I Squared buy Cogent AI inference platform data centers for $225M for 53MW

I Squared Capital don agree buy $225M data center portfolio from Cogent Fiber make dem build AI inference platform. Di deal cover 10 facilities get about 53MW installed power and 259,000 sq. ft. colocation space for nine US markets, include Chicago, Atlanta, Phoenix, California, and Texas. I Squared plan put up to $1B total capital for AI inference platform upgrades, customer-led expansion, and possible additional acquisitions. Cogent Communications go use most of the proceeds to reduce debt. Timing: transaction still need regulatory approvals and dem expect am to close Q3 2026, with earliest possible close date June 12, 2026. Crypto-trader relevance: focus on AI inference platform mean demand dey shift to urban/edge-style capacity wey fit be retrofitted faster than traditional hyperscale sites. That fit put pressure on older, less-flexible inventory—possibly include space wey dem dey use before for crypto mining—if rack space and power dem reallocate to higher-margin AI tenants. Key risks include expensive, complex retrofits for high-density AI workloads and possible local power/grid constraints (including potential moratoriums on new data center construction). Overall, the news more about infrastructure reallocation than immediate catalyst for token prices, but e fit shape long-term sentiment around miners wey dey face capacity and power limits.