm’s business partners.

Core Scientific and CoreWeave announced a $1.2 billion data center deal last month to provide high-performance computing services for the latter’s artificial intelligence and cloud computing operations. Following last year’s Bitcoin halving, which cut mining rewards in half, miners like Core Scientific have explored new revenue sources, including offering HPC services to AI and other compute-heavy firms.

Following the news, CoreWeave unveiled its filing for an initial public offering. The filing stated that the firm seeks to raise $4 billion at a $35 billion valuation. CoreWeave’s S-1 registration, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, noted that “any negative changes in demand” from Microsoft would “adversely affect” its business, finances, and “future prospects.”

This week, the Financial Times reported that Microsoft withdrew some of its contracts with CoreWeave, citing dissatisfaction with certain deliveries. However, Microsoft still accounts for 65% of CoreWeave’s business and could pay the firm $10 billion for services under a multi-year agreement.

Core Scientific stock (NASDAQ: CORZ) fell up to 13% to $8.32 as investors assessed the new risk from Microsoft’s pullback and bankruptcy reorganization concluded. The firm hired ex-Morgan Stanley veteran Jim Nygaard to oversee its balance sheet as CFO during this new chapter.