BlackRock buys Aligned for $40 billion: a new race in AI data centers

BlackRock, through its subsidiary Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), is preparing to acquire the company Aligned Data Centers behind $ 40 billion, making the deal one of the largest in the artificial intelligence space in 2025. According to sources close to the negotiations, the agreement has not yet been signed, but its finalization is expected in the coming days.

Aligned operates 78 data centers in the United States and South America, with a total design capacity of 5 GWThe company has already attracted the attention of major investors - in January it received $ 12 billion, and recently participated in a meeting with President Trump dedicated to accelerating the development of AI infrastructure in the country.

An investment fund is mentioned among the possible competitors of the deal. AGX, Related to Mubadala Investment Co., which is also interested in Aligned and may submit an alternative offer. Despite this, sources claim that GIP is in the final stages of negotiations and expects to close the deal in the coming days.

If the deal is completed, Aligned will become part of the GIP portfolio along with the company it already owns CyrusOneIn addition, GIP is considering the possibility of acquiring energy company AES Corp., indicating a growing interest in controlling AI infrastructure.

As investment in AI computing continues to soar, this deal follows a series of significant investments: OpenAI invested $6,4 billion in CoreWeave, and also signed $300 billion contract with Oracle и $100 billion deal with Nvidia for the deployment of 10 GW data centers.

Deal between BlackRock and Aligned could significantly change the balance of power in the AI ​​infrastructure market, where scale and speed of investment are becoming key factors for success.