Starboard Value Urges Riot Platforms to Accelerate Transition
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 21 hours ago
0mins
Should l Buy RIOT?
Activist investor Starboard Value is asking Riot Platforms to speed up its transition from Bitcoin miner to a data center company that could house hyperscaler tenants, Bloomberg's Liana Baker reports. Starboard views Riot's sites as attractive U.S. locations for high-performance computing and artificial intelligence data centers, with 1.7 gigawatts of fully available power, according to a letter reviewed by the publication. Starboard said that if Riot can monetize its power in line with recent transactions, it could generate more than $1.6B in annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
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Analyst Views on RIOT
Wall Street analysts forecast RIOT stock price to rise
9 Analyst Rating
9 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 14.650
Low
20.00
Averages
27.00
High
42.00
Current: 14.650
Low
20.00
Averages
27.00
High
42.00
About RIOT
Riot Platforms, Inc. is a Bitcoin mining and digital infrastructure company. The Company has Bitcoin mining operations in central Texas and Kentucky, and electrical engineering and fabrication operations in Denver, Colorado, and Houston, Texas. It operates a Bitcoin-driven infrastructure platform. Its segments include Bitcoin Mining and Engineering. The Bitcoin Mining segment is engaged in Bitcoin mining activities. The Engineering segment designs and manufacturers power distribution equipment and custom engineered electrical products. This segment also provides electricity distribution product design, manufacturing, and installation services primarily focused on large-scale commercial and governmental customers and serves clients across a range of markets including data center, power generation, utility, water, industrial, and alternative energy. It is also focused on developing a portion of its power capacity for artificial intelligence (AI)/ high-performance computing (HPC) uses.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Viking Global Makes Bold $157M Bet on Riot Platforms Amid Crypto Bull Cycle
- New Investment Position: In Q4 2025, Viking Global initiated a $157 million position in Riot Platforms, indicating strong confidence in the ongoing crypto bull cycle and anticipated price increases ahead.
- Increased Risk Appetite: Unlike diversified crypto investments, Riot offers pure mining exposure, reflecting Viking's willingness to increase investments in risk-sensitive assets, particularly in environments characterized by strong liquidity and high investor risk appetite.
- Market Trend Alignment: This investment aligns with a broader risk-on shift indicated in Viking's latest 13F filing, showcasing interest in economically sensitive companies and global financials, emphasizing a focus on growth and cyclical opportunities.
- Continued Bullish Signals: Viking's stake in Riot suggests that institutional investors maintain strong confidence in cryptocurrencies, especially as Bitcoin prices hover near historical highs, highlighting ongoing interest in digital assets.
See More
Riot Platforms Stock Rises as Activist Investor Pressures Management
- Shareholder Pressure: Riot Platforms' stock closed nearly 6% higher on Wednesday, primarily driven by activist investor Starboard Value's letter to CEO Jason Les and Chairman Benjamin Yi, aimed at urging the company to pursue its transformation strategy more vigorously.
- Transformation Strategy: While Starboard praised Riot's efforts in artificial intelligence and high-performance computing hosting services, it pointed out that the company's stock price has lagged behind other miners transitioning into these sectors, stressing the need for more material deals to be completed promptly.
- Market Reaction: Although Riot has not publicly responded to Starboard's letter, the market's optimistic sentiment regarding its future potential has significantly increased, with investors eager for the company's diversification into AI and HPC sectors.
- Investor Confidence: Starboard's pressure indicates that activist investors have limited patience for management, and if Riot can successfully diversify, it is expected to capitalize on market opportunities, driving future growth.
See More
Activist Investor Urges Riot to Accelerate Transformation
- Shareholder Pressure: Activist investor Starboard Value sent a letter to Riot CEO Jason Les and Chairman Benjamin Yi, urging management to intensify efforts in adjacent business activities to match the success of other crypto miners and improve the company's stock performance.
- Stock Price Surge: Riot Platforms' stock closed nearly 6% higher on Wednesday, not due to Bitcoin price movements but rather driven by the proactive actions of Starboard, indicating market confidence in the company's transformation potential.
- Transformation Strategy: Riot is leveraging its existing assets to expand into artificial intelligence and high-performance computing hosting services; while Starboard commended management's efforts, it highlighted that Riot's stock performance in these areas lags behind peers, stressing the need for expedited deal-making to secure higher-quality transactions.
- Market Potential: The pressure from activist investors is not surprising, as Starboard is known for applying pressure; Riot's leadership may strive to demonstrate progress in attracting investments and diversifying its business to capitalize on this promising market opportunity.
See More
Goldman Sachs CEO Advocates for Cryptocurrency Regulation
- Importance of Regulatory Framework: Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon emphasized the critical need for a rules-based system for cryptocurrency and related financial instruments during his remarks at Davos, asserting that such a framework is essential for ensuring the safety and stability of U.S. markets and promoting long-term market health.
- Legislative Stalemate: Solomon's comments come as a Senate committee advances a cryptocurrency market bill aimed at establishing a national regulatory structure, yet the bill has stalled over disputes regarding whether digital asset companies can offer customer rewards, highlighting the complexities and challenges in the legislative process.
- Goldman's Market Positioning: While Solomon expressed a
See More
Starboard Value Urges Riot to Transition to AI Market
- Strategic Transition Opportunity: Starboard Value LP, a significant shareholder of Riot Platforms, is urging the company to swiftly pivot from bitcoin mining to the AI and high-performance computing (AI/HPC) data center market, emphasizing the potential of this transition, particularly in light of a recent deal with AMD.
- Key Agreement Details: Riot's agreement with AMD involves an initial lease of 25 CIT MW, with potential expansion to 200 CIT MW, generating $311 million in revenue over the next decade with an 80% EBITDA margin, indicating a robust financial outlook.
- Resource Advantage: Riot's data center locations in Corsicana and Rockdale, Texas, offer 1.7 GW of available power, positioning the company as a strong contender in the AI/HPC hosting market, capable of attracting top-tier tenants and enhancing its equity value.
- Internal Improvements and Governance: Riot's transition also includes internal enhancements such as new hires and the resolution of a lawsuit, which will free up capacity for development, improve governance, and operational efficiency, further solidifying its market position in AI/HPC.
See More
Riot Platforms Urged to Accelerate AI Transition
Shift in Focus: Riot Platforms is transitioning from crypto mining to artificial intelligence data centers, following a trend among competitors in the industry.
Investor Pressure: An activist investor is urging Riot Platforms to accelerate its shift towards AI data centers.
See More
Viking Global Makes Bold $157M Bet on Riot Platforms Amid Crypto Bull Cycle
- New Investment Position: In Q4 2025, Viking Global initiated a $157 million position in Riot Platforms, indicating strong confidence in the ongoing crypto bull cycle and anticipated price increases ahead.
- Increased Risk Appetite: Unlike diversified crypto investments, Riot offers pure mining exposure, reflecting Viking's willingness to increase investments in risk-sensitive assets, particularly in environments characterized by strong liquidity and high investor risk appetite.
- Market Trend Alignment: This investment aligns with a broader risk-on shift indicated in Viking's latest 13F filing, showcasing interest in economically sensitive companies and global financials, emphasizing a focus on growth and cyclical opportunities.
- Continued Bullish Signals: Viking's stake in Riot suggests that institutional investors maintain strong confidence in cryptocurrencies, especially as Bitcoin prices hover near historical highs, highlighting ongoing interest in digital assets.
See More
Riot Platforms Stock Rises as Activist Investor Pressures Management
- Shareholder Pressure: Riot Platforms' stock closed nearly 6% higher on Wednesday, primarily driven by activist investor Starboard Value's letter to CEO Jason Les and Chairman Benjamin Yi, aimed at urging the company to pursue its transformation strategy more vigorously.
- Transformation Strategy: While Starboard praised Riot's efforts in artificial intelligence and high-performance computing hosting services, it pointed out that the company's stock price has lagged behind other miners transitioning into these sectors, stressing the need for more material deals to be completed promptly.
- Market Reaction: Although Riot has not publicly responded to Starboard's letter, the market's optimistic sentiment regarding its future potential has significantly increased, with investors eager for the company's diversification into AI and HPC sectors.
- Investor Confidence: Starboard's pressure indicates that activist investors have limited patience for management, and if Riot can successfully diversify, it is expected to capitalize on market opportunities, driving future growth.
See More
Activist Investor Urges Riot to Accelerate Transformation
- Shareholder Pressure: Activist investor Starboard Value sent a letter to Riot CEO Jason Les and Chairman Benjamin Yi, urging management to intensify efforts in adjacent business activities to match the success of other crypto miners and improve the company's stock performance.
- Stock Price Surge: Riot Platforms' stock closed nearly 6% higher on Wednesday, not due to Bitcoin price movements but rather driven by the proactive actions of Starboard, indicating market confidence in the company's transformation potential.
- Transformation Strategy: Riot is leveraging its existing assets to expand into artificial intelligence and high-performance computing hosting services; while Starboard commended management's efforts, it highlighted that Riot's stock performance in these areas lags behind peers, stressing the need for expedited deal-making to secure higher-quality transactions.
- Market Potential: The pressure from activist investors is not surprising, as Starboard is known for applying pressure; Riot's leadership may strive to demonstrate progress in attracting investments and diversifying its business to capitalize on this promising market opportunity.
See More
Goldman Sachs CEO Advocates for Cryptocurrency Regulation
- Importance of Regulatory Framework: Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon emphasized the critical need for a rules-based system for cryptocurrency and related financial instruments during his remarks at Davos, asserting that such a framework is essential for ensuring the safety and stability of U.S. markets and promoting long-term market health.
- Legislative Stalemate: Solomon's comments come as a Senate committee advances a cryptocurrency market bill aimed at establishing a national regulatory structure, yet the bill has stalled over disputes regarding whether digital asset companies can offer customer rewards, highlighting the complexities and challenges in the legislative process.
- Goldman's Market Positioning: While Solomon expressed a
See More
Starboard Value Urges Riot to Transition to AI Market
- Strategic Transition Opportunity: Starboard Value LP, a significant shareholder of Riot Platforms, is urging the company to swiftly pivot from bitcoin mining to the AI and high-performance computing (AI/HPC) data center market, emphasizing the potential of this transition, particularly in light of a recent deal with AMD.
- Key Agreement Details: Riot's agreement with AMD involves an initial lease of 25 CIT MW, with potential expansion to 200 CIT MW, generating $311 million in revenue over the next decade with an 80% EBITDA margin, indicating a robust financial outlook.
- Resource Advantage: Riot's data center locations in Corsicana and Rockdale, Texas, offer 1.7 GW of available power, positioning the company as a strong contender in the AI/HPC hosting market, capable of attracting top-tier tenants and enhancing its equity value.
- Internal Improvements and Governance: Riot's transition also includes internal enhancements such as new hires and the resolution of a lawsuit, which will free up capacity for development, improve governance, and operational efficiency, further solidifying its market position in AI/HPC.
See More
Riot Platforms Urged to Accelerate AI Transition
Shift in Focus: Riot Platforms is transitioning from crypto mining to artificial intelligence data centers, following a trend among competitors in the industry.
Investor Pressure: An activist investor is urging Riot Platforms to accelerate its shift towards AI data centers.
See More
