From Bitcoin Mining to AI Compute: A New Era with Kevin Dede
Bitcoin mining is evolving — fast. What started as a niche, energy-intensive operation is now becoming something much bigger: a gateway to decentralized compute, AI infrastructure, and even energy innovation. In our latest episode of Financial Fox, Stefania Barbaglio sat down with Kevin Dede, Managing Director of Equity Research at HC Wainwright, to unpack how the sector is shifting and what it all means for investors, miners, and the future of digital infrastructure.
Kevin was the first Wall Street analyst to cover crypto and Bitcoin mining, so it was a real pleasure to get his take on where things are headed — and why we should all be paying attention.
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Proud Partners: HIVE Digital Technologies
Before diving in, We want to give a shoutout to HIVE Digital Technologies Ltd., the sponsor of this episode and one of the most forward-thinking companies in the mining space. HIVE was the first publicly traded Bitcoin miner and is now leading the charge into the AI era with a strategy that blends Bitcoin mining, HPC (high-performance computing), and green energy.
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So, What’s Changing in Bitcoin Mining?
According to Kevin, the metrics that matter are changing. It’s no longer just about hash rate and mining rewards. Today, savvy investors are looking at:
• Access to low-cost, sustainable power
• Capital efficiency
• Regulatory landscape and jurisdictional stability
These factors are shaping how analysts — and the market — value mining companies.
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AI Meets Bitcoin Mining: The Rise of the Hybrid Model
One of the most interesting parts of theconversation was around the hybrid model: combining Bitcoin mining with AI compute. It’s a smart pivot — and one that companies like HIVE are already executing on.
Kevin called it the “mullet data center” strategy: AI in the front, Bitcoin mining in the back. Catchy, right? But it’s more than a soundbite — it’s a whole new way of thinking about infrastructure, where miners diversify revenue by using their compute power for AI and other high-demand workloads.
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Energy Innovation: Miners as Grid Stabilizers?
Here’s something you might not expect — miners helping to stabilize energy grids. Kevin broke down how flexible mining operations can absorb excess energy, especially from renewable sources, making them valuable partners in energy ecosystems. That’s a huge shift from the usual narrative of miners simply consuming tons of power.
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What’s Going On in Washington?
Of course, they had atalk about regulation. From the SEC and CFTC to evolving legislation, U.S. policies are a big wildcard for the future of crypto mining. Kevin touched on how Trump-era policies impacted the space and what might be coming next. They also got into the tax implications for miners and the need for smarter regulatory frameworks that don’t stifle innovation.
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The Global Race for Decentralized Compute
As AI adoption explodes, there’s a growing need for decentralized compute power around the world. Kevin talked about the global opportunity — from North America to emerging markets — and what business models are most likely to thrive.
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Watch the Full Episode:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwoRLP70VyU
Final Thoughts
The Bitcoin mining world is at a turning point. It’s not just about minting coins anymore — it’s about innovation, infrastructure, and intelligent growth. And with companies like HIVE Digital Technologies leading the charge with a sustainable and AI-forward strategy, the future looks incredibly promising.
If you’re an investor, builder, or just curious about where crypto and AI intersect, this conversation is a must-watch.
Thanks again to Kevin Dede for joining us — and to HIVE for being a visionary force in this space.
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