Bitcoin Jumps Near $88K as $20B Nvidia–Groq AI Deal Ignites Crypto Rally

Nvidia has signed a $20 billion non-exclusive licensing agreement with AI inference startup Groq, marking one of the largest AI...

Quick overview

  • Nvidia has entered a $20 billion licensing agreement with AI startup Groq to enhance AI inference technology.
  • The partnership aims to improve efficiency in AI deployment, emphasizing the importance of inference over raw computing power.
  • Following the announcement, Bitcoin experienced a slight increase, reflecting positive sentiment in digital assets.
  • AI-related cryptocurrencies saw significant gains as investors anticipated a convergence between AI and blockchain technologies.

Nvidia has signed a $20 billion non-exclusive licensing agreement with AI inference startup Groq, marking one of the largest AI infrastructure collaborations announced this year. The deal, confirmed on December 24, centers on scaling high-performance, low-cost AI inference technology, a segment increasingly critical as AI models move from training to real-world deployment.

Under the agreement, Groq’s inference technology will be integrated and expanded with Nvidia’s global ecosystem. Groq founder Jonathan Ross and President Sunny Madra will work closely with Nvidia to accelerate commercialization. Despite the partnership, Groq will remain independent, with Simon Edwards appointed CEO and GroqCloud continuing uninterrupted operations.

The strategic message is clear: AI growth is entering a phase where inference efficiency, not just raw compute power, determines competitiveness. Investors interpreted the announcement as a catalyst for broader AI adoption across cloud services, enterprise software, and decentralized computing networks.

Bitcoin Climbs Toward $88K on AI Optimism

The announcement triggered an immediate response in digital assets, led by Bitcoin. BTC rose nearly 1% intraday, touching $87,956 before stabilizing around $87,741, rebounding from earlier lows near $86,411.

Market participation remained cautious. Trading volumes stayed subdued ahead of a $23 billion Bitcoin options expiry, a factor keeping volatility contained. Analysts noted diverging capital flows: the U.S. emerged as a net Bitcoin seller, while Asian investors bought the dip, reinforcing the view that price action is currently driven more by sentiment and ETF flows than leverage.

AI Tokens Rebound as Capital Rotates

AI-linked crypto assets posted sharp gains as investors positioned for deeper AI-blockchain convergence:

  • Bittensor (TAO) surged over 6% to around $224
  • Chainlink (LINK) and Near Protocol (NEAR) rebounded on renewed demand
  • VIRTUAL gained 4%, while BAT jumped 11%
  • GRT, INJ, ICP, LPT, IP, and FET recorded strong inflows

The Nvidia–Groq deal reinforces a structural trend: as AI inference scales, demand for decentralized data, compute coordination, and verifiable AI outputs may rise. For crypto markets, this partnership provided a timely macro-tech catalyst—lifting Bitcoin sentiment while reigniting interest in AI-focused tokens.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR See More
Arslan Butt
Lead Markets Analyst – Multi-Asset (FX, Commodities, Crypto)
Arslan Butt serves as the Lead Commodities and Indices Analyst, bringing a wealth of expertise to the field. With an MBA in Behavioral Finance and active progress towards a Ph.D., Arslan possesses a deep understanding of market dynamics. His professional journey includes a significant role as a senior analyst at a leading brokerage firm, complementing his extensive experience as a market analyst and day trader. Adept in educating others, Arslan has a commendable track record as an instructor and public speaker. His incisive analyses, particularly within the realms of cryptocurrency and forex markets, are showcased across esteemed financial publications such as ForexCrunch, InsideBitcoins, and EconomyWatch, solidifying his reputation in the financial community.

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