CleanSpark Outmaneuvers Microsoft for Wyoming’s 100 MW AI Hub - Crypto Miner Becomes Infrastructure Titan

In a stunning power play that reshapes both crypto and tech landscapes, CleanSpark just schooled Microsoft on how to secure prime digital real estate.

The Wyoming Gambit

When Wyoming opened bidding for its coveted 100-megawatt AI development site, everyone expected Microsoft to waltz in with its trillion-dollar war chest. Instead, CleanSpark - yes, the Bitcoin mining operation - swooped in and claimed the prize. The crypto miner that Wall Street dismissed as an energy hog just transformed into infrastructure royalty.

From mining rigs to power grids, CleanSpark's pivot demonstrates what happens when blockchain meets brainpower. They didn't just buy equipment - they mastered energy markets, grid management, and now, artificial intelligence infrastructure. Meanwhile, traditional tech giants are left wondering how a 'crypto company' outmaneuvered them on their own turf.

Another reminder that in the digital gold rush, sometimes the shovel sellers become the land barons - while the 'serious investors' were busy shorting crypto stocks, the miners were buying the entire mountain.

Board campaigns for shareholder support

Robyn emphasized that the pay plan is tied to performance expectations, not simply a payout.The shareholder vote will take place at Tesla’s annual meeting on November 6.

said the outcome is not guaranteed because many investors wait until the last minute to cast their votes.About 30% of Tesla’s shareholders are retail holders, which is unusually high, so the board has been making direct efforts to encourage them to vote.

Robyn and other board members, including James Murdoch and former Chipotle CFO Jack Hartung, have been meeting with some of the largest institutional shareholders, including Vanguard Group, BlackRock Inc., and State Street Corp. Many investors often follow recommendations from proxy advisory firms.

Two of the largest, ISS and Glass Lewis, have recommended voting against the compensation plan. Robyn said:

“There is no guarantee. There is a large contingent of passive investors who actually follow their guidance, so we have to counter that with them directly.”

As part of the effort to encourage voting, Tesla placed its Optimus humanoid robot outside the Nasdaq building in New York.

The robot handed out Tesla-branded gummy candies, waved at people, and posed for pictures as crowds gathered. Videos were taken and shared widely online.

Succession planning and future business decisions

Tesla shares ROSE 2.9% at midday in New York, and the stock is up 12% this year, compared to a 17% increase in the S&P 500 Index.

Earlier this year, the company’s stock was affected by concerns over an aging vehicle lineup and public reactions to Elon Musk’s political activity.

The board believes that Elon Musk’s continued engagement is tied to Tesla’s artificial intelligence development and its future products.

If the proposal does not get enough support, Tesla has what Robyn described as Plan B. She said Tesla has a strong internal leadership group. One key figure is Tom Zhu, who oversees global production and operations in China.

Tom has worked across multiple divisions in Tesla, a deliberate MOVE to ensure internal candidates understand the company deeply. Robyn said Tesla has “a whole range of different alternatives out there,” including the possibility of splitting leadership roles among more than one person.

Another item in the upcoming meeting is a nonbinding vote on whether Tesla should invest in xAI, Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company.

Robyn said, “We haven’t invested in it” because the technology being built at xAI is different from what Tesla focuses on.

However, Robyn added that if shareholders approve the idea, it would start a review process to evaluate the related-party transaction before any investment happens.

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